Sale 301

U.S. Autographs, Stamps and Postal History


Autographs and Americana: Revolutionary War Period
 
 
Lot Photo Description
Lot 1028

Burgoyne, John, British Revolutionary War General, his surrender at Saratoga was the turning point of the American Revolution. ALS, "J. Burgoyne", 1p, 6¾ x 8¾ Castel de Vide, Lisbon, Portugal, Oct. 18, 1762. Letter to "My Lord" thanking him for granting a request and "I shall punctually obey your Lordship's orders relative to the Light Infantry Company…"; vertical fold through "u" of signature, very minor toning, Fine.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
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Lot 1029

Chase, Samuel (1743-1811), Delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Maryland, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Justice of U.S. Supreme Court (1796-1811). Free frank, Baltimore, Sept. 24, 1796. Address leaf in Chase's hand to James McHenry, "Secretary of War", in Phila, handstamped postmark "Balt Sep 25", docketed by McHenry "24 Sepr. 1796, Saml Chase"; mending of paper loss at fold junctions, light soiling along folds, Fine. Includes photocopy of the original letter which has been excised from the address leaf.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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Lot 1030

Clymer, George (1739-1813), Delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Pennsylvania (1776) Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. ALS, "GC", 2p (both sides of the same sheet), 7 x 9, "Charles Town" (Charleston, S.C.), Apr. 29, 1796. Clymer writes to his son, Harry, about a difficult sea passage, probably from Phila to Charleston, and in particular the toll it took on Mrs. Clymer. Integral address leaf with handstamped "Charleston/April 29" straightline postmark; some browning and edge wear, paper loss on address side where wax seal has been removed, Fine and rare.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
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Lot 1031

Gates, Horatio, American Revolutionary War Major General, with a Congressional clique known as the "Conway cabal" attempted to supplant George Washington as Commander-in-Chief (1777).ALS, "Horatio Gates, Adjutant General", 1¼p, 7½ x 12¼ Headquarters, July 29, 1775. Letter to "Lieut:t Col: [Loammi] Baldwin, Commanding at Chelsea" [Mass.] with integral address leaf. During the "Boston Siege" (1775-76) Gates conveys Washington's wishes… "The General received your letter acquainting him with the Inhabitants being now sending out of Boston to Chelsea. His Excellency Orders you upon no Account to suffer any that are sent thither by General Gages Order, and permission, to come to this Camp, or the Camp at Roxbury until you receive his positive Commands for it. The General Court of the province were wrote to immediately upon your Letter arriving this afternoon, & they will no doubt forthwith give proper directions for the disposal, & the provision necessary for all the Inhabitants that come from Boston to Chelsea. As there can be nothing Hostile to apprehend with you, while this Transaction is going on, the General does not see any morning relating to the misbehaviour of Capt. Lindsay. If there are any reasons for your demanding a reinforcement, more than what appears by your last letter, will inform the General thereof by return of the Express." Some splitting along folds, minor paper loss on address leaf, Fine.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000

Gates, who was in command of the Northern department of the Continental Army, was given, and gladly accepted, credit for the defeat of Burgoyne, but in fact it was Generals Benedict Arnold and Philip Schuyler who actually defeated Burgoyne before Gates even arrived on the scene. It was Gates' and the cabal's disrespecting of Washington, Schuyler and Arnold that eventually led to the latter's downward slide toward treason.

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Lot 1032

Hamilton, Alexander (1757-1804), Delegate to the Constitutional Convention from New York (1782), member of the Constitutional Convention (1787), signer and chief framer of the U.S. Constitution, Secretary of the Treasury (1789-95). Printed circular letter signed, "A. Hamilton" as Secretary of the Treasury, 3 pp (1 sheet) 7½ strip of 9 (Washington, D.C.), July 22, 1792. Letter deals with past and future revisions to the Coasting Act of 1789, which regulated trade between U.S. ports, with an eye toward favoring American-owned ships. Letter argues semantics of the law, Hamilton has signed at the bottom of the third page; some toning and repaired splitting along folds, Fine.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
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Lot 1033

