Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 56

Manuscript, Collectibles and Aerospace Auction

Signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 60		Carroll, Charles (1737-1832) Signer of the Declaration of Independence; member of the Continental Congress. He was the only Catholic Signer and the last surviving Signer. Autograph Letter Signed "Ch. Carroll of Carrollton," 1½ pp (one sheet) with integral address leaf, Baltimore, Nov. 18, 1825. The 88-year -old Carroll writes in a tremulous hand about financial matters to David F. Brice in Annapolis, discussing how to handle various debts. In the case of William Nichols, whose property Brice had "distrained." Carroll says, "I believe Nichols to be an honest man…will sell the articles, particularly the tobacco…and apply the proceeds…to the discharge of his debt…. " He closes by discussing the benefits of plaster, "I know it is too light for wheat, but plaster will stiffen the soil, improve it by producing clover…." Fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 61		Clymer, George (1739-1813) American Founding Father; one of six people to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Autograph document Signed "Geo Clymer," 4¼ x 8 in, n.p., July 19, 1799. A promissory note to Samuel Meredith for $1380. Margins are chipped and uneven and a couple of tape repairs on verso, not affecting text or signature.With embossed Pennsylvania revenue stamp at upper left. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $235
Lot 62		Franklin, Benjamin. Document Signed "B. Franklin, Presid.t" as President of the Supreme Council of Pennsylvania, 2pp (recto/verso of one sheet), Philadelphia, Sept. 29, 1788. Being the petition of Jesse Mount, who declares that Daniel Danser owes him "two hundred pounds and upwards" and that said Danser "did on or about the Twenty fifth day of July last part, become a Bankrupt…to the intent to defraud and hinder your said Petitioner and others his Creditors." Mount asks Franklin "to grant unto your Petitioner a Commission under the Great Seal of the Commonwealth to be directed to such and so many well disposed and discreet persons as to your Excellency may seem meet, authorising them thereby not only concerning the said Bankrupt, his Body, Lands, Tenements, Freehold and Customary Goods, debts and other things whatsoever, but also concerning all other Persons who by concealment, claim or otherwise do or shall offend touching the Premises or any part thereof contrary to the true intent and meaning of the said Acts of Assembly, and to do and execute all and every thing mindful and necessary, as well for and towards Satisfaction and payment of the said Creditors…." Franklin orders the Secretary of Council to issue such a commission and direct it to any three or four of the following: Matthew Clarkson, George Hughes, Peter Baynton, Richard Bache and David Lenox. Boldly signed by Franklin. Tiny paper loss at blank upper right corner and archival repairs to folds, not affecting Franklin's bold signature. Estimated Value $5,000 - 7,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $10,800
Lot 63		Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814) Signer of the Declaration of Independence and member of the Continental Congress; one of three men who refused to sign the U.S. Consntitution without a Bill of Rights; U.S. Congressman, Governor of Massachusetts, and Vice President of the U.S. The term "gerrymandering" was coined from Gerry's name. Excellent content Autograph Manuscript, 2 pp (1 sheet), 9 x 7¼ in., Cambridge, April 4, 1797. Being Gerry's retained copy of a letter he sent to future President James Monroe, who had just been recalled from France; this copy was actually sent to Monroe, as evidenced by Gerry's note at the end. In part: " I am very happy to hear of your arrival at Philadelphia; but Mrs. Gerry & myself should have been much more so, had you taken passage from Boston & spent some time with us….Your recal [sic] has always been, in my mind, enigmatical. I have made enquiry of all my friends, but no one could tell the reason. When Mr. [Pierre] Adet [French minister to the U.S.] was here, I enquired of him; & he supposed, there was a plan to fill all the foreign offices with men disaffected to the french government….I am convinced, that there has been a deep system, at home & abroad, to disgrace republicanism & republican officers, & that the late President [Washington] has unfortunately confided too much in persons of this disposition. If this was the case, I am sure…that our present chief magistrate was not in the secret: the intriguers probably knew him too well, to suppose he would join the nefarious league; & they accordingly laid a plan to