Cornelius Vanderbilt Autographs
Cornelius Vanderbilt (May 27, 1794 – January 4, 1877), nicknamed "the Commodore", was an American business magnate who built his wealth in railroads and shipping. After working with his father's business, he worked his way into leadership positions in inland and coastal shipping, then invested in the rapidly growing railroad industry, effectively transforming the geography of the United States.
As one of the richest Americans in history and wealthiest figures overall, Vanderbilt was the patriarch of the wealthy and influential Vanderbilt family. He provided the initial gift to found Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. For his monopoly on shipping and the railroads, facilitated in part by political manipulation, Vanderbilt is often described as either a "captain of industry" or a "robber baron".
Cornelius Vanderbilt's great-great-great-grandfather, Jan Aertson or Aertszoon ("Aert's son"), was a Dutch farmer from the village of De Bilt in Utrecht, Netherlands, who immigrated to New Amsterdam (later New York) as an indentured servant in 1650. The Dutch van der ("of the") was eventually added to Aertson's village name to create "van der Bilt" ("of the Bilt"). This was eventually condensed to Vanderbilt.\nAnthony Janszoon van Salee was one of Cornelius Vanderbilt's great-great-great-great-grandfathers.
Read more about Cornelius Vanderbilt on Wikipedia
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Traded items with a signature of Cornelius Vanderbilt
The most expensive item with a signature of Cornelius Vanderbilt (Pay Document signed by C. (Commodore Cornelius) Vanderbilt - 1828 dated Autograp) was sold in November 2025 for $6,506.25 while the cheapest item (Cornelius Vanderbilt Doc Signed by John Pool 1823! RARE) found a new owner for $0.99 in January 2009. The month with the most items sold (4) was August 2013 with an average selling price of $46.00 for an autographed item of Cornelius Vanderbilt. Sold items reached their highest average selling price in November 2025 with $3,760.55 and the month that saw the lowest prices with $1.00 was July 2017. In average, an autographed item from Cornelius Vanderbilt is worth $100.00.
Most recently, these items with a signature of Cornelius Vanderbilt were sold on eBay - click here for more items.
| Picture | Item Title | Price | Store |
 | 1883 New York Central Sleeping Car Company Signed Cornelius Vanderbilt II | $45.00 |  |
| 1883 New York Central Sleeping Car Company Signed Cornelius Vanderbilt II | $45.00 | |
| Check issued to and signed at back by C. (Commodore Cornelius) Vanderbilt - 1865 | $6,506.25 | |
| Check issued to and signed at back by C. (Commodore Cornelius) Vanderbilt - 1865 | $6,506.25 | |
 | Cornelius Vanderbilt II Signed Michigan Central Railroad Bond 1882 - PSA | $1,969.00 | |
| Cornelius Vanderbilt II Signed Michigan Central Railroad Bond 1882 - PSA | $1,969.00 | |
 | Cornelius Vanderbilt IV Handwritten Signed 1930s Postcards Sent to White House | $499.99 | |
| Cornelius Vanderbilt IV Handwritten Signed 1930s Postcards Sent to White House | $499.99 | |
| CORNELIUS VANDERBILT JR. - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 07/23/1958 | $226.99 | |
| Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr. TLS 10/7/64 Signed "Neil V". "Vagabonding with ..." | $100.00 | |
| Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr. TLS 10/7/64 Signed "Neil V". "Vagabonding with ..." | $100.00 | |
| Hudson River Railroad Co. issued to Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, not signed | $146.25 | |
| Hudson River Railroad Co. issued to Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, not signed | $146.25 | |
| Pay Document signed by C. (Commodore Cornelius) Vanderbilt - 1828 dated Autograp | $6,506.25 | |
| Pay Document signed by C. (Commodore Cornelius) Vanderbilt - 1828 dated Autograp | $6,506.25 | |
