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Mathew Brady

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Mathew Brady

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Auction Date:2017 Oct 11 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Early American photographer (1922–1896) known for his scenes of the Civil War and for his portraits of eminent politicians and other illustrious Americans. Extraordinary manuscript DS, signed “M. B. Brady,” one page both sides, 8 x 11.75, March 6, 1872. New York Superior Court document in the case of "Mathew B. Brady against Jay Gould," in part: "The plaintiff by J. K. Herbert his attorney, complains…That on or about the 16th day of April A.D. 1869, the plaintiff made, sold, and delivered to the defendant certain pictures of defendant together with frames for the same, for which the defendant contracted and agreed to pay the sum of eight hundred and seven dollars…There remains due and unpaid thereon the sum of four hundred and sixty-nine dollars…Therefore plaintiff demands judgment against the defendant for the sum of four hundred and sixty-nine dollars, with interest." Brady boldly endorses a statement at the conclusion, certifying that he "has read the foregoing complaint and knows the contents thereof; and that the same is true to his own knowledge." A notary signs at the conclusion, lending further credence to the authenticity of Brady's rare signature. In fine condition. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.

This remarkable document shows Brady taking on one of the most powerful men in the world, Jay Gould, who was perhaps the most ruthless robber baron of the Gilded Age and involved in New York's Tammany Hall political machine. By this time Brady was nearly penniless—he would be declared bankrupt in January 1873—and he needed every dollar he could get. As one of the richest men on Wall Street, Gould certainly had the means to repay Brady for his work; it seems that he simply chose not to. In bankruptcy the next year, all of his studio's assets were sold off and Brady was left with essentially nothing. In 1875 he received a $25,000 payment from Congress and reopened his gallery, but remained deeply in debt—and stricken with poor health—for the rest of his life. Brady's autograph is exceedingly rare, and this is an especially large, bold example.