The Proceedings at the Convention to Commemorate the Fortieth Anniversary of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, July 24th, 25th and 26th, 1899. 254 pp. (4to) half black calf and marbled boards. Special presentation copy for William Haigh, a Director of the Company, signed on front flyleaf by all the corporation officers, including President William Alexander, and, most notably, Vice President James Hazen Hyde.
The lot also includes:
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The Home Office of the Equitable / Description of Departments (Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, NY, 1916) First Edition. Original binding of gilt-decorated blue buckram and ¾ white parchment. 144pp. Illustrated. One of an unspecified limited edition, from the Haigh estate.
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Photographic portrait of Haigh, dressed in the uniform he wore aboard his 47-foot yacht. 5x3½" in 11x7" mat (Giles Bishop & Son, New London, Connecticut).
The Convention was intended as a memorial to company founder Henry Baldwin Hyde, who had died 3 months before. In the age of Robber Barons, Hyde built Equitable into the largest insurance company in the world, headquartered in the tallest office building in America. After his son James inherited control of the company at age 23, his lavish lifestyle angered President Alexander and three powerful Board members, Wall Street legends Harriman, Frick and J.P.Morgan, who, in January 1905, initiated a smear campaign against Hazen after he hosted a fabulous $200,000 French-themed costume ball at which hundreds of millionaire guests dressed like Louis XV, Marie Antoinette and other nobles of the “let them eat cake” ancient regime. The ensuing legislative investigation at which Company Vice President Gage Tarbell (who also signed the Haigh copy) testified that the insurance industry was rife with dishonesty, nearly caused the first American financial Panic of the 20th century. After his enemies forced his ouster from the company, Hyde emigrated to France, where he remained until World War II. Hyde’s autograph is rare, especially from his early years, and this association copy, signed at the start of his brief tenure as financial baron, is a particularly choice example.