Lot 211
Bartlett, Josiah
(1729-1795) Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Also a member of the
Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War and President and Governor of
New Hampshire.
Free Frank ("Free / J. Bartlett"). Small octavo
address leaf panel franked at lower left. Addressed in Bartlett's hand to
"The Honble/Nathel Folsom Esq/Exeter/New Hampshire." Minor foxing and
toning, else fine. A rare free frank.
Estimated Value $900-1,100.
Lot 212
Benadam, Gallup
(1716-1800). Colonel in the French and Indian War, Gallup was a member of
the Groton Committee of Correspondence in 1774, as well as a Justice of the
Peace.
Autograph Document Signed ("Hon Benadam Gallup Justice of
Peace"). As Justice of the Peace. Two pages, oblong quarto, Groton,
Connecticut, February 21, 1780. In brown ink. Four horizontal folds, aside from
two small ink smears, in fine condition overall.
In this deposition,
which reads much like a lover's quarrel, one Miriam Davis states in a complaint
against one Samuel Mott that: "Not having the fear of God before his eyes
but being moved by the Instigations of the Devil did in a furious and angry
manner make an assault ... by threatening words, turbulent behavior repeatedly,
taking the name of the holy God in vain..." It seems that Mr. Mott
threatened to burn Ms. Davis's house while attempting to attack her. Gallup
issues a summons to the sheriff of New London on the verso to arrest Mr. Mott.
However in an interesting twist, after the suspect was apprehended, a final
note indicates that Ms. Davis had withdrawn her complaint.
Estimated Value
$150-250.
Lot 213
Benjamin, Judah
(1811-1884) Confederate statesman. Appointed Attorney General by
Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Benjamin was the first Jew to hold a
Cabinet level post in American government. Benjamin also served as the
Confederacy's Secretary of War and then Secretary of State. Following the War,
Benjamin fled to England, where he continued to practice law and publish legal
treatises.
Document Signed ("Benjamin"). One page, 7¾ x
10¾", 1843, n.p. Being a legal document regarding the finances of one
Madame Lefebre and her son. Docketing on verso with minor show through does not
affect signature. Toning, minor soil, otherwise very good to fine.
This
document states: "The defendants offer in evidence the record of the First...to
prove that the mortgages given by Mrs. Lefebre to her son produced nothing,
Hagan's prior mortgage having absorbed the entire proceeds of the
property....at and before and since the sale of the slaves by Mrs. Lefebre to
her son, they have lived together and that the slaves were her domestic
servants."
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.
Lot 214
Blodget, Samuel Jr
(1757-1814) Captain of the New Hampshire Militia who fought at the Battle
of Princeton. One of the directors of the Insurance Company of North America.
Designed the building of the first Bank of the United States in Philadelphia,
one of the finest early Federal architects. A major figure in the development
of the Washington real estate market.
Document Signed ("Sam Blodgett
Junr"). Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. One page, 8 x 13",
Washington DC, February 25, 1792. Countersigned by Jacob Welsh. Being an
obligation/receipt for payment on one lot of land "within the City of
Washington." Seal at lower right hand side. Two horizontal folds, slightly
irregular edges. Very good condition.
"...the situation of said Lot
shall be determined by lot, in equal chance with more than five hundred Lots to
be laid out by the Government according to the Plan of the said City, and
within the Boundaries of that tract, well known by the name of the Jamaica
Farm..." A wonderful glimpse at the infancy our Capitol, which developed from
farmland to power center. 1792 marked the beginning of Blodget's career in
Washington real estate, a career that ended with him jailed as a result of
debts incurred while speculating.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 215
Clay, Henry
(1777-1852). Statesman and famed orator. Clay unsuccessfully ran for
President in 1824, 1831, and 1844.
Manuscript Letter Signed ("H
Clay"). As Senator. One page, quarto, Washington D.C., April 21, 1838. To
George Getz, Esquire. Two horizontal and two vertical folds; ink has smeared
affecting four words of text. Else, in fine to very fine condition.
Clay
writes to Getz, a publisher and bookseller in the process of starting a Whig
newspaper: "I do not regret your declining the publication of the Morning
Star, as I always feel apprehensive that any enterprise prompted by a friendly
regard for me, might not turn out advantageously for the person who undertakes
it..." Later, he comments on the political environment: "On whomsoever
public opinion may finally unite, whether it be myself or another, I sincerely
hope that the harmony & concert, so essential to success, may not be disturbed.
The great object should be to eject from the public councils those rulers who
have brought ruin & affliction upon the country..."
Estimated Value
$1,200-1,400.
Lot 216
Davis, Jefferson.
Document Signed ("Jefferson Davis"). One page, recto and verso,
April 10, 1865. Being a solicitation to furnish supplies to Confederate troops
in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama, endorsed by General Howell
Cobb and Davis on verso docket. Toning, minor separation at two horizontal
folds, minor paper loss at margins. Good condition.
On February 20,
1865, a merchant in Macon, Georgia (signing as "C.A.L. Lamar" -- probably the
notorious slaver and secessionist Charles Augustus Lafayette Lamar)
offers to supply "the country between the Savannah River on the Atlantic & the
Apalachicola River on the Gulf...I want no advances from the Government, will
demand cotton upon delivery of the goods...I have two of the fastest ships in
the world, all ready to go immediately into the business" The verso of the
letter reveals the declining fortunes of the South, in a note from General
Howell Cobb: "...I am clearly and decidedly of opinions that we should obtain
all the supplies which our cotton will get for us... should not hesitate to
make such a contract with Mr. Lamar whom I know and whose ability to carry out
his proposition I have no doubt about..." Davis, signing the day after Lee
surrendered at Appomattox, writes "Col. Bapire [?] for
consideration...Jefferson Davis/10 April 65".
Estimated Value
$2,000-3,000.
Lot 217
Ellsworth, Oliver
(1745-1807). American politician. Ellsworth, a delegate to the Continental
Congress and Constitutional Convention, served on the Committee of Five that
prepared the first draft of the Constitution. Domestic matters pulled him away
before he could sign the document he helped write, but he was instrumental in
its ratification in Connecticut. Influential in the organization of the federal
judiciary, he served as the Chief Justice to the United States. John Adams
called Ellsworth "The finest pillar of Washington's whole administration".
Document Signed ("O Ellsworth"). One page, oblong quarto,
Hartford, Connecticut, June 14, 1776. Docketed on the verso. In black ink. To
John Lawrence, Treasurer. With five horizontal folds, light toning at edges. In
very good condition overall.
Though 1776 was obviously a busy year for
Ellsworth he manages here to complete his political by duties issuing one
Captain Asahel Clark specified funds.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 218
Ellsworth, Oliver.
Document Signed ("Oliv Ellsworth"). One page, octavo, Hartford,
Connecticut, July 15, 1773. Docketed on the verso. In black ink. To John
Lawrence, Treasurer. With one vertical and two horizontal folds, a lengthy
split along one fold. Still in good condition overall.
Here, Oliver
Ellsworth grants one William Bale five pounds and two pence for his
disbursements in the Connecticut Colony.
Estimated Value $125-175.
Lot 219
Franklin, Benjamin
(1706-1790) American scientist, inventor, intellectual, politician and
diplomat; one of the best-known personages of the 18th century. Naturally
curious and incredibly intelligent, Franklin established himself as a printer
and publisher, invented a safer stove, wrote numerous scientific treatises,
experimented with electricity and developed the bifocal. In the political
sphere, Franklin was one of the framers of the Declaration of Independence and
the Constitution, secured military and financial help from France during the
Revolutionary War and helped to negotiate the treaty that finally ended the
War. Although he found Pennsylvania politics a "fatiguing business," Franklin
spent his final years guiding his state and the nation through the turmoil of
post-War change and the establishment of the structures of democratic
government, serving as President of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania and
playing a prominent role at the Constitutional Convention. At his death in
1790, Franklin's funeral was attended by 20,000, the House of Representatives
passed a motion for official mourning and the entire body of the National
Assembly of France donned black in his honor.
Document Signed ("B
Franklin Pres"). As President of the Executive Council of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. One page,
7¼ x 5½", Philadelphia, December 7, 1785. Countersigned at left
(vertically) by David Rittenhouse as Treasurer of the State of
Pennsylvania. Being an order of payment for one year's interest on the
depreciation certificate of one Adam Sybert, late of Schott's Company. Endorsed
and docketed on verso. Framed and matted with an engraving of Franklin, to an
overall size of 20½ x 12½". Apparent water damage has caused
manuscript ink to bleed to a very minor degree throughout the document and
Franklin's signature is slightly affected, particularly at the "B Fr",
minor adhesive residue and ink bleed-through at the bottom edge, minor chips at
right edge. Not examined out of frame, but overall condition (despite ink
bleed) is good.
