Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 45

Manuscript, Collectibles and Aerospace Auction

Signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1042		Clark, Abraham & John Hart. ADS ("Abra. Clark") and countersigned by John Hart, both as delegates of the Continental Congress from New Jersey, 1p, 6¼" x 6¼", n.p., 1776 Mar. 2. Addressed "To Either of the Treasurers appointed by Congress," the document certifies that "Samuel Tucker Esq. attended the sitting of Congress in October last twenty six days, the Committee of Safety at Prince Town in January six days and this sitting Thirty five days making in all sixty seven days for which he is to receive twenty pounds two shillings…." Small areas of paper loss at lower edge and one at right margin, none affecting text or signatures; one closed archival repair on verso of upper right corner. Tucker signed in receipt on the verso. Boldly written and signed by two New Jersey signers of the Declaration of Independence just four months before they would place their names on that historic document. Estimated Value $3,000 - 5,000. Sotheby's, March 27, 1985, Lot 252. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $10,638
Lot 1043		Clymer, George (1739-1813) A prosperous merchant and early supporter of American independence, he signed the Declaration of Independence representing Pennsylvania. He became a member of the Philadelphia Committee of Safety in 1773, and was elected to the Continental Congress 1776-1780. He served in the Pennsylvania Legislature, was a Revenue Officer, and a Federal Indian Commissioner. Elected to the first U.S. Congress in 1789, Clymer was co-treasurer of the Continental Congress. In 1791, George Washington appointed Clymer as head of Pennsylvania's excise department. Clymer was also the first president of the Philadelphia Bank and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. ALS ("Geo. Clymer"), 2½pp, 9¾" x 8", Philadelphia, 1790 Sept. 2. To John Shippen, Esquire, enclosing legal documents (not present) regarding a Mr. Crop, who has made claims which cannot be verified. Clymer states that he has no recollection of "any circumstance concerning this 'tho a partner with him at the time of the alledged sale, and knowing besides all his private affairs…." Clymer details his efforts to determine whether there was any validity to Crop's claims and tells Shippen to "act as you please." The second (conjoined) sheet is inlaid and has a couple of small holes from ink erosion; some show-through from verso of the first sheet, else fine. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $575
Lot 1044		Floyd, William (1734-1821) American Revolutionary War leader; signer of the Declaration of Independence from New York. ADS ("W:m Floyd"), as Commissioner of the Loan Fund, 1p, 7¾" x 6¾", New York, 1784 Apr. 10. Floyd authorizes New York treasurer Gerard Bancker to pay Mr. James Post two years interest on two certificates "For Goods purchased in Pursuance of an Act of the Legislature Intitaled an Act for the appointment of Commissioners to procure moneys on Loan & Clothing for the Use of this State passed the 7th March 1781…." Also signed by Commissioner Isaac Roosevelt. James Post signed in receipt of the money from Bancker. Fine. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,185
Lot 1045		Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814) Signer of the Declaration of Independence representing Massachusetts; 5th Vice President of the United States; Governor of Massachusetts. AL with "Gerry" written in the text, 2pp (1p recto/verso), 9" x 7½", Cambridge, 1797 Apr. 4. To "His Excellency [James] Monroe," who had recently been recalled in 1796 from his post as minister to France by President Washington, because Monroe, who was an ardent francophile, personally opposed Jay's Treaty with Great Britain and did not actively support it at the French court. Originally a retained copy, Gerry sent this letter to Monroe on May 22, 1797, with an explanation: "The malpractice of the post office has reduced 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 part: "…Your recal[l] has always been in my mind…no one could tell the reason. When Mr. Adet was here…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 [John Adams] was not in the secret: the intriguers probably knew him too well to suppose he would join the negarious league; & they accordingly laid a plan to prevent his election as well as Mr. Jeffersons, but have happily for the public, failed…." Much more excellent content. Small paper remnants from a previous pasting along one edge of verso, else fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $3,335
Lot 1046		Gerry, Eldridge. ALS ("E Gerry"), 3 pp, 9" x 7¼", Philadelphia, 1791 Jan. 27. To his wife, mentioning goings-on in Philadelphia, the influenza epidemic which kept Signer Benjamin Rush very busy, a judge who dropped dead, several members of the First U.S. Congress who are in trouble for not voting the right way on the excise bill., and an Indian attack. Fine. In part: "Doctor Rush was sent for on one day by 27 patients….The Indians have attacked an outpost at Marcella & killed 14 men and made 3 prisoners, thus we are plunged into an Indian war. We have carried the excise bill in the house & it will probably pass the senate. General Jackson & Mr. Baldwin are left out for not being federal eno' as I am informed & attending too much to state politics….Mrs. Boudinot inquired for you as did Mrs. Adams…." Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. Robert Batchelder, 1988. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $6,038
