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Sale 52
Manuscript, Collectibles and Aerospace Auction
| Signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence |
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Description |
Realized |
Lot 245 |
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Ellery, William (1727-1820) Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Rhode Island. Autograph letter signed ("Wm Ellery"), 1 page, 9¾x8", Worcester, March 23, 1815. The closing and signature were removed but skillfully reaffixed without loss. Integral leaf is addressed in Ellery's hand to Miss Philadelphia Ellery in Providence, Rhode Island. Ellery expresses pleasure "that Belinda is willing…to live with us when peace shall take place," and complains that the bad weather makes it hard to fix a date for his arrival at Providence, but he outlines plans for their rendezvous at Newport: "Your brother W., wife and daughter attended by Edward Channing arrived at Newport last Saturday….Be yourself at Providence as soon as you conveniently can…." He gives news of other family members and notes, "Mr. Timmy has gone again to Hartford, and does not mean to live at Newport, the air there not suiting his health so well as that of the country…."
This letter was written not long after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent (December 1814). Because Newport and the coast of Rhode Island were vulnerable to naval attack, many familiies temporarily relocated inland during the War of 1812. Ellery's home and lands were plundered during the War. He was named by Washington to the lucrative post of Collector of Customs for the port of Newport, a post he maintained until his death in 1820.
Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500.
Ex Christie's.
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| Unsold |
Lot 246 |
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Ellery, William. Autograph letter signed ("Wm. Ellery,") 2pp (1 sheet) plus integral, holograph address leaf, Newport, January 16, 1810. To Massachusetts Congressman William Stedman, an influential committee man on commercial and naval affairs in Congress, recommending the son of Ellery's "good friend" Daniel E. Updike, for the position of "Purser in one of our ships of War. " Ellery admits, "…I have not the least acquaintance with the Secry. of the Navy [Paul Hamilton], nor do I know that you have, but I cannot refuse anything to a man who in the most trying times performed his official duties with fidelity…." Updike was a founder of North Kingston's Washington Academy. Very good; toning; small split at top of vertical fold; tipped to another sheet at left margin. Boldly penned and signed.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,000.
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| Realized
$489 |
Lot 247 |
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Hancock, John - DS As Governor of Mass (1737-93) First Signer of the Declaration of Independence; President of the Continental Congress (1775-77); Governor of Massachusetts (1780-85, 1787-93). Document signed as Governor of Massachusetts, 1p, 11½ x 14¾", Oct. 6, 1790. Appointing "James Little Gentleman … Captain of a Company in the second Regiment, first Brigade and fifth Division of the Militia … comprehending the Counties of Plimouth, Marnstable, Bristol, Dukes County & Nantucket". Fine; some toning at right margin and possible small repair; not examined out of frame. Hancock's beautiful bold signature is at center left, under the large, attractive paper seal. Matted with a portrait of Hancock and framed to an overall size of 21¾ x 33"; frame has several nicks.
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
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| Realized
$3,220 |
Lot 248 |
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Ross, George (1730-1779) Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Pennsylvania. Manuscript document signed "G:Ross" at end "George Ross" once in the text, 1 page, Cumberland County, PA, July 1752. Pleading in Cranner vs. Hephen for recovery of an unpaid debt, Ross being attorney for the plaintiff. The basic format of the document is written in brown ink in another hand, with room left for information pertaining to the lawsuit, which Ross wrote in black ink, comprising over 90 words. Good condition; overall toning, clean center horizontal fold separation, partial vertical fold separations and a small hole with minor paper loss in blank area.
Estimated Value $400 - 600.
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| Realized
$259 |
Lot 249 |
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Williams, William (1731-1811) Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Connecticut. Autogaph letter signed ("W. Williams"), 1 page, 8 x 6½", Lebanon (Ct), Nov. 29, 1770. Written to Jabez Hintington (1719-1786), a wealthy merchant and member of the Connecticut legislature who became a major-general of militia during the Revolution, about horses. "As I have Horses enow to winter, conclude to accept your offer for yr mare tho I never once before thot to sell her so low….I find my purse so low since I came from Boston…will not venture to ask you to import more for me…" More content on specific horses, obviously a common bond between the two men. Some reinforcement on verso, else very good.
Estimated Value $300 - 500.
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| Realized
$368 |
Lot 250 |
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Wilson, James (1742-1798) Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Costitution, which he helped to frame; member of the Continental Congress. Partly-printed document signed, 1 page plus integral leaf with docket, on laid, watermarked paper. 13 x 8", Philadelphia, Oct. 19, 1790. This attractive document is an agreement between Wilson and Robert Morris in which Wilson agrees to pay Morris "Seventeen thousand seven hundred and two Livres Eight Sols Tournois." Countersigned by an associate of Morris, Garrett Cottringer. At the time, Morris, whose financial and administrative genius was so important to the American Revolution, was pursuing a vain attempt to corner the American tobacco market (he signed a monopoly with the French), and was just getting into the land speculation that would ultimately be his ruin. Light toning and some old tape marks on verso, else fine. Wilson's beautiful little paper seal is intact to the right of his neat signature.
Estimated Value $600 - 800.
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| Realized
$575 |
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