prevent his election, as well as Mr. Jeffersons, but have happily for the public, failed…" Gerry dismisses rumors that Monroe's recall had to do with land speculation, and waits to get Monroe's own account so that "I may be able to do justice by your character…I think…the high esteem…expressed by the french directory in their answer to your communication of recal, & the refusal of mr. Pinckney, will flash conviction in the faces of your enemies & defeat their calumnies…." A note in Gerry's hand at the bottom says, "The malpractice of the post office has induced me of late to take copies of my letters, if they touch on politics, & I inclose the above copy to ascertain whether you have recd the original." In the spring of 1794, Monroe accepted the diplomatic position of Minister Plenipotentiary to France. His assignment was to help maintain friendly relations with France, despite efforts to remain on peaceful terms with Great Britain. Monroe was recalled in September 1796 and felt that he had been betrayed by his opponents who used him to appease France while they made great concessions to Britain in Jay's Treaty, signed by the U.S. in 1794. Monroe remained bitter about his recall for the rest of his life. Near fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,350
Lot 64		Harrison, Benjamin (1726-1791) American Revolutionary leader; member of the Continental Congress (1774-1778); Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Governor of Virginia. He was also the father of William Henry Harrison, the 9th U.S. President, and grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd U.S. President. Autograph Letter Signed, "Benj Harrison" and initialed "BH", 1½ pp plus separated address leaf, 9¼ x 7¼ in., Virginia, July 19, 1771. Addressed in Harrison`s hand to "Mr. John Beckhouse, mercht in Liverpool" and sent by ship with Capt Breakhill, ordering goods from England. In part: "Inclosed you have Bills of Lading for eight H[og]h[ea]ds of Tobacco, which I wish safe…my Quantity falling short this year…please to have the goods put into a Trunk as our Linen is much Injured every year by the Dampness of the Ship, and this probably will preserve them…." He pens a list of items wanted, including Irish linen, sheeting, and 28 pair of "Calimanes Pumps" in various sizes, with intitials beside each one, probably referring to his children. He adds a note, "If Mrs. Harrison should have sent the measures by Capt. Breakhill the Pumps must be sent to them" and signs with his initials, "BH."A note on the verso, dated Jan. 31, 1797 and signed by Henry Gardner, states that this paper was exhibited before him and three commissioners, who also signed, probably having to do with the probate of Harrison`s estate. Very good; overall toning and horizontal fold almost split through; some edge chipping and paper loss from seal tear at left margin affects one word of text; the address leaf is split vertically and has paper loss from seal tears and some small areas of varmint damage. Boldly penned and signed. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,880
Lot 65		Rush, Benjamin (1745-1813) Physician, writer, educator, humanitarian; Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Two Books from Benjamin Rush's personal library, both signed "Benj.n Rush's" at head of paste-down. Sermons on Practical Subjects by Robert Walker, Ediburgh, 1783. Vol 3 (of 3) only. 8vo. Contemporary sheep, morocco spine label; rubbed; covers and front end paper detached. Scattered foxing. With Practical Education by Maria Edgeworth. First American Edition. Vol 1 (of 2) only. 9vo. New York: Brown & Stansbury Book Binders & Sellers, 1801. New York printed label on front paste-down. Hinges loose; covers chipped; tears to two front end papers; remainder is intact, with moderate toning. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,920
Lot 66		Rush, Benjamin. Book Signed "Benj.n Rush's" on front paste-down, being his personal copy of A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, in the Higher and Middle Classes, Contrasted with Real Christianity, by William Wilberforce, Philadelphia: John Ormond, 1798. First American edition, 8vo, old sheep, crudely rebacked in the 19th century. Rubbed; front hinge broken. Light to moderate foxing and spotting, moderate foxing to endpapers. Complete with list of subscribers, including Rush's own name. Rush's wife signed on the title page, "Mrs. Julia Rush 1813." She was the daughter of Signer Richard Stockton. William Wilberforce was the British social reformer who was instrumental in getting Parliament to outlaw the slave trade. Reforming manners (morality) was his other passion. Evans 35026. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,175