Getting the Astor Signature on the Line

Question: I have been searching for a John Jacob Astor signature to complement my autograph collection of great American industrialists. In what directions can you point me?--T.H.

Answer: Cleaning out some of our older correspondence, we ran across your inquiry. Apparently, it pays to keep reader letters for a while, because we recently received newsletter No. 1 from Scott J. Winslow Associates (P.O. Box 6033, Nashua, N.H. 03063), a dealer who specializes in old stock-and-bond certificates and autographs.

In his first issue, Winslow talks of the development of the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, one of the nation’s earliest, incorporated on April 17, 1826. Astor, according to the newsletter, “played an important role in the early financing” of the line. Appointed to the railroad’s board of directors on May 29, 1828, Astor’s signature is on one of the line’s stock-transfer certificates.

In a telephone interview, Wilson said this is only one of two such certificates he knows to be in existence and is priced at $3,500.

Those interested in this collectible area can get Wilson’s newsletter free or can make inquiries at his toll-free number, (800) 225-6233.

Q: I have what I believe to be one of the early McDonald’s advertising signs, which probably came from a drive-in restaurant. How far back does the chain go?--W.B.

A: The late Ray A. Kroc opened his first McDonald’s drive-in in 1955 in Des Plains, Ill.

It’s difficult to appraise the value of your sign without getting a better handle on its condition, the year it was printed and what section of the country it came from.

Fast-food memorabilia is a popular item among collectors in terms of signs, posters, glasses and trays.

In this area, we’ve seen dealers place major emphasis on condition, and even though the item may be relatively rare and several years old, if it is frayed or in otherwise poor condition, its value drops sharply. Generally, fast-food premiums only sell for a few dollars each. But an item like a tray in good condition could translate into a much higher price tag.

Olympics collectibles: A new Olympics catalogue featuring medals, books and memorabilia has been published by Harvey Abrams Books, An den Hubertshausern 21, 1000 Berlin 38, West Germany.

Date book: California chapters of the Cola Clan have scheduled their annual convention for Feb. 21-23 at the Sheraton-Anaheim Hotel. Registration should be made before Dec. 31 to avoid a late fee.

We finally ran across a possible answer to an inquiry about the value of a share in the Pabst Brewing Co. of Milwaukee.

A recent dealer’s catalogue displayed a 1909 share certificate with a vignette of the old brewery and a signature of then-Pabst president Gustave Pabst, the German immigrant who helped establish the American beer industry. Because of the rarity of Pabst’s autograph, the dealer (George H. LaBarre Galleries, P.O. Box 746, Hollis, N.H. 03049) placed a $200 price tag on it.

The second edition of the American Premium Record Guide, which lists 60,000 records by 6,500 artists, is now available through L. R. Docks, P.O. Box 32924, San Antonio, Tex. 78216. Price for the 378-page guide is $14.95 plus $1.70 for postage and insurance.

Ronald L. Soble cannot answer mail personally but will respond in this column to questions of general interest about collectibles. Do not telephone. Write to Your Collectibles, You section, The Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.