Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 61

Manuscript, Collectibles and Aerospace Auction

Colonial Americana

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 458		1776 Philadelphia Land Indenture. One page folio, vellum, July 1, 1776. A nicely-penned indenture between Sarah Lownes and her son Joseph Lownes, most likely of the family of silversmiths, witnessed by Robert Duncan and Joseph Potts and affirmed by Tory publisher and Justice of the Peace James Humphreys. Typical folds, occasional light toning, two wax seals and paper seal of recorder. Very good and an attractive July 1776 item for display. Estimated Value $150 - 250. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $88
Lot 459		Colonial Williamsburg (Virginia). Original drawing, graphite and charcoal, of the capitol building in Williamsburg, as it looked in the early 18th century. Unsigned but by Paul W. Arnt; identified as the artist from a drawing used by American Prints, Inc. as the basis for a print in 1942 to commemorate the 1934 reconstruction of the original capitol building. 19 x 25 in.; matted to 22½ x 28 in. Condition is near excellent. Williamsburg was the capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699 to 1776 and of the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1776 to 1780. Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $118
Lot 460		[Columbus, Christopher]. Engraving with aquatint, "Christophe Colomb" by Didal after Chaalle depicting Columbus returning to Spain in chains, surrounded by admirers, after his third voyage to the New World. c. 1790; 24¼ x 19 in.; matted to 28½ x 26 in. Paper is watermarked 1788 and the engraving style and subject matter is typical of French historical prints at the close of the 18th century. Creases in lower portion, half inch tear in border. A moving depiction of this mysterious and controversial figure. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $235
Lot 461		Denial of Religious Freedom to Quakers. The Principal Acts of the General Assembly, of the Church of Scotland; Convened At Edinburgh, December 17th, 1695. Printed by George Mosman, printer to the church, Edinburgh, 1696. 32 pages,11 x 6½ in. 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 grouth 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. A scarce imprint. Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 462		[Early Fairfax Family Broadside, 1793]. Small broadside offering reward signed in print by Ferdinando Fairfax, Winchester, 8x 6 inches, printed by Richard Brown, 1793. The Fairfax family was the largest land-owning family in Virginia. In part: "TEN DOLLARS. The above reward will be given to any one who, within thirty days from this time, shall give certain information of the person or persons who lately set fire to that part of the Blue Ridge which was the property of the late George William Fairfax…Shannon-Hall, Berkley County…." Lightly tanned, near fine. The broadside warns Fairfax's resentful tenants on the Virginia frontier against cutting and selling Fairfax timber. Tenants have a "duty" and "interest to assist in detecting those unprincipled men, who, regardless of every moral and sacred obligation, are continually wasting and destroying the timber, either by burning or cutting." Otherwise, they can not "expect favours at a future day." The Fairfax overseer, "Mr. Battaile Muse is directed to make strict enquiry, and to use every means of bringing to justice every offender." Muse signs in manuscript at the bottom, with a note that, "Those indebted to Mr. Fairfax for rent are Directed to Pay by the 10th of June." George William Fairfax, a longtime friend of George Washington, was Ferdinando�s uncle; and George and Martha Washington were Ferdinando's godparents. George was one of the boy's guardians. Ferdinando inherited his uncle's estates at age thirteen. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $881
Lot 463		Mompesson, Roger - 1706 Jurist Oath. Roger Mompesson (died 1715) was one of the most eminent jurists in early 18th century colonial America. He served as chief justice in Pennsylvania, New York, and was the first chief justice of New Jersey, serving on the provincial councils of all three colonies. Colonial manuscript qualification oath of jurist signed four times by Mompesson, 2½ pages with integral leaf, 12 x 7½ in., docketed "mo/2 [April] 1706 Philadelphia, April 2, 1706. Being a judge�s qualification oath which appears to be the one used at the Provincial council meeting of April 17, 1706, when he was confirmed as chief justice. Typical of such oaths in both England and America, it swears allegiance to Queen Anne; rejects the doctrine that subjects may depose Princes who have been excommunicated by the Pope, or that any foreign powers have any jurisdiction in England or her dominions; contains a rejection of the core beliefs of Roman Catholicism; and swears to undertake to administer justice equally to rich and poor. Mompesson has signed below each of the four assertions. One of the paragraphs that has been "deleted" interestingly states: "And We do Solemnly Promise and Swear that We will be Faithful to the Right Honorable William Penn Esq. And his heirs Proprietors of Pennsylvania and Counties of Newcastle Kent and Sussex on Delaware." It is known that the Quaker Assembly persisted in refusing to grant Mompesson a salary, complaining that he was "too well affected to Penn," and also "that he drank too much," though Penn deemed him "well grounded in the law and an honest and sober gentleman." Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 464		[Franklin, Benjamin]. Experiences et observations sur l'electricité faites à Philadelphie en Amérique par M. Benjamin Franklin; & communiquées dans plusieurs lettres à M.P. Collinson de la Société Royale de Londres. Paris, Durand, 1752. Rare first French edition. Hardcover, 8vo. Contemporary binding, French marbled paper, showing considerable wear; spine well-worn with pieces of paper cover missing. Collates complete except for Qviii, probably a blank. Title page about 1/8" short. Light foxing. Sabine, 25505 (for the original English edition published in 1751). After a bad translation of Franklin's book came into the possession of the great French naturalist Buffon, he ordered Thomas-François d'Alibard to make a better translation. It became the reference book for those interested in electricity. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold