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Speaking of mining for gold we also sold:

The Guggenheim Mining Ledger, From Its Articles of Incorporation in 1888 to Its Sale in 1901 — Over 90 Pages & Signed by Patriarch Meyer Guggeneheim & Sons Daniel, Benjamin, William, Morris & Simon

Important corporate ledger, describing in detail the formation, operation and sale of the mining company constituting the wealth of one of the most successful and philanthropic American families: The Guggenheims, led by patriarch Meyer Guggenheim and his sons Daniel, Morris, Benjamin, William, Simon, Isaac and Solomon, whose combined signatures total over 70 in this ledger spanning over 90 pages. Meyer’s signature, in particular, is elusive apart from this ledger.

Ledger begins on 13 January 1888 with the Articles of Incorporation for ”The Denver Smelting and Refining Company”, the corporation that anchored the success of the Guggenheim family. The ledger goes on to document the company’s history, from name changes, stock splits and financial growth to changes to its Board of Directors, family consolidation, and its ultimate sale on 8 April 1901. The ledger is signed by patriarch Meyer Benjamin and additionally by his sons: Daniel Guggenheim, who took over the family’s business after his father’s death in 1905; Benjamin Guggenheim (signed 23 times), who died on the Titanic, but not before helping women and children board life boats, and then changing into formal evening clothes ”to go down like gentlemen”; Morris, aka Murry Guggenheim (signed twice); William Guggenheim (signed 25 times); and Simon Guggenheim (signed 21 times), U.S. Senator from Colorado.

The handwritten Articles of Incorporation read in part, ”Meyer Guggenheim…being desirous of organizing a corporation under and in pursuance of the laws of the State of Colorado…The corporate name of the said company is hereby declared to be The Denver Smelting and Refining Company…The objects and purposes for which the said company is organized and created are as follows. First – To conduct and carry on the business of extracting gold, silver, copper, lead and other metallic and valuable substances from ores by smelting and by other process…for the crushing, sampling, smelting, reducing and other treatments of ores and metallic and other mineral substances, and for the extraction, separation and refinement of the metallic and other valuable contents thereof. / Third – To purchase, sell and generally deal in ores and other mineral and metallic substances. / Fourth – To purchase or otherwise acquire and hold such lands and easements in lands, as the interest and business of the company may demand and to exercise all the rights and privileges of an [sic] land owner in connection with the objects of said company…to purchase, lease, possess, hold or otherwise acquire mines…Fifth – To carry on the business of smelting and refining of all ores and classes of ores…”

Entire ledger is handwritten apart from the last meeting documenting the sale, and two additional typed pages noting stockholder meetings. Ledger therefore comprises 91 handwritten pages and four typed pages. Handwritten pages measure 13.75” x 8.5”, bound in quarter leather boards with gilt embellishments and marbled endpapers. Ledger is complete with the exception of pages 21-30. Some loss to spine, tape repair on endpapers and some loose pages. Pages themselves are near fine, very legible with beautiful penmanship, and very well-preserved with only nominal age wear. Sold for $30,000.

The Guggenheim Mining Ledger, From Its Articles of Incorporation in 1888 to Its Sale in 1901

Auction your James W Marshall autograph that is for sale. Contact [email protected] to sell your James W Marshall autograph.