Printed Document Signed by LOWMAN, Seymour (1868-1940)

This New York politician and legislator served as lieutenant governor (1925-26) and was appointed by President Herbert Hoover Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (1927-33), serving under Andrew W. Mellon and Ogden L. Mills. Printed DS, 1p, heavy stock 20" X 16", Washington, DC, 10 July 1930. Very good. Mildly edgeworn, with some inoffensive light marginal marks. Headed "Herbert Hoover, / [ornate American Eagle vignette] / President of the United States of America" in large elaborate typeface, this oversize faux vellum decorative certificate testifies that (these portions handwritten) James C. Perry has been appointed Medical Director in the Public Health Service. Signed boldly in brown ink at lower right by Lowman, and he pens "Acting" in front of the printed "Secretary of the Treasury" -- signifying that he signed this during a time when for some reason (this was the height of the Depression) he was filling in for his boss Andrew Mellon. Circular flute-edged gold foil seal at lower left. Unusual -- a rare instance of this Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (who was never appointed to the higher office) actually signing as Secretary of the Treasury. James C. Perry was one of the first American public health officials stationed in Panama.