Lot 205

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Description:

Submarine Inventor Simon Lake Archive

An interesting lot relating to Simon Lake (1866-1945), the inventor of one of the earliest submarine prototypes, ca. 1900-1935. The lot consists of three pieces and features a total of four Simon Lake signatures.

Simon Lake produced a series of revolutionary submarine designs over his influential 50+-year-long-career as a naval architect, and his underwater craft was eventually deployed by the United States, Germany, Russia, and even the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Lake struggled to secure a lucrative contract with the U.S. Navy with his "Argonaut Junior" (1894), "Argonaut 1" (sometimes referred to as "Old Argonaut") (1898), and "Argonaut 2" (also "New Argonaut") (ca. 1899). Eventually, Lake established twelve different business concerns tied to his submarines and held over 200 patents relating to their design.

The lot includes:

1. A check entirely engrossed by Simon Lake, and 3x signed by him as "Simon Lake," once on the payee line, once on the signature line, and once as the endorsee verso. Check #454 was drawn from accounts at the Irving Trust Company in New York City in the amount of $10 on April 27, 1930. Bearing the usual stamps and processing perforations. Accompanied by a Limited Edition Certificate of Authenticity, A #053, from the Simon Lake Project based in Grant, Florida. The check was originally mounted to the certificate but is currently detached. The check measures 6.5" x 2.75" while the certificate measures 8.5" x 11."

2. An Interim Stock Certificate from the Lake Submarine Salvage Corporation signed by Lake as "Simon Lake" in his capacity as president, and by another company official. The certificate, No. 2,149, dated January 26, 1935 in Milford, Connecticut, certified that Albert L. Worthen of New Haven, Connecticut had purchased ten shares of Common Capital Stock of the Lake Submarine Salvage Corporation. Bearing a notarized embossed seal at right. Expected folds, staple holes, and a few chipped edges, else near fine. 8.5" x 11."

3. A booklet entitled "The 'Argonaut' Her Evolution and History: What She Was Built For and What She Has Accomplished," published as investor promotional material by the Lake Submarine Company, ca. July 1900. The 32pp booklet provides a summary of Lake's submarine designs, and then promotes the company's financial potential. Specifically, Lake submarines would be invaluable in recovering sunken cargo and building materials; facilitating pearl or sponge fishery excavation; enabling underwater building construction; and in serving "as scientific and pleasure boats"! Minor fading to the covers and expected wear, else near fine. 6" x 9.375."

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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March 3, 2021 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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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