Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 52

Manuscript, Collectibles and Aerospace Auction

Revolutionary War

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 233		Declaration of Independence - Peter Force Rice Paper Copy. In 1823, William J. Stone was commissioned by Congress to create a copperplate from which facsimile copies of the Declaration could be made. He did this by wetting the original document and transferring some of the original ink to the copperplate. From this plate, Stone printed 201 copies on parchment, which were given to President James Monroe, original Signers, members of Congress, colleges and institutions, etc. Stone's personal copy is in the Smithsonian. Only 31 of Stone's original 201 copies are known to exist; nineteen of these reside in museums and examples are rarely offered for sale. In 1843, Congress authorized Peter Force to make up to 1500 rice-paper copies of the Declaration from the original Stone copperplate, to be included in his American Archives, which Force projected to be a 20-volume series of primary sources of American history from the 17th century to 1789. The work was begun under contract with the Department of State and by Act of Congress but Force stopped work on the project when further funding was not forthcoming. Subscriptions were fewer than expected, and the actual number of copies printed is unknown, ranging from 500 to around 1,000. It is not known how many of these copies have survived. This rice paper copy, from Peter Force's American Archives, measures 31 x 25½ inches. Since Peter Force used Stone's copperplate, "W.J. Stone S.C. WASHN" is engraved below the first row of names. This copy of the Declaration is toned all over and has some edge tears which are presently being treated by a conservator from the Huntington Library (paid for by the consignor); the treatment will be finished by May 11. These Declarations are extremely desirable. The last several copies to come on the market have sold for over $30,000. Estimated Value $20,000 - 30,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $20,700
Lot 234		Early Pennsylvania Laws - Includes Declaration of Independence. One volume containing laws passed between September 30, 1775 and September 29, 1781. The first section includes the Declaration of Independence, the Pennsylvania State Constitution and the Articles of Confederation of the United States of America. Includes many early Revolutionary War period laws regarding acts of treason, oaths of allegiance, punishments for counterfeiters, and the borrowing of five million Continental Dollars. There is also an act for the creation of the American Philosophical Society (Benjamin Franklin was its first president), as well as a tax act on the "importation of Negros and Mulattos after July 4th 1776." Original leather board covers measuring 12¼ x 8¼". Printed and sold by Francis Bailey, Market Street, Philadelphia, 1782. Original covers and spine are worn and bumped; a 2½ x 1½" area on front cover is dark and missing leather. Interior is basically bright and clean, with some light toning and foxing and a few marginal stains. A wonderful Revolutionary War record of Pennsylvania. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $575
Lot 235		Boston Port Bill, First Edition, 1774. "Anno Regni Georgii III Regis…Decimo Quarto…" London: Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan. Folio, later boards (loosening at spine), pages 513-522. "An Act to discontinue…the landing and discharging, lading or shipping, of Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, at the Town, and within the harbour, of Boston, in the Province of Massachuset's Bay, in North America." The Act refers to "dangerous Commotions and Insurrections…fomented and raised in the Town of Boston," one of them being the Boston Tea Part (which had taken place on Dec. 16, 1773), in which "certain valuable Cargoes of Teas, being the Property of the East India Company, and on Board certain Vessels lying within the Bay or harbour of Boston, were seized and destroyed…." This Act closing the port of Boston was the first of four important Acts (Intolerable Acts) passed by the British Parliament in 1774 for the discipline of the colonies. No ships were to be allowed to enter or clear the port of Boston until the East India Company was remunerated for its losses and the Crown received the taxes due on the tea. On May 13, General Gage landed in Boston with his troops to enforce the law. Rather than isolating Boston and forcing it to submit, the closure of the port had the effect of uniting the colonies. They sent clothing and supplies to Boston and pledged to boycott British goods. The first Continental Congress was called for September 1774 to decide on a course of action and the road to revolution was set. Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000. Purchased at Goodspeeds, 1972. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 236		Gov. Cooke Convenes R. I. Assembly to Consider Union & Confederation (1717-1782) Governor of the colony of Rhode Island from November 1775 and subsequently first Governor of the state until 1778. On May 4, 1776, Rhode Island rescinded its oath of allegiance to King George,essentially declaring its independence two months before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Manuscript document signed ("Nichs Cooke Govr"). 1 page, 9 x 7½" (Providence), Dec. 14, 1777. An important document, calling the Rhode Island Assembly into session to consider the plan of Union and Confederation of the United States: In part: "Whereas the Most Honorable the Continental Congress have transmitted to me a Plan of Union and Confederation of the United States, together with several Resolves for the better Supply of the Army, preventing the Depreciation of the currency and lessening the high Prices of the Necessaries of Life…I have therefore thought fit, by the Advice of the Council of War, to call the General Assembly together to meet at the State House in Providence…." Listed on the verso are the names of the members of the Assembly who were called to appear. Some show-through from verso, else very good. Estimated Value $800 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $834
Lot 237		1774 Sermon Denouncing the Intolerable Acts, Including the Boston Port Act. "Being the Day Recommended by the Provincial Congress, To Be Observed in Thanksgiving to God for the Blessings Enjoyed; and humiliation on account of public Calamities." Boston: Printed by D. Kneeland; and Sold by Samuel Webb, in Queen-Street. 8vo, 1st edition, 39 pp. Half moroco, scuffed at edges, two front flyleaves loose, tear in half-title page repaired. Overall toning. A very good copy. Evans 1337. A scarce Revolutionary sermon preached by Lathrop (1739 - 1816) during the occupation of Boston by the British, denouncing the Intolerable Acts, including the Boston Port Bill. Estimated Value $500 - 750. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $403
Lot 238		[Morris, Robert] Tobacco Shipment From America to France, 1785. A 1785 folded letter from "Le Normand," the receiver-general of finances of France, in French, to Tench Tilghman & Co. in Baltimore, one page on laid, watermarked paper, plus integral address leaf, 9 x 7¼", Paris, February 12, 1785. Acknowledging receipt of a shipment of tobacco from Virginia and Maryland "on the ship 'Arethuse' Captain Dennis Butler, in the amount of £25,288.54 which you have put into the account of Robert Morris, with whom I am in business….This ship arrived safely at Le Havre and the only thing that remains is the regret that the 30 'bundles' of the York River did not reach you in time to complete the cargo…." Fine. Postal markings show that the letter was sent by ship from the French seaport L'Orient (PAQ. L'ORIENT) and there is an orange stamp (PAYE PAR?) with 31 cent manuscript rate and €1.10 transatlantic rate; two seal tears affect one number. In 1785, Robert Morris secured a contract giving his firm a monoply on the American tobacco trade with France. Tench Tilghman was a former aide to George Washington. An early record of early commerce in the American tobacco trade. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $230
Lot 239		John Peter Gabriel Muhlenber DS As VP of Pennsylvlania - 1788 (1746-1807) Revolutionary War general; U.S. representative and senator. Document signed ("Muhlenberg") as Vice President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, 13½ x 15¾, vellum (Philadelphia), March 18, 1788. Being a land grant to Simon Coppenhaver in the Heidleberg Township in Dauphin County. Attested by Charles Biddle, Vice-President of Pennsylvania from 1785 to 1787, and father of Nicholas Biddle. A very attractive document; large paper seal at upper left has a couple of small tears, else fine. Muhlenberg was a general in the American "German Regiment" which cut off the retreat of the British at the Battle of Germantown. His troops wintered at Valley Forge and he commanded a brigade at Yorktown. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $230
Lot 240		Return of Errors in the Accounts of the State Troops & Militia of Connecticut, 1779-80. Manuscript document, 2pp (recto/verso), 12 x 7½", on laid, watermarked paper. A lengthy war-dated list of errors in the accounting of the Connecticut Militia, along with their actual correct pay, due to the difference between United States and state specie. Penned and signed by Joseph Howell Junior. Fine. Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $144