Lot 1047		Hancock, John (1737-1793) Wealthy Boston merchant who became a Revolutionary War leader. President of the Second Continental Congress and of the Congress of the Confederation, first signer of the Declaration of Independence, first and third Governor of Massachusetts. DS as a selectman of Boston, 1p, 9¾" x 7", Boston, 1774 Jan. 12. Hancock, along with fellow selectmen John Scollay, Timothy Newell, Samuel Austin, and Oliver Wendell, certifies that "…the within Account of Dr. Miles Whitworth amounting to Twenty eight pounds six Shillings is right cost, and the Persons named therein are Strangers and not Inhabitants of any Town in this Province, except one who was in the Service of the Province…." Very good; uneven toning and tape repairs to verso. Hancock's signature is bold. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $3,000
Lot 1048		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. ALS ("Benj Harrison"), 1¼pp (recto/verso) with integral address leaf, 11¾" x 7¼", Richmond, 1787 Jan. 4. To "The Honble Jas Mercer, Esqr./ Fredericksburg," who urgently needs money. In part: "…I will write you immediately that the Woodlens come to hand. I will try to do all that I can for you in the Certificate, but unfortunately for me & you too I am cal[l]ed on at this moment for almost all the money that I owe in the world and do not get a shilling. Francis has the other two Certificates at Petersburg……. Southall …has a note of yours…of very long standing…you will get no money from that Quarter…." More business and personal content. Overall toning; light foxing; minor archival edge repairs on verso of first page; integral leaf is inlaid, with repaired seal tear, else fine. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,898
Lot 1049		Huntington, Samuel (1732-1796) Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Connecticut, seventh President of the Continental Congress, first President of the United States in Congress Assembled, and Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. BS on a front end page, "Sam. Huntington's Book." Signed just below by Robert G. Huntington, Samuel's son. The book is Grammar of the French Tongue by Lewis Chambaud, published in London and printed for C. Bathurst, W. Strahan, J. Rivington and Sons…, 1779, 7½" x 5", 434pp plus ad page. Original leather on calf covers; restored spine with gold title stamp and remarque decorations. Corners slightly bumped with light repairs. The book also includes a long fold-out table of French verb tenses and formations. Internally, the book is very clean with nice dark printing and occasional faint light normal page age toning. Boldly signed. Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $805
Lot 1050		Morris, Robert (1734-1806) Signer of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U. S. Constitution; financier of the Revolution. DS ("Robt. Morris") on the verso, 4" x 6¾", Philadelphia, 1795 Mar. 15. Fine. A promisory note made to Morris for $5,000, due in three years, and signed by John Nicholson, Morris' partner in some disastrous land speculation deals which would land Morris in debtors' prison in 1798. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $336
Lot 1051		Sherman, Roger and Oliver Wolcott Sr. & Jr. ADS as Justice of the Peace, 1p, 7¾" x 7¾", Litchfield, 1755 Aug. 13. Fine. Addressed to the Sheriff of Litchfield County (Oliver Wolcott), regarding "a false and counterfeit Bill made in imitation of a true Bill of Credit of the Colony of Rhode Island of the Denomination of five pounds …emitted in the year 1737," which one David Ensign received from Ephraim Wilcocks. Wolcott, as sheriff, is commanded to take Wilcocks into custody and examine him regarding the bill. On the verso is an ADS "Oliver Wolcott Sherriff" authorizing David Ensign to execute the writ for him. With a 1781 DS ("Oliv: Wolcott Jr.") as a member of the Connecticut Pay Table, ordering Treasurer John Lawrence to pay Capt. Stephen Brainard £4.8. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $834
Lot 1052		Williams, William (1731-1811) American merchant and politician; signer of the Declaration of Independence from Connecticut. ALS ("W. Williams"), 2pp with integral address leaf, 8" x 6½", Hartford, 1782 May 23. A very affectionate letter to his wife, Mary, in Lebanon, whom he addresses as "My dear love" and urges her not to work so hard: "…I can not bear to see my dearest Friend whom I love as My Life murder herself. I shod be completely miserable without you…". He discusses the details of her upcoming visit and other personal business, then adds, "We have no News. The mighty Change of Ministry, I fear, will do us no good…." Fine. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $6,900