Lot 27
Washington, George - Rare Appointment Signed First Year As President. Manuscript document signed ("Go. Washington"), as President, vellum, 1 page, 11 ½ x 11", New York, New York, September 26, 1789. An early presidential appointment, whereby Pierpont Edwards (1750-1826) is appointed to the office of Attorney of the United States for the Connecticut District. The seal of the United States is affixed at the upper left and remains fully intact. Folded once vertically and twice horizontally, but otherwise remarkable for its clean appearance. The signature is large and clear. Handsomely framed in gilt wood, museum grade UV plexiglass with a color portrait of Washington and a biographical plaque against deep red velvet, for an overall size of 29 x 42". Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from H.W. "Skip" Hensel, manuscript appraiser and presidential historian.
Documents signed by Washington when the U.S. capital was in New York City are exceedingly rare. This example was signed just five months after Washington took office on April 30th, 1789. Interestingly, three cabinet members were also appointed the same day Pierpoint Edwards received his appointment: Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Attorney General Edmund Randolph, and Postmaster General Samuel Osgood. Apparently, this was a busy day for the first President!
Pierpont Edwards served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and was a delegate to the American Continental Congress, as well as a member of the Connecticut Convention, held in January 1788, which ratified the Constitution of the United States. In 1806 Edwards was nominated by President Thomas Jefferson to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. He served for twenty years, until his death. Pierpont Edwards was the founder of the Toleration Party in Connecticut. $20,000 - 30,000
|
| |
| Realized $15,000 |
