Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 49

Manuscript, Collectibles and Aerospace Auction

Signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 813		Chase, Samuel (1741-1811) Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1796-1811). Extraordinary partly-printed document signed as Chief Judge of the State of Maryland, 1p, 8 x 6¾ in., Baltimore, 1 February 1794. With seven words inserted in Chase's hand. The certificate states: "I Samuel Chase, Chief Judge of the State of Maryland, do hereby certify all whom it may concern, that on the first Day of February in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Four personally appeared before me Banard Lafon and did repeat and subscribe a Declaration of his belief in the Christian Religion, and the Oath required by the Act of Assembly of this State, entitled, 'An Act for Naturalization.' In Testimony of the Truth hereof, I the said Samuel Chase, have hereunto put my Hand, at Baltimore Town, in the said State of Maryland, the Day and year above-mentioned." With decorative border at top and blank integral leaf. Minor mouse damage at top left edge and light edge wear, else fine. Boldly signed with a paraph. Less than three years earlier, the Bill of Rights was adopted, which made it clear that there was no established religion in the United States and that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Five years after he signed the present document, Chase would rule in another case (Runkel v. Winemiller): "…By our form of government, the Christian religion is the established religion; and all sects and denominations of Christians are placed upon the same equal footing, and are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty." In late 1804, Chase was served with eight articles of impeachment, becoming the only U.S. Supreme Court justice to ever be impeached. On 1 March 1805, the Senate voted to acquit him of all charges. Estimated Value $4,500 - 5,500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 814		Clark, Abraham (1726-94) Signer of the Declaration of Independence, member of the New Jersey Council of Safety and the Provincial Assembly. He served in the U. S. House of Representatives in both the Second and Third U. S. Congress (1791-94). Autograph endorsement signed "Cepi Corpus / Abra: Clark Sh[eriff]" on verso of a partly-printed court document, completed in clerical hand, 1p, 6 x 7¼ in., Newark, 18 June 1766. The document is a warrant for the arrest of John Little Junior. Clark's notation "Cepi Corpus," literally "I have taken the body" in Latin, verifies that Clark has Little in custody. Minor toning and folds. Small (1¾ x 2¼ in.) clipping with Clark's biograph is affixed to the verso, not affecting the docket or endorsement. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,200
Lot 815		Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) Founding Father; Signer of the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris, and the U.S. Constitution; diplomat, statesman, printer and inventor. Autograph Letter Signed twice in the text, once as ("Mr. Franklin") and once as ("Mr. F"), 1p, 9¼ x 7½ in., Passy (France), 2 Mar. 1785. Fine; boldly written, with minor toning and light creasing at lower right. In full: "Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Partridge, & begs his Care of the enclos'd Letter to Govr. Pownall now at Marseilles, it relating to the Affairs of Mr. Barry. Mr. F. takes the Liberty Mr. Partridge was so good as to allow him of sending a packet to his Care for Mr. Barry; and he heartily wishes Mr. & Miss Partridge a prosperous Journey. Passy, March 2, 1785." This letter was written from Franklin's home outside of Paris, six months before he returned to the United States, after spending nine years in France. He was sent by Congress in 1776, as one of a committee of three, to negotiate a treaty with France. In September 1778, he was appointed sole minister plenipotentiary to France, and in 1781, he was appointed commissioner, along with John Jay and John Adams, to negotiate peace with Great Britain. The final peace was signed September 3, 1783. After returning to Philadelphia, Franklin was president of the Pennsylvlania executive council (1785-87), and was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Thomas Pownall, to whom the letter was sent, was the former colonial governor of Massachusetts (1756-60), and a good friend of Franklin's and of America, even during the Revolution. John Barry (1745-1803) whose affairs Franklin mentions, was a naval officer during the American Revolution; his fame was second only to that of John Paul Jones. In 1776, he was appointed to command the brig Lexington and captured the British tender Edward, which was the first ship ever taken by a commissioned officer of the U.S. Navy. In 1778, Barry became commander of the Raleigh, which was pursued and driven ashore by a British man-of-war. In 1781, as commander of the Alliance, he captured the British ships Trepassy and Atlanta. As a result of his outstanding record, Barry was named senior captain, the highest post in the Navy at that time, and was given the courtesy title of commodore. In 1794, he was made commodore of the United States, one of the Navy's new flagships. From 1798 to 1801, he directed American naval operations in the West Indies. Estimated Value $13,000 - 15,000. From the private collection of Dr. Hiri Etessami. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 816		Franklin, Benjamin. Autograph endorsement signed ("B. Franklin"), 1½ x 6 in., n.p., n.d. Above the signature, also in Franklin's hand, is "Sealed and Delivered in the presence of" all of which was cut from a document. Matted with a portrait of Franklin and framed to an overall size of 16½ x 15½ in. Fine. Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $5,463
Lot 817		[ Franklin, Benjamin] Reverse Painted Profile Portrait, c. 1820. Right-profile portrait painted in black with gilt highlights in reverse on glass; featuring a bust-length Franklin wearing cap, above the painted words: "BENJ: FRANKLIN". Housed in its original period black-enameled frame, with gilt trim, measuring 7¼ x 6¼ in. overall. There is some chipping and wear to the frame but the painted profile itself is in very fine condition. A wonderful display item. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 818		Hancock, John (1737-93) First Signer of the Declaration of Independence; President of the Continental Congress (1775-77); Governor of Massachusetts (1780-85, 1787-93). Document signed as Governor of Massachusetts, 1p, 11½ x 14¾ in., 6 Oct. 1790. Appointing "James Little Gentleman … Captain of a Company in the second Regiment, first Brigade and fifth Division of the Militia … comprehending the Counties of Plimouth, Marnstable, Bristol, Dukes County & Nantucket". Fine; some toning at right margin and possible small repair; not examined out of frame. Hancock's beautiful bold signature is at center left, under the large, attractive paper seal. Matted with a portrait of Hancock and framed to an overall size of 21¾ x 33 in.; frame has several nicks. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $4,140
Lot 819		Harrison, Benjamin (1726-91) Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Governor of Virginia. Document signed ("Benj Harrison") as Governor of Virginia, 1p, 18 x 15 in., Richmond, Virginia, 12 April 1784. An unusual and desirable land transfer involving signer of the Declaration of Independence Benjamin Harrison and "George Washington of Mount Vernon," whose name is mentioned five times. "…in consideration of military service performed by Charles Myn Thurston as a Leutenant according to the terms of the King of Great Britains prolclimation…one thousand seven Hundred and Sixty three, there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto George Washington of Mount Vernon, assignee of the said Charles Myn Thurston a certain Tract…of land containing….Two Thousand acres of Land…in the County of Green Bryer…." Fold splits; some professional fold repairs on verso. Paper seal is intact at lower left. In 1754, Lieutenant Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia issued a proclamation offering land as well as pay to those who enlisted in the local militia for French and Indian War. George Washington's Virginia Regiment was offered a share in 200,000 acres west of the Ohio River, but a Royal Proclamation in 1763 forbade colonial governors from issuing land grants west of the Allegheny Mountains. Over 20 years would pass before the soldiers received title to their bounty lands. Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,500. Ex Parke-Bernet Galleries, Oliver R. Barrett Sale, Oct. 31, 1950, #513. