Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 68

The June 30th Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

Colonial Americana

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 80		1784 Needlework Sampler. Hand-made sampler with the text: "Virtue sincere needs no defence / No Arms but its own innocence / Quivers and boms and poison darts / Are only use by Guilty hearts. Hannah Webb her work." At top is the alphabet in capital and lower case letters, excepting the letters "J" and "U"; the year "l784" follows the upper case letters. The decorative border and lower portion of sampler have a floral motif. Young Hannah (we assume this was a young girl practicing her needlework) used brown, green, yellow, and blue against the light tan background. There are a few small holes and pulls in the fabric but a lovely, charming piece. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $892
Lot 81		(1792 New York Broadside Regarding An Election Dispute). One page, 15 x 11 in (Albany) Nov. 6, 1792. "Extracts From the Journal of the Senate of the state of New-York, relative to the claim of John Livingston, Esq. to a seat in the Senate as a member thereof from the Eastern District…." In small part: "Mr. Jones, one of the members of the joint committee appointed to canvass and estimate the votes taken at the last election in this state for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Senators, produced a protest against the determination of the major part of the said joint committee; signed Samuel Jones, Isaac Roosevelt and Leonard Gansevoort." The broadside reporduces the various motions and negotiations over Livingston's disputed seat, finally resolving, "…the proceedings of the bar of the committee, and now attending, 'it is improper, absurd and derogatory to the privileges of the senate, and destructive to the sacred right of suffrage, to which the people of this state, are constitutionally entitled, to decide that the said John Livingston ought to take his seat as a member of the senate until a full and fair investi[gation] saide committee and of this senate involve questions of the highest importance to the right of suffrage; to the end therefore, that the good people of this state may be fully informed of the conduct of their servants in this senate…." The Livingstons were one of the most prominent families in both colonial and post-revolutionary New York. Some marginal tears, trimmed at top margin, else very good. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 82		1793 U.S. Loan Office Bond. Partly-printed Document Signed by William Imlay as Commissioner, 7½ x 8½ in. (blank area extends another 7½ in.), Connecticut, April 23, 1793. Issued in the amount of $439 to Guy Richards, who was the treasurer of New London. Printed by Francis Bailey. Ram's head above eagle. Cut cancelled. The "Imlay" bonds were issued to cover state debt in excess of the authorized $1.6 million assigned by the U.S. Government, and they were acknowledged by the State to be valid certificates of the state debt. Only 150 were isued, and many of the survivors are in poor condition. This one has a couple of tiny edge splits in top margin; otherwise, very fine. Estimated Value $900 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 83		[Female Pirates] Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Broadsheet newspaper of The Post Boy, London, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 1721, 2pp, 14¼ x 8¼ in. Red tax stamp on verso. Bearing news on the trial of the infamous woman pirates Mary Read and Anne Bonny, and the execution of other pirates. Reports include "…an account from Jamaica…of the Execution at Kingston and Port Royal of nine more Pyrates; also of the Trial and Condemnation of eleven others, two of which were Women, named Mary Read and Sarah Bonny; the Evidence against whom deposed, that they were both in Mens Habit, and fought desperately, and that they narrowly escap'd being murder'd by them…." Also news of a Capt. Marston who had been "taken by a Pyrate…reckon'd to be the Crew of the Brigantine that belong'd to [Bartholemew] Roberts the Pyrate…." Bonny and Read escaped the hangman, only because both of them were pregnant! Mary died in prison of a fever and Anne was eventually ransomed from the British by her father. She then disappeared from history. Captain Roberts was killed by grapeshot cannon fire, which struck him in the throat during a British attack. Newspaper reports on Read and Bonny are virtually unheard of. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $930