Henry, Patrick (1736-1799), Delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Virginia, outspoken advocate for American independence famous for his phrase "Give me liberty or give me death", General in the Continental Army. ALS, "P. Henry", 1p, 6¼ x 7½ P(rince) Edward (County, VA.), Jan. 12, 1790. Henry writes "John Hurt has been here & he has not hired any Negroes. They went so high that he would not give the prices, nor does he know where to get any that will suit — I have enquired but to no purpose — Hurt is at a stand what to do. A woman & 2 children are offered for £6 — I think it too much — especially as coin is scarce with you." He then speaks of a meeting where he hopes to "…conclude upon the steps necessary for breaking with the Indians & paying the money to the State of Georgia — the latter puzzles me very much & I must sell some Negroes & borrow some Tobaco [sic], or contrive some way to make out my part." Laminated in mylar, overall browning with a few words affected by creases, minor bit of repaired paper loss, Very Good.
Estimate 6,000 - 8,000
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Lot 1034

Henry, Patrick (1736-1799), ALS, "P. Henry", 1p, 6½ x 8, Lex Sherwood, Mar. 15, 1790. Henry writes to his brother-in-law, General Thomas Madison. "I send the bearer for the money due me on your bond which I hope it is convenient to pay as I am in real distress for it. A messenger sent by me to Wmsburg returned last night & brot. me no money which was the errand he went on. I have met with so many disappointments that I know not what will be the consequences if the bearer returns without money. I send him also to Humphrey for his money…" The rest is mainly family matters. Mild toning and creasing with some paper loss, mainly in the integral address leaf, laminated in mylar, Fine.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000

On March 23, 1775, at the third Virginia convention, held in St. John's Church in Richmond, Henry, generally considered the most powerful speaker of his time, urged his fellow Virginians to arm in self-defense, closing his appeal with the immortal words: "I know not what course others may take; but as for me give me liberty or give me death." Henry's call to arms was carried, over the protests of more conservative patriots,causing Lord Dunsmore, the British Governor of Virginia, to seize the gunpowder from the magazine at Williamsburg. Henry, then a Virginia militia Colonel, with his troops, faced down Dunsmore, forcing him to have the gunpowder returned to the militia. Henry's action followed the British march on Concord by only a few hours, and is said to have been the beginning of the American Revolution in Virginia.

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Lot 1035

Hooper, William (1742-1790), Delegate to the Constitutional Convention from North Carolina (1774-77), Signer of the Declaration of Independence, LS, "Will Hooper", 4pp, 7½ x 9½ Edenton, N.C., Nov. 7, 1786. Letter to a Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, asking that Witherspoon take charge of finding a replacement teacher for the recently established Academy of Hillsborough, spelling out qualifications and benefits of the position; signature clear but slightly smeared, inlaid to narrow paper frame, Fine and rare.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
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Lot 1036

Page, Mann, Jr. (1742-1779), Delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Virginia (1777), Wardate ALS, "Mann Pager Junr.", 1p, 8¼ x 13, Baltimore, Mar. 5, 1777, with integral address leaf to Brigadier General George Weldon tells of being stranded in Baltimore when congress returned to Phila and concludes with "I am still in the Small Pox, therefore cannot write more than I am.", manuscript "Free, Mann Page Junr.", straightline postmark "Baltimore, March 15." on reverse; slight aging along folds, Fine and exceedingly rare ALS and Free frank.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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Lot 1037

Paine, Thomas (1737-1809), American Patriot and libertarian political philosopher, wrote pamphlet "Common Sense" (1776), urging immediate independence for the American colonies. ANS, "Thomas Pine", 1p 7 x 4¾ "4 Vandarmaire" (Paris), no date. Paine writes to Ethan Allen, "Dear Citizen — I called at the Casse Boston today, where I dined, but you were not at home, — will you call on me tomorrow morning at 12 oclock —". On the verso Paine has addressed the folded sheet to "L. General Allen, Americain"; lightly toned with minor ink bleeding in spots, small bit of paper loss, Very Good.
Estimate 20,000 - 30,000

Both Paine and Allen were avid and outspoken advocates of Deism, a religious philosophy that strips away revelation and is left with a belief in God based solely on reason and nature. Paine, in fact, was too radical even by American standards and moved to Europe. In 1792 he beame a French citizen.

