1913 House of Representative Check – Representative Guy T. Helvering

Description

1913 House of Representative Check – Representative Guy T. Helvering
Offered for your consideration is an interesting and eye-catching check, signed at the conclusion by a future Commissioner of Internal Revenue under President Franklin Roosevelt. Printed at the center, in two different fonts, is “
The Sergeant at Arms,
/
House of Representatives, U. S.
”, while the principal text instructs the recipient to “
Pay to the order of
J. V. Swenson
$
10.00
/
Ten and no/100
Dollars.
”. It is signed at the conclusion by “
Guy T Helvering
”, at the time a Democratic representative from Kansas. The check was written in “
Washington, D. C.
” and is dated “
12 – 27
19
13
”. What makes this piece so eye-catching is the light brown, ¾ view of the United States Capitol building at the center and the Mace of the United States House of Representatives at the left (part of a watermark of the Great Seal of the United States can be seen when the piece is held to the light, which is somewhat interesting). An oval purple stamp from the “
OFFICE OF THE SERGEANT AT ARMS
/
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
” can be seen at the right. The back of the check was originally blank, though it now bears two endorsements and numerous bank stamps. Cursory research has failed to locate any information on the payee, however a diligent search may identify him, as well as the individual to whom he endorsed the check. There may be an interesting story yet to be uncovered.
Guy Tresillian Helvering
was born in Felicity, Ohio, on January 10, 1878, though he moved with his family to Beattie, Kansas in 1887. Following a public school education, he attended the University of Kansas, though he received his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He served as a corporal in Company M, 22
nd
Kansas Volunteer Infantry from May to November, 1898, during the Spanish-American War. He was admitted to the bar in 1906, and practiced law in Marysville, Kansas until 1913. Following an unsuccessful congressional bid in 1910, Helvering was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representative, serving from March 4, 1913 until March 3, 1919. Helvering worked as a banker in Salina, Kansas from 1919 through 1926, and served as the mayor of that city from 1926 to 1930. He was the highway director for Kansas from 1931 to 1932, after which he was appointed by President Franklin Roosevelt as the Commissioner of Internal Revenue of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (the modern IRS), serving from 1933 until nominated by Roosevelt to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Kansas on September 14, 1943. Following his confirmation and commissioning, Helvering remained in that position until his death. Guy T. Helvering died in Washington, D. C., on July 4, 1946 and was buried in the Marysville Cemetery.
The presently offered document exhibits signs of period use, with reasonable subsequent storage. Minor toning appears present across the entire surface, though the original color is not known to the seller. The overall surface is a light beige hue, with the Capitol being light brown and the remaining elements printed in black. Two black smudges appear at the right edge, possibly seepage from the pen when the check was written. As noted earlier, a purple bank stamp can be seen at the right center. Numerous vertical folds are present, several of which pass through the signature. Six pinholes can be seen when the check is held to the light, concentrated at the left. The left edge is perforated, while the remaining three are straight. The contrast is average, with the signature being slightly stronger at the beginning than the end. As previously noted, two manuscript endorsements and several bank stamps can be found on the back. Measuring approximately 2⅞ x 7½ inches, this piece would look great framed below a portrait of Helvering.
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Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA