Autographs
Stephen Girard Signed Payment To “James Laffitte & Co.”
STEPHEN GIRARD (1750-1831). American Philanthropist and Banker.
July 5, 1821-Dated, Partially-Printed, Fourth, Sixty Day Bill of Exchange, Transmittal Payment, at Philadelphia, Signed by Stephen Girard, Choice Extremely Fine. Stephen Girard personally saved the U.S. Government from financial collapse during the War of 1812, and he became one of the wealthiest men in America. This original Exchange Form is in the amount of 1,060 Francs and is payable in Paris to the James Laffitte & Co. It is very well printed and has some light vertical folds. The signature “Steph(en) Girard” is bold and richly written in brown at the lower right. A lovely quality historic item, of American banking history.
Jacques Laffitte was on of the major European bankers, headquartered in Paris, France from the 1810s thru 1830. He made his fortune in the 1820s, handled the funds of the Rothschilds for the private and public loans, and also for the French government in paying off their Napoleonic War loans.