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Lot 1038

Revere, Paul (1735-1818), American Patriot, printer and silversmith. ADS, "Paul Revere Lt Col", 1p (2 sides), 7¾ x 21, Castle Island (Boston Harbor), May 10, 1779. "I certify that Bela Gardiner, Capt Warner Compy & James Cushings of Cass & Cushing Compy have a right to two months necessary for Jany & Feby", docketed on verso "Col. Reveres certificate for Bela Gardiner & James Cushing, May 10, 1879"; Revere seems to have been at a loss for paper because also on verso is a previous note in Revere's hand "Mr. Devin, I should be glad you would receive orders for Jacob Gardiner necessy as he is confined to the Island. (signed) P. Revere Lt. Col"; vertical fold partly separated but easily repairable and not affecting signatures, narrow strip of paper tape along top edge on verse, Very Good and rare.
Estimate 10,000 - 15,000
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Lot 1039

Stark, John (1728-1822), American Revolutionary War General, responsible for the New Hampshire state motto, "Live free or die.", ADS, "John Stark, BG" [Brig. General], 1p, 7½ x 3, Newport, Oct. 32, 1779. Pass "To all Concerned". Mr. March has leave to pass with his Boat to Providence & to carry a piece o linnen [sic] & some Tea, Two Cases & a half of knives & forks & a small Trunk." Tape stains on verso show through at corners, paper loss at edge, double-matted and framed to an overall 12½ x 8½ Very Good.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
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Lot 1040

Stockton, Richard (1731-1781), Delegate to the Constitutional Convention from New Jersey (1776), Signer of the Declaration of Independence, DS, "Rich Stockton", 1p, 7¼ x 11, Perth Amboy, N.J., Nov. 9, 1763. Power of attorney granted by one Daniel Leonard to noted patriot, Elias Boudinot, on order to confess judgement for Leonard as the defendant in a suit by Ezekiel Forman; Stockton has signed as a witness; silked and slightly trimmed, Fine and scarce signature.
Estimate 2,500 - 3,000
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Lot 1041

Stone, Thomas (1743-1787), Delegate to the Continental Congress from Maryland (1775-76, 1777-78, 1783-84), Signer of the Declaration of Independence, ADS, "T Stone", 1p, 7½ x 8½ Charles County, Md., Nov. 30, 1772. Legal document requesting the attachment of "Goods and chattels Rights and Credits" of one Francis Miller to repay the debt to Gustavus Richard Brown, whom Stone represents, countersigned by Charles County Clerk, J. Hawkins; rebacked joining separated folds and tears, document clear and signature unaffected. A very rare signer.
Estimate 6,000 - 8,000
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Lot 1042

Whipple, William (1730-1785), Delegate to the Constitutional Convention from New Hampshire (1775), Wardate ALS, "WW", 1p, 7 x 9, Portsmouth, N.H., Dec 14, 1779. Letter to N.H. Congressman Nathaniel Peabody, himself a Delegate to the Constitutional Convention from, in Philadelphia, mildly chastising him for not writing, mentioning Genl. (Nathaniel) Folsom, another N.H. Delegate and Major General in the war, reminding him "that I am still in existence…"; lightly foxed and slightly reduced, some paper loss on integral address leaf where Peabody has docketed "Genl Whipple".
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
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Lot 1043

Revolutionary War document, partly printed DS, 1p, 16 x 13, Massachusetts Bay Colony, Feb 14, 1776. Appointment of John Bliss as "Lieutenant Colonel of the first Regiment of Militia" in Hampshire County, signed by 16 members of the Colony's council including John Winthrop, scientist, Thomas Cushing, statesman, John Whitcomb, Brig. General, Samuel Holton, statesman, Michael Farley and Benjamin Lincoln, both Major Generals; moderate wear with mending and minor paper loss at folds, average toning and edge clipping, still attractive with interesting paper seal of the Colony.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
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