| Description |
(St. Louis, M.T.) � Account Book for Aaron T. Crane from Wm. O'Hara's Missouri Exchange Bank 1819. Very Good. A unique historical record from one the most prominent men of his day in St. Louis, Aaron T. Crane. He was postmaster for St. Louis, a federal appointment, perhaps the most important post office on the frontier. Not much is known of Crane, except he was in office from September 18, 1818, into 1819 when he passed. He was a War of 1812 veteran, but with the exception of his currency notes, few records exist of his specific activities in the area. This account book includes deposits and withdrawals for a relatively short period, (June 9, 1819, until September 13, 1819), at the Missouri Exchange Bank operated without charter by William O'Hara. This was a manufactured account book, with card covers, hand-titled on the face, and with entries made upon its pre-lined pages. 9.5 cm x 16.0 cm. Approximately 21 leaves internally with nine pages accomplished in pen. The front cover is titled in cursive: "A.T. Crane / in acc't / with the /Missouri Exchange Bank." The back cover is penned in mixed fonts, with the top and bottom lines bold and the center in cursive: A. T. Crane, / Missouri Exchange / BANK. Some notations are on the back cover. There is cover surface soiling, and the pages are mostly loose from the primitive binding. Overall in Very Good condition, but this unique artifact was once the property of a historic currency issuer, who recorded his banking transactions at this frontier bank. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
From Newman X (Heritage Auctions, November 2018), lot 20138, realized $240. |
