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Sale 43
Manuscript and Collectibles Auction
| Early Pennsylvania Masonic Collection |
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| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 457 |
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July 18, 1865 - Letter asking for aid for Miss Clara Barton. ALS, 8" x 5", Carmichaels Greene Co, PA. Newcomb Lodge #279. Letter requesting "aid for Miss Clara Barton to assist her in hunting up missing soldiers". Very Fine.
Estimated Value $200 - 250.
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| Unsold |
Lot 458 |
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June 1782 Philadelphia Lodge #9 Returns. Also listing of members of Lodge #11, 13" x 8". Accompanied by a fragment petition warrent grant for Lodge #9, no date, 9" x 7". The first in good condition with splits, the second in poor condition with paper loss.
Estimated Value $200 - 300.
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| Unsold |
Lot 459 |
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June 24, 1801 - Grand Lodge of Ireland. Large printed document, 18" x 14". Issued on June 24, 1801 by the Grand Treasurer the account of the Grand Lodge of Ireland for six months with all listed members. Fine condition.
Estimated Value $500 - 600.
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| Unsold |
Lot 460 |
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June 3, 1793 Philadelphia, PA - Lodge #59 Application. 2 pages, one side with docketing on verso, 15" x 9½". Being an application for a Lodge in Philadelphia, June 3, 1793. This was granted and became Washington Lodge #59. Fine with some minor splits at folds.
Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,500.
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| Unsold |
Lot 461 |
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June 4, 1804 Letter to "Israel Israel" R. W. Master of Grand Lodge, PA. One page folded letter, addressed and docketed on verso. Letter from Brother Samuel Townsend reflecting his expulsion by Lodge #75, PA. Fine condition.
Estimated Value $150 - 200.
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| Realized
$115 |
Lot 462 |
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June 5, 1797 Philadelphia, PA, Lodge #9 Election Results. Partly-printed Document Signed, one page 8" x 9", Fine condition.
Estimated Value $250 - 300.
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| Unsold |
Lot 463 |
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June 6, 1780 - Bristol, PA - Lodge #25. One page document with docketing on verso, 13" x 8". Being a negative report that Mr. Archibal W. Elroy of Philadelphia is unworthy for membership and should not be admitted. Together with: One page document with docketing on verso, 9" x 7", being a list of subscribers for the Book of Constitution of Lodge #25. Both in Very Good condition with splits at folds. Lot of 2 documents.
Estimated Value $250 - 300.
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| Unsold |
Lot 464 |
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Lot of 2 Masonic Letters -- of Interest as Postal Collectibles. Nova Scotia, 1798 & Pennsylvania, 1809. The Canadian letter, a stampless cover addressed to the Grand Lodge, 23 Branch Street, Philadelphia, PA. Postage noted as 29 cents. Letter Very Fine, but cut at the wax sealing; with indication of ship transit strike. Other letter also addressed to Philadelphia Grand Lodge; from Union Town, PA, with early Union Town printed circle, the date cancel within written in pen. This letter larger. Letter a Choice Very Fine, but cut at the two wax sealings. Lot of 2 documents.
Estimated Value $225 - 325.
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| Unsold |
Lot 465 |
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Lot of 2 Masonic Letters -- of Interest as Postal Collectibles. Lancaster & Wilkesbarre, PA; 1800 and 1808. The two addressed to the Grand Lodge, 23 Branch Street, Philadelphia, PA, with each concerned about the matter of Lodge dues. The Wilkesbarre stamp a dark brown. The color and early date not listed in references. Letter Very Fine, but cut at the wax sealing. The same for Lancaster letter. This with red circular date stamp (which is noted as Rare!!). Lot of 2 documents.
Estimated Value $325 - 375.
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| Unsold |
Lot 466 |
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Lot of 2 Masonic Letters -- of Interest as Postal Collectibles. Quebec (Burlington, Vermont, 1803) & Lancaster, PA, 1822. Both addressed to the Grand Lodge, 23 Branch Street, Philadelphia, PA, with each concerned with differing matters. Lancaster letter Very Fine, but cut at the wax sealing. This with red circular date stamp, the day hand inscribed in brown ink. The Canadian letter from their Grand Master to Pennsylvania Grand Master. Transit stamp oval, in red-brown ink, and marked "Burlington, Vermont, 9 [?]et." Letter also Very Fine, but cut at the wax sealing. Letter noted as Rare. Lot of 2 documents.
Estimated Value $300 - 400.
