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American businessman (1865-1912) who perished aboard the Titanic. As the ship was going down, Guggenheim and his secretary, dressed in their evening clothes, were last seen seated in deck chairs in the staircase sipping brandy and smoking cigars. DS, signed “Benj. Guggenheim, Scty,” one lightly-lined page, 8.25 x 13.5, August 29, 1888. Guggenheim attests to an attempted board of directors meeting. In full: “Record of Proceedings of the Board of Directors of the Phila. Smg & Ref. Co. held at its office in Pueblo Aug 29–1888. The meeting was called to order by Vice President Richard Clive the President not being present and the following directors were found present. Benj. Guggenheim, Richard Clive. There not being directors enough present to constitute a quorum, the meeting was adjourned.” Signed at the conclusion by Guggenheim, as well as Clive. Guggenheim’s signature appears for a third time at the conclusion of another entry at the top of the page, attesting to another unsuccessful meeting. Page also bears an embossed Philadelphia Smelting and Refining Company seal next to Guggenheim’s signature. In fine condition, with scattered mild toning, and a couple ink marks through third signature at top.
The fifth of seven sons of Meyer Guggenheim, Benjamin accompanied his father to Colorado in 1884 to learn about the mining industry. Seeing the connection between smelting and mining, Benjamin acquired keen industry knowledge through an apprenticeship with one of the largest smelting plants in Denver. In 1888, after sharing his knowledge with both his father and his brother, they traveled to Pueblo and opened their first smelting plant, where the meeting mentioned in this letter was held. This plant was the spring board for the various smelting and refining establishments throughout the world that would bear the Guggenheim name, bringing the family one of the largest fortunes of the 19th century; when Benjamin went down with the ‘unsinkable’ ship, he was worth around $95,000,000! RRAuction COA.