Lot 84		[Franklin, Benjamin] David Hall. Two original documents signed by Franklin's partner David Hall (1714-1772), one being two pages, 14½ x 9 inches, February 3, 1766, the other one page, folio, January 1, 1771. These two 18th century printing contracts establish Hall & Sellers, which succeeded the printing business of Benjamin Franklin and David Hall. Some slight ink erosion and chipping affecting a few words; professionally strengthened at some folds. In 1743 Benjamin Franklin hired David Hall, who had worked for Franklin's friend, William Strahan, in London, to assist him in his printing house. In a letter to Strahan a year later, Franklin remarked, "…Mr. Hall…gains ground daily in the esteem of all that know him…He is obliging, discreet, industrious, and honest." Franklin took Hall into partnership in 1748 and the enterprise became Franklin & Hall; on February 1, 1766 Franklin sold his interest in the most important printing business in the colonies to David Hall. William Sellers had been Hall's journeyman in the printing house. Upon his purchase of this lucrative printing business from his mentor Benjamin Franklin, Hall immediately took Sellers in as a partner, creating the new firm of Hall & Sellers, the most significant printing establishment in the colonies. In addition to printing all the paper money for the colony of Pennsylvania, Hall & Sellers continued the contract with the state that Franklin had negotiated which included all pamphlets, and official documents. The two documents offered here are the original partnership contracts between David Hall and William Sellers; the first, the original dated February 3, 1766 (two days after Hall purchased the printing house from Benjamin Franklin) and the second dated January 1, 1771, extending the partnership with Sellers for another five years. The first reads in part, "…Articles of Agreement indented and made the Third day of February in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-six between David Hall of the City of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania, Printer, of the one Part, and William Sellers, of the same Place, Printer, of the other Part. Whereas the said David Hall and William Sellers have determined to enter into a Copartnership, for the carrying on of the Business of Printing in the City of Philadelphia aforesaid; it is therefore covenanted, granted, and agreed by and between the said Parties to these Present, and thye said David Hall and William Sellers do each of them covenant, and mutually agree, each with the other of them in Manner following…that they, the said David Hall and William Sellers, shall be partners in carrying on the Trade and Business of Printing in Philadelphia…for and during the Term of Five Years….That all charges of Types, Paper, Ink, Balls, Tympans, Wool, Oil, and other Things necessary to Printing; together with the charge of all common and necessary Repairs of the Press, and its Appurtenances; and also the charge of Rent…shall be divided into two equal Parts…That all Money received, or to be received, for Printing, or for anything done, or to be done, relating to the Business of Printing aforesaid, by the said David Hall, and William Sellers, either as Gratuity, Premium, Reward, or Salary from the Government or from others, shall be divided into two equal parts…." A unique pair of contracts documenting the partnership of David Hall and William Sellers who printed all of the currency, papers, and official documents in colonial Pennsylvania as well as continuing Poor Richard's Almanac, started by Franklin in 1732. Estimated Value $7,500 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $9,000
Lot 85		*[The Hamilton-Burr Duel] The Connecticut Courant, July 25, 1804.* 4 pp, all black bordered, 19½ x 12½ in. Nearly the entire newspaper is taken up with the duel. Of most interest and most informative, is the twelve letter exchange between Aaron Burr, sitting Vice President, and Alexander Hamilton, first Secretary of the Treasury and a Founding Father, and their seconds in the days that preceded the duel. Also printed is Hamilton's Last Will, dated July 8, 1804, only three days before the duel. On the last page, "Funeral Obsequies" runs 2 2/3 columns with a woodblock of the casket. In a paper accompanying his will, to be read only in the event of his death, Hamilton had written that he was opposed to dueling, which was illegal, but felt that it was "imposed" on him. He also said, "I am conscious of no ill will to Col. Burr, distinct from political opposition…." Burr was indicted for murder in New York and New Jersey and although not convicted, his political career was ruined. Ironically, Hamilton's son, Philip, had been killed in a duel three years earlier at the same site along the Hudson River in Weehawken, New Jersey, where his father received his mortal wound. A moving account of the senseless death of a great man. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $570
Lot 86		Jay, John (1745 - 1829) American patriot; first Chief Justice of the United States. Autograph document signed, with his name written twice more in the body of the document, one page, 4½ x 7½ inches, Bedford, 31 Aug. 31, 1792. Also signed by Samuel Lyon. A settlement of accounts between Jay and Lyon delineating monies owed to Jay by Lyon and the method of payment for the balance due. Lyon served as a major of Westchester County Minutemen during the Revolution. The laid, watermarked paper is evenly toned. Boldly penned and signed by Jay. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,440