Lot 241		[Rhode Island]. "At the General Assembly of the Governor and Company of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations…." Attleborough: Printed by Solomon Southwick, 1777, 12½ x 8", 16 pp (recto/verso). Upper left corner is chewed, including part of the original paper, edge chips, and overall light toning. Being the minutes of a meeting to discuss state business, attended by Governor Nicholas Cooke, Deputy-Governor William Bradford and other prominent Rhode Islanders. Some of the business has to do with the Revolutionary War, such as the committee established to "inquire into the Grounds and Reasons of the Miscarriage of the late Expedition against the Enemy on Rhode-Island" or a memo of "sundry Articles of Clothing wanted for the Soldiers in Col. Greene's and Col. Angell's Battalions." Period notes penned at the top include "persons having money in their hands for salt," and "Town Council to appoint persons To Take Care of Soldiers familes." Reference: Evans 15570. Estimated Value $800 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $460
Lot 242		[St. Clair, Arthur] Re The Disastrous St Clair Expedition, Nov. 4, 1791. Document signed by Cadwalladu Evans, Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, 2pp (recto/verso) plus address leaf, 13 x 8", Philadelphia, Feb. 16, 1798 To John Donnaldson, Comptroller General, investigating the financing of the ill-fated Arthur St. Clair expedition, in which St. Clair, who had served as President of the Continental Congress, Major General in the Continental Army, and first Governor of the Northwest Territory, suffered an ignominious defeat at the hands of the Miami Indians near Ft. Wayne on Nov. 4, 1791. This (not Custer's defeat at the battle of the Little Big Horn) was the worst defeat that the United States suffered at the hands of Indian opposition. It is estimated that the U.S. suffered close to an astonishing 900 casualties. Unlike Custer, St.Clair survived the "Massacre" and lived the rest of his life in disgrace. In this document, the committee questions the Comptroller General as to whether money appropriated for this expedition was kept by those involved. In small part:"…In what situation are the debts due from A.St. Clair …By the report of the Paymaster General (M.Dallas) to the Committee of Ways and means…it appears that he had retained a considerable sum of money put into his hands for supporting the Western Expedition…. " Very good; boldly penned, with several easily-repaired fold splits. Estimated Value $500 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 243		Rare Joseph Warren Document Signed (1741-1775) American physician and Revolutionary War officer. He was active in patriot causes from 1765 and helped prepare the Suffolk Resolves in 1774. As a member of the Committee of Safety, he sent Paul Revere and William Dawes to Lexington on April 18, 1775 to warn John Hancock and John Adams of their danger. He was president pro tempore of the provincial Congress (1775). Appointed a Major General by the Provincial Congress on June 14, 1775, his commission had not yet taken effect three days later when the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought. He served as a volunteer private against the wishes of General Israel Putnam and Colonel William Prescott, who requested that he serve as their commander. During the third and final assault of the British on the hill, Warren was killed instantly by a musket ball in the head. His death was immortalized by the artist John Trumbull. Document signed ("Jos. Warren") on the verso of a document headed "Doctr. Joseph Warren to Azor Orne," 4 x 9". An account for money owed for wine, etc., dated March 20, 1775 at top left. Azor Orne signed below the accounts, with a 1783 date, perhaps closing out the old account. Penned along the edge of the verso in a period hand is "Col. Orne's acct." Azor Orne (1731-1796) was a militia colonel before the start of the Revolution; in January 1776, he was appointed by the Provincial Congress as one of three major-generals of Massachusetts militia. Matted with a beautiful 6 x 4½" engraving by H.W. Smith from an original picture by Copley and double-framed to show Warren's signature; overall size is 20 x 16". Accompanied by a copy of the original COA from Ken Rendell. Estimated Value $15,000 - 18,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $8,625
Lot 244		Wolcott, Oliver, Jr (1760 � 1833) United States Secretary of the Treasury (1795-80); governor of Connecticut (1817-27). Revolutionary War date partly printed document signed as a member of the State of Connecticut Pay-Table Office, 5 x 6¾", August 27, 1782. Ordering payment to Capt. Stephen Brainard for four pounds eight shillings. Fine. Estimated Value $100 - 150. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $63