Archives International Auctions Auction 81 December 15th & 16th 2022

Archives International Auctions - Sale 81 80 December 15, 2022 Archives International Auctions www.archivesinternational.com 373 373 Father Divine Ephemera Group Lot with Autograph, 1942 New York...., 1942. Lot of several pieces, including: A three-page, typewritten letter from Reverend M.J. Divine to Lawrence H. Tasker, regarding a letter Tasker had sent him which included newspaper clippings. Divine thanks Tasker for his letter and enclosed editorial, “as I had not previously seen it.” He includes some scripture, and laments that his teaching is ignored even “when the nation is divided, and race segregation, hate and intolerance run rampant among men” although “righteousness is marching on.” The letter ends with his signature. Included is a postal cover which enclosed this letter, sent from Rev. M. J. Divine’s address and with a “Peace” adhesive at bottom left, addressed to Lawrence H. Tasker; also included is the supposed original newspaper clippings, both of which discuss Father Divine’s large estate purchased in Tarrytown, New York. Father Divine (c. 1876 - September 10, 1965), also known as Reverend M. J. Divine, was an African-American spiritual leader from about 1907, until his death. His full self-given name was Reverend Major Jealous Divine, and he was also known as “the Messenger” early in his life. He founded the International Peace Mission movement, formulated its doctrine, and oversaw its growth from a small and predominantly black congregation into a multiracial and international church. Due to his ideology, many consider him to be a cult leader. Father Divine claimed to be God. He made numerous contributions toward his followers’ economic independence and racial equality. He was a contemporary of other religious leaders such as Daddy Grace, Charles Harrison Mason, Noble Drew Ali, James F. Jones (also known as Prophet Jones), Wallace Fard Muhammad, Elijah Muhammad and Jim Jones. All are in Fine-VF condition. Interesting group from an interesting figure. ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Est. $40-80 374 374 Governor Alfred Smith Autograph, Former Governor of New York, 1924 New York, 1924. Signature of Al Smith on State of New York letterhead nominating John A. Warner as Superintendent of the Department of State Police. Alfred Emanuel Smith (December 30, 1873 – October 4, 1944) was an American politician who served four terms as Governor of New York and was the Democratic Party’s candidate for president in 1928. He was first elected governor of New York in 1918, lost his 1920 bid for re-election, and was elected governor again in 1922, 1924, and 1926. Smith was the foremost urban leader of the Efficiency Movement in the United States and was noted for achieving a wide range of reforms as New York governor in the 1920s. Smith sought the 1932 Democratic presidential nomination but was defeated by Franklin D. Roosevelt, his former ally and successor as Governor of New York. Smith then entered business in New York City, became involved in the construction and promotion of the Empire State Building, and became an increasingly vocal opponent of Roosevelt’s New Deal. ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Est. $40-80 375 375 Governor Herbert H. Lehman andSecretaryWalterT. Brown, 1937 Autograph Pair and Letter Trio New York, 1937. Group of 3 Typewritten letters, from Herbert H. Lehman or his secretary Walter T. Brown, and addressed to Lawrence H. Tasker on State of New York Executive Chamber letterhead. The January 6th letter thanks Tasker for his previous letter, and writes “I am very glad indeed that you and Mrs. Tasker were able to come to the Inauguration but regret that we did not see you at the reception;” The second letter, dated January 8th, thanking Tasker for sending a copy of an article he wrote on Mortgage Financing; The final letter, dated July 1st, is from Lehman’s secretary Walter T. Brown, and acknowledges an earlier letter on behalf of Governor Lehman. The two letters from Lehman are signed by him at bottom right, while the letter from Secretary Walter T. Brown is signed at bottom center. Herbert Henry Lehman (March 28, 1878 - December 5, 1963) was an American Democratic Party politician from New York. He served from 1933 until 1942 as the 45th Governor of New York and represented New York State in the U.S. Senate from 1949 until 1957. He was born to a Reform Jewish family in Manhattan, New York City, the son of Babetta (née Newgass) and German-born immigrant Mayer Lehman, one of the three brothers who co-founded Lehman Brothers financial services firm. VF condition. (3) ��������� Est. $50-100 376 376 LetterWritten and Signed by Erastus Corning, 1854 Albany, New York, 1854. Handwritten Letter from Erastus Corning to Benjamin Carver, Esq., inquiring into the owner of a small account who cannot be tracked down. Black text on off-blue paper, signed by Erastus Corning at bottom left. VF condition with some toning at bottom by signature. Erastus Corning (December 14, 1794 - April 9, 1872) was an American businessman and politician from Albany, New York. A Democrat, he was most notable for his service as mayor of Albany from 1834 to 1837, in the New York State Senate from 1842 to 1845, and in the United States House of Representatives from 1857 to 1859, and from 1861 to 1863. A native of Norwich, Connecticut, Corning moved to Troy, New York when he was 13 so he could be trained for a career as a merchant. He worked as a clerk in his uncle’s hardware store for six years, then moved to Albany, New York to work for the retail business owned by James Spencer. Corning eventually became the senior partner in the enterprise, which he combined with businesses he inherited from his uncle to create Erastus Corning & Co. The Corning company sold ironware, including tools and farm implements, nails, stoves, parts for railroad cars, and rails for railroads. John V. L. Pruyn married Corning’s niece Harriet, and Pruyn and Corning became partners in a variety of business ventures and investments. Under Corning’s leadership, several local and regional railways were combined in the early 1850s to form the New York Central Railroad, and Corning served as its first president. After leaving Congress, Corning began to wind down his business and political activities. He left the presidency of the New York Central in 1865, and focused much of his attention on speculating in and developing land he had purchased in the western states. He served as a delegate to the 1867 state constitutional convention. In his later years, Corning speculated in and developed land in the western states. He died in Albany on April 8, 1872 and was buried at Albany Rural Cemetery. �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Est. $100-200