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Huntington Bank discovers original checks signed by Lincoln, Washington, Edison, Twain and others
The Plain Dealer ^ | Wednesday, January 11, 2012 | Teresa Dixon Murray

Posted on 01/15/2012 12:07:29 PM PST by DogByte6RER

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Photobucket This check signed by George Washington in 1799 is valued at $10,000 today. Although it has some slight tears, it has a "strong signature."
1 posted on 01/15/2012 12:07:36 PM PST by DogByte6RER
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Photobucket James Monroe, president of the United States from 1817-1825, made out this autograph check on December 15, 1815, for $37 to Henry Sheppard.
2 posted on 01/15/2012 12:08:19 PM PST by DogByte6RER ("Loose lips sink ships")
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Photobucket Ulysses S. Grant, president of the United States from 1869-1877, signed this printed check on December 21, 1866 for $268.64 to Washington Corporation.
3 posted on 01/15/2012 12:09:49 PM PST by DogByte6RER ("Loose lips sink ships")
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Photobucket President Thomas Jefferson, in office from 1801-1809, signed this check, dated Dec. 14, 1793, as Secretary of State for $22.69 to Jacob Stine.
4 posted on 01/15/2012 12:12:24 PM PST by DogByte6RER ("Loose lips sink ships")
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To: DogByte6RER

Nifty!


5 posted on 01/15/2012 12:12:58 PM PST by skr (May God confound the enemy)
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Photobucket President Abraham Lincoln made out this First National Bank check to "self" for $800, reportedly to pay debts incurred by his wife, a day before he was shot and two days before he died.
6 posted on 01/15/2012 12:13:52 PM PST by DogByte6RER ("Loose lips sink ships")
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Photobucket President George Washington wrote this Bank of Alexandria check from Mount Vernon, VA., on May 31, 1799, six months before he died, for $500 to William Thornton.
7 posted on 01/15/2012 12:16:23 PM PST by DogByte6RER ("Loose lips sink ships")
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To: All

See more of the photo gallery at:

http://photos.cleveland.com/4501/gallery/historical_checks_on_display_at_huntington_bank_branch/index.html

Enjoy!


8 posted on 01/15/2012 12:17:51 PM PST by DogByte6RER ("Loose lips sink ships")
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To: DogByte6RER

Thank you for this post and these pictures. It really makes our history come alive.

I still write out paper checks and find very little difference between one of mine and one written out 150 years ago.


9 posted on 01/15/2012 12:20:57 PM PST by thecodont
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To: DogByte6RER
Statement: "These are remnants of a vanished society," Barrow said."

Response: Truer than he realizes now that we are joining "The Third World."

Comment: However, the checks are interesting as historical reminders.

10 posted on 01/15/2012 12:30:13 PM PST by AEMILIUS PAULUS (It is a shame that when these people give a riot)
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To: SunkenCiv

pinging ...


11 posted on 01/15/2012 12:32:32 PM PST by DogByte6RER ("Loose lips sink ships")
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To: DogByte6RER

This is very cool!

Thanks.


12 posted on 01/15/2012 12:39:18 PM PST by FoxPro
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To: thecodont
I still write out paper checks and find very little difference between one of mine and one written out 150 years ago.

I don't see any account numbers, unless the handstamp on Lincoln's check contains his account number? How would banks have figured out which account needed to be debited?

13 posted on 01/15/2012 12:52:33 PM PST by supercat (Renounce Covetousness.)
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To: DogByte6RER

Interesting. Anyone notice the scribbled face of George Washington on the check? I wonder if Lincoln did that?


14 posted on 01/15/2012 12:55:43 PM PST by Obama Exposer
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To: supercat

Aside from the accounting/routing numbers on the bottom of modern checks, I’d say they’re practically identical.

As far as knowing which account to debit, that’s an interesting question. I guess the banks knew who had which account since there were more face-to-face business dealing.


15 posted on 01/15/2012 1:00:31 PM PST by thecodont
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Comment #16 Removed by Moderator

To: Obama Exposer
...Interesting. Anyone notice the scribbled face of George Washington on the check? I wonder if Lincoln did that?...

That appears to be a stamp. Grants check has a stamp that has a postmark on it. Interesting.

17 posted on 01/15/2012 1:13:53 PM PST by FReepaholic (Stupidity is not a crime, so you're free to go.)
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To: DogByte6RER

Does that payee line on that one check say “Domino’s”?


18 posted on 01/15/2012 1:20:27 PM PST by Cyman
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To: DogByte6RER

Neat. Sort of like finding an old plumbing or grocery bill for an historic figure. Actually an old grocery bill would be very interesting.


19 posted on 01/15/2012 1:22:49 PM PST by 6SJ7 (Meh.)
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To: DogByte6RER
One check on display was written by Abraham Lincoln .... According to Eiler, the check was reportedly used to get cash to pay debts ran up by his wife, who was known to be a big spender.

It's nice to know that some things never change.

20 posted on 01/15/2012 1:43:51 PM PST by Nita Nupress
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