Lot 87		[Northwest Indian War]. Autograph Document Signed by Capt. A[bner] Prior, one page, 3 x 6¼ in., [Fort Knox?], Jan. 29, 1794. To. Maj. V[an] D[er] Burgh: "Sir: Furnish thirty pound of Tobacco to be forwarded to the Indians at the Vermillion & Wea Town." Right and bottom edges are uneven, affecting nothing. This document was written while the U.S. was wrestling with the Indians for control of the Northwest Territory, which ended with the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. Abner Prior had been a surgeon's mate during the Revolution; he later served at Fort Knox as Assistant Quartermaster and was involved with gathering intelligence regarding Indian activities for Gen. St. Clair. Henry van der Burgh served in the Revolution and was an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati. He was important in the history of Vincennes. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $240
Lot 88		The Pennsylvania Gazette, Printed by Benjamin Franklin. Philadelphia, November 6, 1755. Includes a page 3 ad for "Poor Richard's Almanack for 1756." Page 2 has an announcement about "a general Congress of all the English Governors on the North Continent of America…." which was most likely a continuation of the Albany Congress of June 1754 which was attended by Franklin. Reports from Boston, New Haven, New York, Albany and Philadelphia provide much on activities and the hardships of the French and Indian War including "…five French soldiers came to the English Camp, at Lake George, and surrendered themselves prisoners. On their Examination, they said they had deserted from the French Forces at Ticonderoga, or the Streights, for Want of Provisions, having not had for some time past, above Half a Bisket a Day. They aded farther, that the French had not above 500 men at that Place, in erecting a Blockade, and not one Piece of Cannnon, there." A lengthy report from Albany describes four conditions that led to suspension of movements of Major General William Johnson's Provincial Troops. More war reporting includes two accounts of scalpings and letters of generosity of the townspeople for providing for the army at Long Island. Light toning; chipping in lower right corner, else very good. Estimated Value $700 - 900. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 89		The Principal Acts of the General Assembly, of the Church of Scotland…. Conveened at Edinburgh, December 17th, 1695." Rare imprint, printed by George Mosman, printer to the Church, Edinburgh, 1696. 32 pages, 11 x 6½ in., partially disbound. A collection of the acts passed by the Church of Scotland meeting in assembly. the most notable is the tenth act: "Act anent Quakers," in part "The General Assembly of this National Church for prevention of the growth of these abominable Heresies of the Quakers, do recommend…to use all proper means for Reclaiming them, and in the case of their Obstinancy to proceed against them with the Censures of the church, and specially against the Ring-Leaders, that are Traffiquers for seduceing of others." Very good condition. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $120
Lot 90		Rhode Island Militia Appointment, 1807. Partly-printed Document Signed "J. Fenner" (1771-1846) as Governor of Rhode Island, one page, 7½ x 12½, May 11, 1807. Countersigned by Samuel Cady as Secretary. Appointing Jonathan Paine Ensign in the Company of Light Infantry of the town of Glocester, with the Rank of Captain. Paper seal is intact at upper left. Overall toning and a couple of tiny fold tears. Not examined out of the period frame. Estimated Value $100 - 150. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $49
Lot 91		Van Dam, Rip (c. 1660-1749) New York merchant and politician. He was elected to the provincial Assembly in 1699, appointed to the governor's Council of advisors in 1702, and served on the Council for more than 30 years, often representing the governor by making an annual trip to Albany to renew the alliance with the Iroquois. He was acting governor of the province until the arrival of governor William Cosby in 1731 and presided over the Zenger trial in 1735. Autograph Document Signed, 3 x 7¾ in., n.p., n.d. To Mr. Mayer Hanson, in part: "This is the opinion of my Layer. To send this to Capt Holl.d of Albany to procure me this. Two powers of attorney being of the same Tennor but this is To be Sent To Eng.d by 2 vessels. I doubt not of Clapt. Holl.d signing the same and that it may be done forthwith with privacy in case it should be neglected in England by the Govern. agent…This power may be of servis To me To Sue the first agent Dromand in England…." Toned and some repairs to verso. Boldly penned and signed. Estimated Value $400 - 600. Ex Superior Galleries, 1996. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold