Samuel Benner. Benner’s Prophecies of Future Ups and Downs in Prices. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Co., 1879.
Capitalizing on his experiences in iron founding and farming, Samuel Benner first published his Prophecies in 1875. Considered the most reliable source of information on commodities futures, the book appeared in several editions into the early 20th century. While some credit Benner with being the first forecaster of financial markets, his prophecies to investors echo those of dream book authors hoping “that the uncertainties of the future be lessened.” Whether gambling or investing (if there was a difference), one took financial risks and sought to minimize them by their preferred system. Benner accurately predicted the depression in 1876, but anticipated the depression of 1893 by two years.
