Lot 155

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Description:

C.P. Huntington, Vanderbilt II and Vanderbilt III, Three TLS

A group of three typed letters signed by industrialist Collis P. Huntington and two members of the prominent Vanderbilt family. The letters span the years 1893 to 1923. All have flattened mail folds and varying degrees of toning. All are boldly signed. The group includes the following:

Collis P. Huntington TLS. 1p, measuring 8.25" x 10.75", New York, dated November 11, 1897. Boldly signed "CP Huntington" and addressed to Hon. Abram S. Hewitt. Marked "PERSONAL", the letter inquires about Hewitt's interest in making a donation to a veteran. Reads in part: "An effort is being made to raise sufficient money to purchase a house for Gen'l Nelson A. Miles. Of course, I need not say anything to you as to who he is, as we all know he is a brave and efficient soldier who has accumulated no property, and we thought it would be a compliment to buy him a house, which I suppose would cost about $40,000…Quite a number have subscribed a thousand dollars towards the Fund."

Cornelius "Neily" Vanderbilt III TLS. 1p, measuring 8.5" x 10.75", New York, dated April 4, 1923. Boldly signed "C. Vanderbilt" and addressed to S.D. Green. Vanderbilt sends his regrets to an invitation, writing "…I have so many matters on hand at present that I cannot act in the capacity you suggest."

Cornelius Vanderbilt II TLS. 1p on mourning stationery, measuring 5.5" x 8.375", New York, dated December 14, 1893. Boldly signed "C. Vanderbilt" and addressed to Hermann Oelrichs, Esq., replying in the negative to an invitation to dinner. In part: "…I regret that it will be impossible for me to take part in the complimentary dinner to be given Mr. De Lancey Nicholl on the 21st instant…"

Collis Potter Huntington (1821-1900) was an American industrialist and one of the Big Four of the western railroad tycoons. He helped develop the Central Pacific Railroad, the Southern Pacific Railroad, and the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. He got involved in politics was later found to have provided bribes to numerous politicians and congressmen. When evidence of his underhanded politics were made public, Huntington became one of the most hated men in the country.

Cornelius Vanderbilt II (1843-1899) was the favorite grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, and an American socialite and businessman. He purchased the grounds to build The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island in 1885, and the mansion was completed in 1895. The summer house was designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt and decorated by Jules Allard & Sons and Ogden Codman, Jr. His son, Brigadier General Cornelius Vanderbilt III (1873-1942) was a military officer, engineer, and inventor. He was disinherited in 1896 when he married Grace Graham Wilson against his father's wishes. He served in the First World War and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal "for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States…"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000