American businessman (born 1848) and one of the United States' earliest oil refiners. After his small oil company was bought out by John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company, Archbold rose rapidly at Standard Oil, becoming Rockefeller's closest associate, and typically acting as the company's primary spokesman. Rockefeller, after 1896, left business matters to Archbold while he pursued his philanthropy; as vice president, Archbold effectively ran Standard Oil until his death in 1916. ALS signed “Jno. D. Archbold,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.75 x 7.75, December 21, 1908. Handwritten letter to Elisabeth Hunt, in full: "I have your very kind note and the wonderful work of art. I think its reception marked the proudest moment of my life. After having recently been designated as a 'sin encrusted son of Satan' to be proclaimed 'king' is enough to make a stronger head than mine whirl, but aside from that honor the mermaids would certainly have set me buzzing. I am bound to say, however, as a simple matter of truth and not in any spirit of criticism that the mermaids are not equal to those I have seen at Cuttyhunk. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and will count the gift and the giver as among my most precious treasures. Very heartily reciprocating your kind seasonable wishes to you and yours." In fine condition, with scattered light staining.
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