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James Fenimore Cooper Signed Check to Himself

Sold for $800 at University Archives on Jun 17, 2026.

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Lot description

James Fenimore Cooper Cooperstown, NY, January 14, 1837 James Fenimore Cooper Signed Check to Himself Signed check James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851). Check No. 28 issued from Cooperstown, NY on January 14, 1837, in the amount of $80 payable to himself and signed, "J. Fenimore Cooper". The check was issued from the Otsego County Bank cashier and bears a "PAID, Otsego Cty. Bank" red stamp at left. The partly printed and handwritten check measures 5.875" x 2.25" and features a looping braid decoration along the left edge and an eagle bearing an olive branch at upper left. Smudge along upper edge above where Cooperstown is printed, else fine and elegantly signed. James Fenimore Cooper was an American writer known for his historical romances depicting colonist and Indigenous characters from the 17th to the 19th centuries, becoming remembered as the nation's first novelist. As a young man, Cooper served in the U.S. Navy as a midshipman, which greatly influenced many of his novels and other writings. His most famous work, and often regarded as his masterpiece, is the romantic novel "The Last of the Mohicans". This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses. WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

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