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| Unsold |
Lot 467 |
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Lot of 4 early Printed Masonic Documents. Consists of: Dec. 27, 1798 2 sided printed document Halifax, Nova Scotia to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania regarding officer appointments. Laid paper with LS wmk.; March 25, 1801 one page, School for Female Orphan Children of Free and Accepted Masons, printed report. Dec. 27, 1804 one page, docketing and addressed on integral leaf, Canada Halifax, Nova Scotia printed list of membership's officers; Dec. 27, 1810 Halifax, Nova Scotia, one page, two sides, being printed officer's election to the R.W. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Sizes range from 12" x 8" to 14" x 9". Fine to Very Fine condition. Lot of 4 documents.
Estimated Value $500 - 600.
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| Unsold |
Lot 468 |
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Masonic Business: Rescission of Expulsion of Brother Andrew Baum, of Lodge no. 72. Philadelphia Grand Lodge, 1798. The resolution to reinstate Mr. Baum, with all "privileges" due him was signed by a number of individuals, including one Thomas Bradford, who was a Brigadier General in the American forces during the Revolutionary War, and who oversaw British prisoners of war. Another signature of note is that of Israel Israel. He was the second wealthiest man in America, and one of the financiers of the then burgeoning U.S. Navy. The letter, opened out: 12-1/2" x 16". Some splitting along creases, otherwise Very Fine. Handsome penmanship, typical of the period.
Estimated Value $700 - 950.
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| Unsold |
Lot 469 |
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Masonic Correspondence from Canada, addressed to the Grand Lodge of Philadelphia. May of 1798. Addressed to Mr. George Baker, his Canadian fraternal brothers in Montreal, Quebec, acknowledge: "… We are happy to find that Masonry is spreading its benign influence through the United States of America: That the fraternity are very numerous…"
This missive was a very expensive 32 cents back then; and is marked with early red-color New York transit stamp. Letter: 18-1/2" x 14". With creases, as expected, and oval lacuna at edge where sealing was torn away at the opening of the letter.
Estimated Value $350 - 500.
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| Unsold |
Lot 470 |
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Masonic Correspondence Referring to, and Signed by, the Future American President, James Buchanan. Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1822-1824. Lot of five lengthy penned documents, plus a printed two-leaf letter, mostly dealing with the frictions between Buchanan's Lodge 43, in Lancaster, and the often "despotic" Grand Lodge of Philadelphia.
One letter, dated Dec. 9, 1822, names James Buchanan and two others to represent their lodge in matters before the Grand Lodge. Another letter, by the "Committee of Lodge No. 43", dated June 18, 1824, is personally signed by Buchanan. This, one of two sheets (one now missing). The signature is bold and clear, although much of the ink in that missive is somewhat faded. Sheets generally 12-3/3" x 8", and smaller.
James Buchanan (April 23, 1791-June 1, 1868) was the fifteenth President of the United States (1857-1861), and has consistently been ranked among the worst of U.S. Presidents. He was also an active Freemason during his lifetime. He was master of Masonic Lodge no. 43 in Lancaster, and a District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Estimated Value $950 - 1,500.
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| Unsold |
Lot 471 |
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Masonic Letter Mentioning the Travails of a Fellow Brother During the Civil War and General Grant. Brownsville Lodge, December 1863. Lengthy note written by William Adams detailing the misfortunes of one Brother, John Frost, who went south to Mississippi to visit relations, and got trapped there by the outbreak of the Great Rebellion. He was unable to communicate with his family or Lodge during that time, and his status as to dead or living was unknown. After the fall of Vicksburg he was incarcerated as a war prisoner, although he was not a member of the Southern Army. Eventually he was released by General Grant and made his way back home. The point of this letter then brings up a recurrent theme in these early Masonic documents: that poor Mr. Frost was denied admittance to his Lodge until his membership dues were brought up to date!
Letter on lined single sheet, 12" x 7-3/4", and well preserved.
Estimated Value $150 - 200.
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| Unsold |
Lot 472 |
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May 18, 1798 ALS from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Pennsylvania Masonic Lodge. Two pages with integral address leaf, 9½" x 8". Containing a list of the officers of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia and other Masonic busisness. Very Fine.
Estimated Value $200 - 300.
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| Unsold |
Lot 473 |
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May 19, 1801 Wilksbarre, PA letter to fellow Brother. 1¼ pages with integral address leaf, 12½" x 8". Folded autograph letter signed discussing warrant dues to the Grand Council of Pennsylvania, "Paid 25" on address leaf. Fine.
Estimated Value $250 - 300.
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| Unsold |
Lot 474 |
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May 20, 1802 Signed Check "Israel Israel". 2½" x 5½" document signed by the 2nd wealthiest man in America. Israel Israel helped finance the U.S. Navy. Fine condition.
Estimated Value $200 - 300.