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 820		Huntington, Samuel (1731-96) Signer of the Declaration of Independence; President of the Continental Congress; Governor of Connecticut. Partly-printed document signed ("Saml Huntington President") as President of the Continental Congress, 1p, vellum, 6½ x 10¾ in., Philadelphia, 21 April 1780. Countersigned by Ben Stoddert as Secretary of the Board of War. Partial seal affixed with red wax at upper left. Appointing John Hardman as "Captain Lieutenant in the second Maryland Regiment in the Army of the United States…." Overall age toning; minor soiling, else fine. Dark signature of Huntington on the indentation line at lower right. Benjamin Stoddert later served as the first U.S. Secretary of the Navy (1798-1801). On 16 August 1780, Gen. Horatio Gates was surprised north of Camden by a British force of 2,200 troops under Lt. Gen. Lord Charles Cornwallis. After the first attack, most of the Continentals escaped. Only General lde Kalb's Second Maryland Brigade (with Hardman in command of a company), the Delaware Continentals, and Dixon's North Carolina militia continued in battle. General de Kalb and Capt. Lt. Hardman were among those wounded and captured on 16 August. Three days later, Baron de Kalb died of his wounds, and Hardman succumbed on 1 Sept. 1780. On 25 Jan. 1906, the War Department issued General Orders No. 20, which said in part: "…names of seacoast batteries are announced as follows: On the Fort Baldwin, Maine, Military Reservation…Battery John Hardman, in honor of Captain John Hardman, 2d Maryland Regiment, Continental Army, who was wounded and taken prisoner at Camden, South Carolina, and who died while a prisoner of war September 1, 1780." Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,340
Lot 821		Nelson, Thomas (1738-89) A member of the Continental Congress where he offered the Virginia resolution calling for independence and was a Signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Virginia forces and raised a company which he led to Philadelphia. In 1781 he was elected Governor of Virginia and joined Washington at the siege of Yorktown. Autograph letter signed ("Thos Nelson Jr"), 1¼pp, 8 x 6 in., Williamsburg, Virginia, 31 Dec. 1784. To an unidentified correspondent whom Nelson refers to as "your Excellency," introducing "my intimate friend Capt. Singleton…Hearing that collectors are appointed to different districts, he intends to offer his services for the upper District of James River; and as I know, you wish…to reward singular-merit, I the more cheerfully comply with Capt. Singletons desire. His behavior as an officer during the War gain'd him the esteem of the Army, and his conduct as a citizen, since that period has deservedly made every man, who knows him his friend…." Since Nelson is seeking a political favor regarding a minor civil servant's position in Virginia, he is probably writing to Governor Patrick Henry. Very good; the letter is somewhat faded and the signature more so but legible. Letter is inlaid into a small border. Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 822		Penn, John (1740 -1788) Signer of the Declaration of Independence and of the Articles of Association. Autograph docket on verso of a warrant, signed with his initials ("J.P."), 1p, 3¼ x 7¼ in., Granville County, North Carolina, 5 May 1783. The document is a warrant is for William Dodson, who is accused by his brother Charles Dodson, Jr. of trespassing, and is signed by Asa Searey, Clerk of the Court. Penn wrote on the verso, "Dodson very scarce. Dodson}Writ. To Augt Term 1783 Non est. J.P." Sheriff Thornton Yancey signed below the docket. Charles Dodson, Sr. had received a grant of 625 acres of land from Lord Earl Granville in 1756. William inherited the land and gave Charles Jr. 200 acres in 1760. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 823		Rush, Benjamin (1745-1813) Signer of the Declaration of Independence; American Physician and Educator. True copy of a letter written by Dr. Benjamin Rush to "the Right Honble Lord Buchan," 2pp (1 sheet, front and back), 9 x 7¼ in., Philadelphia, 4 July 4, 1809. Being a formal letter of introduction which evokes the names of General George Washington and President James Madison. In part: "…my third son Dr. James Rush and a favorite Pupil Dr. Thomas Fuller (the son of a wealthy and respectable planter in South Carolina) who visit Edinburgh in order to prosecute their studies in medicine… They will inform your Lordship how much joy the renewal of the intercourse of our Country with great Britain diffused through all Classes of our citizens and the prosperity and happiness the united states now enjoy in the Administration of our government by Mr. Madison who with his own native talents aided by the singular prudence and common sense of his predecessor General Washington has nearly driven party spirit from the Councils and people of our country…" Notated at the end, "A true copy from the original in my possession - Robert Anderson M.D." This true copy is written on fine period laid paper with an "1813" watermark. Excellent content. Estimated Value $1,000 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold