Beschreibung:

ASTOR, JOHN JACOB, 1763-1848, Fur trader and financier . Partly printed document with autograph endorsement signed ("John Jacob Astor"), a stock certificate, issued in New York, 22 July 1816, endorsed by Astor on 18 November 1816. 1 page, an oblong, 154 x 245mm. (6 x 9 5/8 in.), endorsement on verso (two small paper repairs at edge), traces of red wax seals, attractively printed within decorative typographical border, headed "Six Per Cent Stock of 1813," and with cartouche displaying an American eagle at top left. The bond, on the United States Loan Office, was issued in the amount of $1,250 to Joseph E. McTigue of New York. On the back, Astor has recorded: "For value received and by virtue of a power of attorney we assign the within debt to the President, Director & Company of the Bank of the United States..." JOHN JACOB ASTOR ENDORSES A STOCK CERTIFICATE A rare certificate endorsed by one of the greatest of the early American capitalists, who had arrived in America in 1783 and by 1800 became the leading figure of the burgeoning fur trade, with agents and factors throughout the northwest territories and Canada. "The amassing of wealth was his ruling passion, and few devices that could contribute to that aim were neglected by him" (DAB). From 1814 to 1816, Astor made substantial and important purchases of discounted bonds of the Federal government, which had become desperate for cash as a result of the war with Great Britain.