What Kind Of Document/Instrument?

Hi All

I've had this document/instrument for quite some time, keep trying to figure out exactly what type of document/instrument it is called.

In addition, I'm wondering if this qualifies as a holographic usage as a document/instrument.

OK everyone, who has good information on what this is or isn't.





Dave

It's an invoice with I assume a tax / revenue stamp.

It is an order instrument or cheque. It is identical to a modern preprinted consumer bank check, as it instructs the bank to pay a specified amount from a specified account to a named payee.

Mrs. Rolfe probably had too little money or too few transactions to pay for her own preprinted checks.

cjpalermo is right. It's definitely a check. Here's another handwritten check with similar language:




I'm not sure what you mean by "holographic usage." I'm pretty sure holography had not been invented in the 19th century!

Although the original posts relate to documents dating back to the late 19th and early 20th century, I point out that even into the late 20th century (i.e. 1980s) when many banks still offered (passbook!) savings accounts -- the back page often included directions, such as in this example, for authorizing another person to withdraw funds when the passbook holder couldn't be present. It also worked when a depositor was located in another area and used "Bank-by-Mail" services (pre-internet days, of course)! Note that the wording hadn't changed much in almost a century:

The original meaning of holographic with respect to legal documents is "handwritten," so Dave's usage is correct. It is a holographic check. Wills also can be holographic and that fact can be critical because if the deceased's handwriting can be authenticated based on the entire will text, then missing formalities such as witnesses or notarization may be overlooked.

It is nitpicking, but rustyc's document is a bearer instrument, since it says pay to bearer rather than a named person. With a bearer instrument, anyone associated with the receiving business could cash it for that business. And so could a thief ... Anyone bearing it is entitled to the dough.

Sorry, I spent too much time in Secured Transactions class in law school not to note this.

cjpalermo1964

My second career was in Government Contracts, I can still remember some of the older hand written contracts, heck a lot of writing.

Dave

cjpalermo, thanks for the clarification on the original meaning of "holographic." If I ever knew that, I forgot it. Dave, I apologize for questioning your use of the term!

cj, regarding bearer instruments, a check can be a bearer instrument, right? Anyway, my law school exposure to secured transactions and the rest of the UCC led me to become a litigator.

Yep, it's a bearer check ... I should have said that.

And my years as a litigator turned me into a transaction guy!

rustyc, Sir, no need to apologize!

Dave