J. P. Morgan "High Society" Presentation Grouping with National Bank of Commerce $20 Note and 1898-S $20 Double Eagle. PMG and...

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J. P. Morgan "High Society" Presentation Set

J. P. Morgan "High Society" Presentation Grouping with National Bank of Commerce $20 Note and 1898-S $20 Double Eagle. PMG and NGC Graded and Encapsulated.
A fascinating and unique presentation set that Mike acquired at our 2017 FUN auction. It weaves together two numismatic items with their associated historical objects to provide a glimpse into period New York society and financial history.

Presented here is a fascinating quartet of souvenirs from a celebratory luncheon at the office of J.P. Morgan on New Year's Day in 1903: an 1898-S $20 gold piece, a $20 bill with the auto-penned signature of "J. Pierpont Morgan" as Vice President of the National Bank of Commerce in New York, a black silk pouch with a clasp, and an envelope with the words "To be kept" that contained a handwritten, unsigned note and the monetary mementos. Since Geo. W. Perkins is the only attendee not referred to with a title, we may infer that the author of this most interesting account of the event was George's wife, Evelina Ball Perkins. The text of the remembrance follows:

On New Year's day (1903) I lunched at the office of J.P. Morgan & Co. and each lady had given her a twenty dollar bill signed by Mr. Morgan, as president of the Bank of Commerce, and a twenty dollar gold piece for souvenirs. The Profit Sharing Scheme of the U.S. Steel Co. had been successfully launched the day before and this pleasant gathering was called the first Steel meeting - the fees. Twenty dollars in gold. I sat at Mr. Morgan's left and Mrs. Charles Steele at his right - next came Mrs. [Juliet Morgan] Hamilton, Mrs. Bowdoin, Miss Rhett, Mrs. [Louisa Morgan] Satterlee, Mrs. [Munro?], Mr. Charles Steele, Mrs. Morgan, Geo. W. Perkins, Miss Anne Morgan, Mr. Whitney, Miss Ursula Morgan (:) & Mr. [Herbert Livingston] Satterlee who was at my left.

Mrs. Perkins listed the menu which commenced with bullion, included terrapin from Philadelphia, and finished with plum pudding and coffee. She then noted, with apparent amusement, that "Mr. [William Pierson] Hamilton & Mr. [George Sullivan] Bowdoin had to eat at a side table!" In closing, she added that the souvenirs she received were enclosed.

Certified and Graded by PMG:

New York, NY - $20 1882 Brown Back Fr. 494 The NB of Commerce Ch. # 733 PMG About Uncirculated 55. Internal Tear.

Certified and Graded by NGC:

United States - 1898-S $20 MS62 NGC

The envelope (ungraded), handwritten note (ungraded), $20 Brown Back, and Double Eagle have all been custom encapsulated together by PMG/NGC. The black pouch is uncertified and included with this unique set. Personal narratives such as this provide insight into the lives of major financial magnates who shaped the worlds of banking, industry, and commerce. And it is entertaining to note that even J.P. Morgan's partners sometimes ended up at what New Englanders refer to as "the children's table." This small assemblage will delight its next caretaker, and will furnish a rich opportunity for a variety of historical research. Ex: our 2017 FUN #3551 sale, lot 21127
From The Mike Coltrane Collection.