American inventor, actor, and entrepreneur (1811–1875) known for his important improvements to the sewing machine, who founded the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Exceedingly rare LS signed “I. M. Singer,” one page, 4.75 x 8, personal Oldway letterhead, July 15, 1873. Letter to the directors of the Singer Manufacturing Company in New York. In full: “Please pay my brother John V. Singer one hundred dollars ($100) or whatever more is necessary to pay his passage comfortably to New Orleans and his expenses while in New York.” Light toning and office notations to the top, a couple dings to left edge, and a few brushes to the signature, otherwise fine condition. Singer established his sewing machine firm in 1851 under the name I. M. Singer & Co., and the immediate success of his innovative device made him extremely wealthy. Unfaithful to his wife, Singer had as many as two dozen children with several different women, including a second family that he housed in a Fifth Avenue mansion. When his second wife had him arrested for bigamy in 1862, he fled from the embarrassment and left for Europe. He commissioned the Oldway Mansion in Paignton, Devon, England, where he lived out his days in decadence. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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