Description:

Pulitzer Joseph

Joseph Pulitzer signs huge check to himself, PSA/DNA slabbed

 

Unnumbered check from the State Savings Association of St. Louis, Missouri signed by successful newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911) as "Joseph Pulitzer Pres't" in the payee line. Dated July 31, 1883, the check in the amount of $14,000 was issued to himself, or "J Pulitzer." The check has a beige background with the Missouri state seal printed at left. Bearing a triangular shaped cancellation mark at center. Graded by PSA/DNA as "NM-MT 8." A few letters of the signature are slightly smeared. The check measures 7.625" x 3" while the slab measures 12.375" x 5.5".

 

This check for $14,000 issued in the summer of 1883 is the equivalent of $333,495 in today's money (2018). Pulitzer had not always been so successful. A Hungarian immigrant, Pulitzer had worked as a waiter, whaler, mule driver, land deed recorder, and translator before striking out into journalism. After years of hard work, Pulitzer purchased two St. Louis, Missouri newspapers and merged them to create the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in 1878. 

 

Several years later, in 1883, Pulitzer purchased the failing New York World from financier Jay Gould for over 8 million dollars in today's money. This purchase marked Pulitzer’s transition from a regional newspaper publisher to a national publishing magnate, and precipitated the newspaper circulation war of the 1880s. Although today Pulitzer is known for the eponymous prize which recognizes outstanding artistic and journalistic achievements, during his lifetime he was associated with the development of “yellow journalism”. This sensationalist way of reporting news events aimed to increase circulation and sales. Pulitzer’s journalistic approach was quite profitable, as we know from this check!

 

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!
Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000