Member of the fabled Astor family of businessmen and financiers (1822–1890). The wealthiest family member of his generation, he served in the army during the Civil War (reaching the rank of brevet brigadier general) and later focused his business interests primarily on the acquisition and management of Manhattan real estate. Interesting ALS signed “J. J. Astor,” one page both sides, 5 x 8, monogrammed personal letterhead, September 13, 1871. Astor writes to Edwards Pierrepont (1817–1892), U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and future U.S. Attorney General in the Grant administration. In part: “I have not seen the article in the Times, but am not surprised at it. I never would have procured the note I did from my father, had not Messrs. Roberts & Taylor not appeared to feel annoyed by the publication of the forged note in the Times. I am always averse to appearing in public print, and shall now not feel the less so.” Astor’s note (and the forged note he refers to) are evidently related to an affair in which he and fellow millionaires Marshall Roberts and Moses Taylor formed a committee to investigate corruption by Tweed ring city controller Richard Connolly. As the millionaires themselves profited from Tweed ring corruption, their finding—that Connolly acted with “honesty and integrity”—suggests the makings of a cover-up. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in Astor’s hand. Slight separation to mailing fold very slightly touching text, otherwise fine condition. R&R COA.
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