May 29th Rare Autograph and Documents

Lot #148:

Vanderbuilt

Cornelius Vanderbilt Signed Hudson River RR Ledger A double-sided ledger from the Hudson River Railroad Company account books, signed by Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877), the railroad company's majority shareholder. Vanderbilt signed his name as "C Vanderbilt". One side of the ledger is entitled "15 th Dividend" and is dated October 15, 1867 while the reverse is entitled "15th Dividend" and is dated October 15, 1869; Vanderbilt's two signatures appear on the former page. Lightly toned, and with isolated edge darkening, else near fine. On elephant folio-sized ledger pages measuring 11.25" x 17.25." The Hudson River Railroad Company paid out its shareholders 4% dividends on Capital Stock twice a year, in April and in October. The red- and blue-ruled ledger pages are partially printed and partially handwritten and divided into six columns. Stockholder signatures appear in the "Signatures" column at extreme right. The two pages of this ledger show the names of 42 stockholders collecting dividends. Cornelius Vanderbilt signed receipts on behalf of himself and