This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Burnham, Littlefield, Gorsky, Townsend, Davidson, Hauser, O'Donnell, Kahl, Souci, Weber Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/FNR.2ACEB/2326 Message Board Post: Dear Davidson family, I just put up for auction this fascinating piece of family memorabilia. I hope it finds a good home, as I am not of this family. Most respectfully, Gavin Hougham University of Chicago ghougham@yahoo.com **************************** Title of item: BURNHAM CHEMICAL CO. stock report, 4/17/1929 Seller: ghougham Starts: Dec-11-01 15:31:09 PST Ends: Dec-21-01 15:31:09 PST Price: Starts at $5.00 To bid on the item, go to: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1047306435 Item Description: This is a 5-page stockholder's report from the "New York Stockholders Committee of the Burnham Chemical Company, 2316 Ellis Avenue, New York," dated April 17, 1929. (This is just six months before the U.S. stock market crash of October, 1929.) There are three parts to the document: 1) a two-page cover letter to "Fellow Stockholders" over the signature of Richard Littlefield, Chairman; 2) a one-page "SPEECH OF G. B. BURNHAM," President, given at a meeting of the New York Stockholders on March 24, 1929; 3) two copies of a one-page "Minutes of Meeting of New York Stockholders of Burnham Chemical Co." The size of each sheet is nominally 8 ½" x 11" (8 ½" x 10 15/16") and the document appears to have been folded together, as there is one horizontal fold line and two vertical fold lines on each sheet, all at the same place. The paper condition is very good, with only minor water staining along the horizontal fold crease on the second page of the cover letter. There are no tears or staple holes. The reverse sides of each sheet are blank and unremarkable, except for the above mentioned crease stain. These documents appear to be a solicitation of a pledge of financial support to help fund an ongoing capital project: "on account of the drop in the price of borax from an average figure of $66.50 per ton to $13.00 per ton net at the [Searles Lake] plant, we made no profits . . . . Your borax plant must be immediately adapted to the manufacture of potash." The drop in price appears to be part of a price war and possible production process patent infringement war with a large competitor, the American Potash and Chemical Company: "With every attempt of our agents to sell our borax our competitor cuts the price lower, with the result that today the price of borax is only $19 per ton at the plant . . . the sacks alone cost $6.00 per ton." President Burnham continued in a slightly desperate tone, "Of course, if we were to set out to build a potash plant it would be designed differently from a borax plant. It is somewhat of a makeshift proposition . . . but it is the best thin! g to do under the circumstances." To the best of my knowledge, Searles Lake is near the Mojave Desert town of Trona, California. This is a well-known mineral extractions region, rich in natural resources. 2316 Ellis Avenue, the headquarters address of Burnham Chemical, appears to have been in the eastern section of the borough of Bronx, NY, and may now be called "Castle Hill Avenue." However, the March 24 stockholders meeting was held in "Bryant Hall" at 42nd Street and 6th Avenue, which is near Times Square in Manhattan. There is now a Bryant Park a block east of Times Square, behind the New York Public Library. This may be where Bryant Hall once stood, but I don't have time to do any more detective work, sorry! These documents hold many interesting stories and would be suitable additions to an historical society (New York State, New York City, California), corporate library (Burnham Chemical, American Potash and Chemical?), or family genealogy (Burnham, Littlefield, Gorsky, Townsend, Davidson, Hauser, O'Donnell, Kahl, Souci, Weber). I will ship these documents in archival plastic sleeves and a bend-proof mailer. I will try to respond to email queries within a day. Good luck! Visit eBay, the world's largest Personal Trading Community at http://www.ebay.com