Scottish empiricist philosopher historian, economist, and essayist; deeply influenced metaphysical thought. Autograph Check Signed, one page, narrow oblong octavo, Bath, June 8, 1776. Drawn on Thomas Coutts & Co., London and made out to dramatist John Home in the amount of fifty pounds. David Hume, the major figure of the Enlightenment, wrote this rare check … [ Read More ]
Economists
Law, John
AN EXTREMELY RARE LETTER OF THE CREATOR OF THE “MISSISSIPPI SCHEME” FIVE DAYS BEFORE THE BUBBLE BURST JOHN LAW. Scottish financier and speculator; founded Banque Générale in 1716, the first bank of any kind in France which issued paper currency and prospered; created for the development and colonization of Louisiana in 1717 the Mississippi … [ Read More ]
Malthus, Thomas
THOMAS MALTHUS. English economist and demographer; aroused controversy by his argument that population when unchecked tends to increase in a geometric ratio while means of subsistence tend to increase only in an arithmetic ratio and that preventative checks on increase of population are necessary, hence the Malthusian Theory. Signature with sentiment, “Believe with the … [ Read More ]
Mill, John Stuart
JOHN STUART MILLS. English philosopher and economist; created profound impression with System of Logic. Autograph Letter Signed, J.S. Mill, two pages, octavo, Blackheath Park, April 18, 1866. To Charles J. Grece, with original envelope. Though in your letter of the 16th inst. you do not claim me as an acquaintance, I have not forgotten … [ Read More ]
Morgan, J P
J. P. MORGAN. American financier. Document Signed, on the verso of a bond certificate for the New Jersey Junction Railroad Company, undated. A “Trustees Certificate” guaranteeing the bond in the name of the company. The engraved, brown and cream certificate is decorated with vignettes and scrolled borders, including a large scene of an industrial … [ Read More ]
Ricardo, David
BRITISH ECONOMIST CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL OF THE CLASSICAL ECONOMISTS WHOSE CONTRIBUTIONS DOMINATED ECONOMIC THINKING THROUGHOUT THE 19TH CENTURY DAVID RICARDO. Autograph Letter Signed, one page, quarto, February 24, 1822. “Please to give Mr. David Wilkinson a ticket of admission to the Lectures to be delivered at the London Institution on his producing … [ Read More ]
Smith, Adam
ADAM SMITH. Scottish economist; author of The Wealth of Nations. Document Signed by Smith and ten others, oblong large folio [11 3/4 by 17 1/2 inches], on vellum, Glasgow, October 25, 1760. A Master’s Degree conferred by Glasgow University on James Calderwood. Smith signs this document as a member of the senate of the university. … [ Read More ]