Johns Hopkins Document Signed American entrepreneur, abolitionist and philanthropist (1795-1873) whose legacy lives on in numerous foundations and institutions, such as Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins University. Partly-printed DS, one page, 10 x 6.25, June 3, 1858. Stock certificate for 25 shares in the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-Road Company issued to W. G. Hoffman, signed at the conclusion by Johns Hopkins as the company's president pro tempore. The certificate features a handsome vignette of a locomotive. In very good to fine condition, with light overall wrinkling and dampstaining, and the usual cancellation holes through Hopkins' signature.

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.