The issuance of depreciation certificates to Adam
Seybert and other soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line was a result of the men
having been paid for their Revolutionary War service in depreciated currency --
the interest payments helped to mollify the soldiers concerns over compensation
and encouraged economic growth. Concern over pay was so great that in June 1783
almost three hundred soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line surrounded the State
House and demanded that Congress issue assurances they would receive back pay
before being mustered out. Facing these economic and the many other conflicts
inherent in building a new society and government, the citizens of Pennsylvania
cheered Franklin's 1784 return to Philadelphia, relying on him to broker
compromise between the many factions seeking to control the state. Elected
President of the Council almost unanimously, Franklin (at age 80) confided to a
friend "I apprehend they expect too much of me." But he did indeed calm the
troubled waters, serving three years as President of the Council and moving the
state through the most tumultuous times of the young Republic.
Estimated
Value $7,500-UP.
Lot 220
Hartley, Thomas
(1748-1800) American patriot, Revolutionary War Colonel in the Pennsylvania
Regiment, first member of Congress from Pennsylvania.
Document Signed
("Thos Hartley"). One page, large octavo, York, May 21, 1787. Being a
legal settlement receipt for £200.00. Docketed verso. Two vertical folds,
minor toning at edges and two minor areas of ink show through to the recto,
else very good to fine.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 221
Hoover, J. Edgar
(1895-1972). Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 48 years,
he built the bureau into one of the most effective, if occasionally
controversial, law enforcement organizations in the world.
Signature
("J. Edgar Hoover"). 8 x 11", n.p., [1968]. In blue ink. Signed on the
inside front cover of The Story of the F.B.I. Accompanied by copy of
letter from Hoover's secretary. Some adhesive residue at inside spine,
signature not affected. Very good condition.
A 48 page "Spotlight Wonder
Book," The Story of the F.B.I. explains the inner workings of the Bureau
to children.
Estimated Value $125-150.
Lot 222
King, Martin Luther,
Jr./NAACP Archive (1929-1968) U.S. Baptist minister and civil rights
activist. He opposed discrimination against blacks by organizing nonviolent
resistance and peaceful mass demonstrations, and was a notable orator. He was
awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1964. Assassinated in Memphis; his
birthday (Jan. 15) was later made a national holiday.
An outstanding
archive of 34 pieces related to the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960s. This
lot includes a Typed Letter Signed by Rev. King ("Martin L King Jr") on
SCLC letterhead; a Typed Letter Signed by Medgar Evers ("Medgar W
Evers") on NAACP letterhead; a Typed Letter Signed by Charles Evers
("Charles"); three LBJ letters signed in autopen; two letters from Rev.
King's secretary trying to arrange a speaking engagement; a black and white
photo of Rev. King, one of Medgar Evers and one of Charles Evers. Additional
materials include funeral and memorial service programs for Medgar Evers,
newspaper articles about Rev. King, various SCLC materials and a memorial
service program for Rev. King, a very nice printed portrait of King as well as
an 8 x 10" black and white photo of Rev. King receiving an honor. All of the
letters are addressed to Charles McLean, NAACP director for North Carolina.
Conditions vary, there is toning on a few of the documents, but overall
conditions are very good to fine.
Rev. King's 1965 TLS reveals the many
responsibilities of his leadership position: "It seems that we just can't get
together...Since I am away from my church so much during the week, I have had
to come to the conclusion that I cannot accept more than one Sunday engagement
away from my church in any month. My calendar reveals that I have accepted the
maximum number of Sunday engagements for the next nine or ten months..." Evers'
1961 letter reveals the reach of his concerns as NAACP director "A Negro
Soldier passing through Jackson, recent, asked me to deliver this to you...He
feels that, Negroes are being denied chances in business ventures, because many
are without the knowledge of such Federal agencies as SBA..."
Estimated
Value $7,000-8,000.
Lot 223
Lee, Richard Henry
(1732-1794). Early American statesman and Signer of the Declaration of
Independence. Born into a reputable Virginia family, Lee was schooled in
England before returning to the colonies, where he became politically active.
He opposed the 1765 Stamp Act, a defiant stance which marked the path towards
revolution with England. Lee was a member of both the First and Second
Continental Congress and penned the Declaration of Rights of the
Colonies, a document which led to the Declaration of Independence.
Autograph Letter Signed ("Richard Henry Lee"). One page, quarto,
Philadelphia, March 3, 1791. To "Dear Cousin." Transmittal folds with
professionally reinforced verso folds, scattered light staining and overall
toning. Very good to fine condition.