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| Realized
$115 |
Lot 475 |
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Petition for a Warrant "to Hold a Lodge in the Army." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 1814. Rare. The petition before the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania notes that a number of its members are now enrolled in the U.S. Army, and wish to establish a lodge within the ranks, so "… that the benefits of Masonry should be diffused as completely as possible among the members of the Detachment…" The petition was granted as "Warrant No. 140." Large paper sheet folded in half to size: 13-1/2" x 8-1/4." But for one small hole, well preserved, with intense ink. Along with this, two smaller fragments, inscribed, broken along deeply creased folds. Lot of 3 pieces.
Estimated Value $600 - 750.
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| Unsold |
Lot 476 |
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Petition to Philadelphia Grand Lodge to Form a New Masonic Lodge in the Philadelphia Area. November 1817. A number of members from the Rising Sun Lodge, no. 139, beg to withdraw from that lodge and start up a new one in the Philadelphia area which is to be named the Meridian Sun Lodge. Sheet: 13" x 8-1/2"; a little fragile at some of the creases, with light curling to the paper's edges. With impressive sealing of the Rising Sun Lodge.
Estimated Value $150 - 200.
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| Unsold |
Lot 477 |
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Scandal & Consternation! Masonic Proceedings Against Brother Samuel Townsend, of Lodge 75, for Theft. Pughtown and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1803-1805. Fascinating Masonic correspondence not often seen in the annals of the Brotherhood. A lot comprised of three hand-penned letters involving Samuel Townsend of Lodge 75, Pennsylvania, accused of theft. Included are a petition by Mr. Townsend himself, with added details and signatures by those supporting his case. Also a lengthy letter, signed by one Hugh Strickland demanding the impeachment and expulsion of Townsend. Lastly a letter from Lodge 75, with large impressed paper seal, addressed to the Grand Lodge in Philadelphia noting their expulsion of Mr. Townsend.
Some minor chipping at letters' edges, but paper overall sound. Largest sheet: 13" x 8". Lot of 3 documents.
Estimated Value $400 - 500.
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| Unsold |
Lot 478 |
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Signed Receipt for Dues, Signed by Revolutionary War Veteran, Thomas Bradford. Philadelphia, PA; 1811. Receipt for $37.25 on behalf of Philadelphia's Grand Lodge, accepting dues from Lodge no. 19. Clear, bold signature of Bradford. Document: 2-5/8" x 7-3/4". Modest split and slight chipping along right edge.
Thomas Bradford was a Brigadier General in the American forces during the Revolutionary War. He oversaw British prisoners of war.
Estimated Value $200 - 250.
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| Unsold |
Lot 479 |
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Two documents each requesting a new Masonic Lodge. Consists of: Dec. 6, 1802 to the Grand Lodge of PA, being an application for a warrant to open a Masonic Lodge at Newcastle, DE. Contains numerous signatures; Feb. 20, 1818, Petition for a Lodge at Danville Colombia County, PA Very Good to Fine condition.
Estimated Value $250 - 300.
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| Unsold |
Lot 480 |
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Two Masonic Letters and a Masonic Receipt. Consists of: Dec. 2, 1796 folded letter from Halifax, Nova Scotia Grand Lodge to Grand Lodge of Philadelphia discussing Masonic visitors from Canada to U.S.; Oct. 30, 1800 Transit folded letter envelop to Grand Lodge of PA from Halifax, Nova Scotia with large red was Masonic seal on verso; July 5, 1797 being a Masonic receipt to Capt. Andrew Nelson $10.00 dues Lodge #50 held at White Horse Chester Co, PA signed by John Melene. Lot of 3 documents.
Estimated Value $250 - 300.
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| Unsold |
Lot 481 |
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Two Masonic Letters of Discontent. Consists of: May 16, 1806 ALS one page, 12" x 7½", R. W. Grand Lodge of PA, being Samuel Townsand's complaint against his dismissal; Sept. 7, 1812 ALS 2½ pages, Appeal of John H. Chaplin's expulsion from the R. W. Grand Lodge of PA., singed by Thomas Brandord. Both in Very Fine condition. Lot of 2 documents.
Estimated Value $300 - 400.
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| Unsold |
Lot 482 |
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War of 1812 - Request for Warrant. One page, 6" x 7½", DS. Being a request for Warrant in the Continental Army, Washington Guards. Warrent granted. Fine and rare.
Estimated Value $400 - 500.
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| Unsold |
Lot 483 |
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Washington Cover - Lodge Book #121. 12" x 7½". Dues Book of Philadelphia Masonic Lodge #121 Union Lodge ledger showing memberships with names from 1810-1853. Most unusual. Very Good.
Estimated Value $400 - 500.
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| Unsold |
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