As a scion of his family, Lee was
naturally concerned over the welfare of all: "...I received your letter
informing me that our Cousin was fast recovering -- I am very happy to hear it,
and I hope that he will take all possible care not to cause a relapse by any
intemperance or too hasty exposure. He should be implicitly guided ...by his
friend and physician Dr. Beatty...I have not hitherto been able to forward the
Oranges -- I will do it, if I can fine any person to take charge of them...Let
me know how William goes on."
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
Lot 224
Mifflin, Thomas
(1744-1800). American revolutionary general and statesman. Mifflin was the
first governor of Pennsylvania, serving from 1790-1799, and was also a member
of the first Congress in 1774 and a signer of the Constitution.
Document Signed ("Tho Mifflin"). As Governor of Pennsylvania.
One page, oblong folio, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1798. Being a land grant. On
parchment. In black ink. With original wafer seal affixed at the upper left.
Framed to an overall size of 33½ x 23½". One horizontal and two
vertical folds, a small spot of paper loss at upper left edge, two water stains
at intersections of folds at center, light toning. In good condition
overall.
After a parcel of Pennsylvanian land had been paid for by one
Richard Tittermary, the stately Mifflin signs this Land Deed granting one
Thomas Shields a plot of roughly 400 acres.
Estimated Value $225-300.
Lot 225
Mifflin, Thomas.
Document Signed. ("Tho Mifflin"). As governor of Pennsylvania.
Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. One page, oblong folio,
Pennsylvania, May 26, 1794. Being a "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" land grant.
On parchment. In brown ink. With original wafer seal intact. One horizontal and
four vertical folds, toning and light stains. In fair to good condition
overall.
Just months prior to the Whiskey Rebellion, Governor Mifflin
grants a parcel of land in Donnigal to one Richard Williams.
Estimated
Value $200-300.
Lot 226
Morris, Charles
(1784-1856) One of America's foremost Naval officers, Farragut called
Morris "the ablest sea officer of his day". Successful commands at sea resulted
in his promotions to various high-level administrative positions, where he was
intensely involved in every aspect of naval endeavor, helping to build the
modern navy.
Autograph Letter Signed ("C. Morris"). One page,
quarto, Washington D.C., October 21, 1819. To the Secretary of the Navy.
Addressed and docketed on verso. Mailing folds, toning. Very good to
fine.
Typical of his involvement in naval matters, here Morris pens the
defense of a lieutenant: "...the promotion of Lieut M. Pettigrew has been
delayed from a report.of his intemperance...during the time he has been under
my command at Portsmouth I have never known him intoxicated..." A very nice
example of Morris' concern for his men and the navy itself.
Estimated Value
$150-200.
Lot 227
Pickering, Timothy.
Autograph Letter Signed ("Timothy Pickering"). As Secretary of War.
One page, recto and verso, small quarto, "War Office", October 17, 1795.
To Henry Glen. Transmittal folds, scattered toning, small chip at top edge.
Very good to fine.
Interesting content, as Pickering gives instructions
for the payment of an annuity to the Six Nations of Indians (the Iroquois), in
the form of goods. "...The annuity due to the six Nations will shortly be
forwarded. They are all purchased. For their transportation up the Mohawk River
I think two or three bateaux would be sufficient. The part destined for the
Oneidas I shall direct to be landed at Whitestown...The quantity of goods will
be the purchase of about four thousand dollars --- without any liquors..."
In 1790, Pickering had held successful negotiations with the Senecas and
thereafter found himself on many other such assignments. The treaty with the
Six Nations had been signed a year before this letter was written. Pickering,
as Secretary of War, continued to be responsible for Native American affairs.
Estimated Value $1,100-1,300.
Lot 228
Shultz, George P.
Signature ("George P. Shultz"). As Secretary of the Treasury. Signed
one dollar bill, framed to 9 x 5". Inscribed "...with my admiration...and
good wishes." Fine.
Estimated Value $25-50.
Lot 229
Thomas, George.
Manuscript Document Signed ("Geo. Thomas"). One page, small oblong
folio, Philadelphia, June 5, 1746. Being a military commission for one John
Diemer. Paper and wax seal intact. Toning to edges, minor chipping, verso of
folds strengthened with tape, minor surface soil. Very good
condition.
Commissioned a captain, Diemer is authorized "...to beat
up for Volunteers within the said Government in order to raise a Company which
is to consist of one hundred Men including four Sergeants, Four Corporals and
Two Drummers, of which you are to be Captain, Provided you shall compleat your
Levy in time for Marching the said Company to Albany...for an Expedition
against Canada..." Louisbourg fortress, on the coast of Nova Scotia, had
been captured by New England volunteers in 1745 and aggression against Canada
continued.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,500.