Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 99

The July 8-9, 2017 Manuscript, Space, Collectibles & Stamp Auction

Signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1		Bartlett, Josiah - Document Signed by a New Hampshire Signer (1725-99) Delegate to the Continental Congress; the second person to sign the Declaration of Independence (after John Hancock); signer of the Articles of Confederation; member of Federal constitutional convention; president, then governor of New Hampshire. Partly-printed document signed twice, once as a witness and once as Justice of the Peace, one page, 12½ x 7¾", on laid, water marked paper, Rockingham, Kingstown, July 13, 1773. A document whereby Elizabeth Fling of Exeter, Spinster, for the sum of twenty-five shillings from Job Keniston of Brentwood, gives up all of her rights to a piece of land that was the homestead of her late father, Morrice Fling. Light toning; tiny holes at center from fold wear. An attractive document with two signatures. Estimate Value $1,000 - 1,250 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $720
Lot 2		Carroll, Charles - Autograph Note Signed by the only Catholic Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1737-1832) Signer of the Declaration of Independence; member of the Continental Congress. He was the only Catholic Signer, the longest lived, and the last surviving Signer. Autograph note signed "Ch. Carroll of Carrollton," one page with holograph address on verso, 9½ x 8", Doughoregan Manor near Baltimore, June 28, 1824. The 87-year-old Carroll writes, "Mr. Foster is requested to put into the post office the inclosed letter." The letter referred to is not present. Carroll wrote the address in his hand, "To Captain Francis Foster / Baltimore." Some toning and discoloration; seal torn from right margin was kept and taped to left edge of paper; wax remnant from seal is present on address leaf. Two horizontal fold splits do not affect text or signature and are easily repaired. Carroll's writing is shaky from old age but still bold. Estimate Value $1,200 - 1,500 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 3		Ellery, William - ADS by Signer of the Declaration of Independence From Rhode Island (1727-1820). Autograph document signed in the text, on a 1½ x 3¾" piece of paper, Newport, April 10, 1773. Ellery writes a receipt: "Received/Newport April 10th 1773 of William Ellery Seventy eight Pounds nine Shillings and nine Pence old Tenor in full of all Accounts." The receipt is matted with a biographical plaque and an image of Ellery and handsomely framed to an overall size of 18½ x 11". Estimate Value $500 - 600 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $384
Lot 4		Gerry, Elbridge - Signer From Massachusetts - Partial Autograph Letter Signed (1744-1814) Signer of the Declaration of Independence and member of the Continental Congress; one of three men who refused to sign the U.S. Constitution without a Bill of Rights; U.S. Congressman, Governor of Massachusetts, and Vice President of the U.S. The term "gerrymandering" was coined from Gerry's name. Partial autograph letter signed "E. Gerry" with closing, "I remain respectfully & sincerely your friend," and name of addressee, "The Honble Ezekiel Maur," 2¼ x 6", affixed to a 7 x 7¾" sheet of paper, no place, no date. Minor show-through from writing on verso. Boldly penned and signed. Estimate Value $500 - 600 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 5		Hancock, John - Document Signed as Governor of Massachusetts With Exceptional Signature. Partly-printed document signed "John Hancock" as Governor of Massachusetts, one page, on laid paper, 13 x 14" (Boston), June 17, 1789. Appointing Marlborough Whiling "Cornet of a Company raised in the fifth Division of Militia in this Commonwealth comprehending the Counties of Plimouth Barnstable Bristol Dukes County and Nantucket." Countersigned by John Avery. 22" Cornet was originally the third and lowest grade of commissioned officer in a British cavalry troop, after captain and lieutenant. It was abolished in the U.S. Army in 1815, along with the rank of ensign. Estimate Value $7,000 - 9,000 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 6		Harrison, Benjamin - Document Signed by the Declaration Signer as Governor of Virginia (1726-1791) American Revolutionary Leader. Member of the Virginia Legislature (1749-75); Virginia delegate to Continental Congress (1774-78); Signer of the Declaration; Governor of the State of Virginia (1782- 84). Manuscript document signed "Benj Harrison" as Governor of Virginia, one page, 16¾ x 14¼, Richmond, Sept. 1, 1783. Granting to John Green "a tract of land containing Four Hundred acres…in the County of Monongalia on the waters of Cheat River on a Run call Buffaloe Run adjoining land claimed by James Morgan…." Very good; written on laid, water marked paper, with overall toning and numerous old tape repairs to folds, which divide document into eight sections; separated at most folds with paper loss at intersections, but few words are affected. Nice paper and wax seal at lower left. Signature has one vertical fold through the "n" in "Benj" but is otherwise strong and clear. Handsomely matted with a small image of Harrison and a biographical plaque and framed to 24 x 26"; a few minor dings to frame can be easily touched up. Harrison's son, William Henry Harrison, became a famous general and the ninth President, albeit for only 32 days in 1841, and his eponymous great grandson became the 23rd President (1889-93). Estimate Value $600 - 800 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 7		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 8		Heyward, Thomas - 1786 Document Signed by A South Carolina Signer (1746-1809) Signer of the Declaration of Independence from South Carolina; he also signed the Articles of Confederation. Partly-printed Document Signed "Thos Heyward, Junr." as a judge, one page, 8 x 13 in., Charleston, Mar. 21, 1786. A summons for Thomas Jervey to appear before justices of the Court of Common Pleas to answer to Charles Warham in a case concerning trespassing. Verso has notations in various hands regarding the case. A large stain covers the left side and lower portion of the document, including the signature, which is quite bold. A black vertical smudge also affects the "Junr" in the signature and the center horizontal fold is split through about half of the signature; left corners are damaged and may have been burned. This is not a pretty document but Heyward's signature is large and bold and Heyward is scarce. Estimate Value $600 - 700 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 9		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 10		Hopkins, Stephen - Autograph Document Signed by a Rhode Island Signer (1707-85) Governor of Rhode Island (1755-56, 1758-61, 1763-64, 1767); Rhode Island delegate to the Continental Congress (1774-80); and Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Autograph document signed "Step Hopkins" as clerk of the Superior Court of Common Pleas, one page, 5 x 7½", Providence, R.I., July 13, 1744. Hopkins orders the sheriff of the county or his deputy to summon Amos Lockwood to appear and "…give Evidence to the truth of what he knows relating to the issue of an action of Trespass…." A repaired vertical fold lightly touches the "k" in "Hopkins," else fine. Housed in a custom-made, tri-fold, fine calfskin display measuring 16½ x 11½" (folded). Estimate Value $600 - 800 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,200
Lot 11		Livingston, Philip - Letter With Holograph Closing and Signature by a New York Signer (1716-78) New York merchant and patriot who served in the Continental Congress (1774-78) and was a Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Letter signed "Phil. Livingston", one page, 10 x 7½", New York, July 17, 1764. To James Parker regarding repayment of monies lent by Livingston's son to one William Allen. In part: "My son writes me that it is [a] pity you Countermanded the Cr[edit] and if that had not Happened that Allen would have been in possession of the Real Estate…." Livingston wrote the closing in his hand, "Sir your Most Hum[ble] Servt." and signed below. Silked on verso. Lower edge has a partial fold split at right; small paper loss at lower and upper left corners. Housed in a custom-made, tri-fold, fine calfskin display measuring 16½ x 11½" (folded). Estimate Value $800 - 1,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,080
Lot 12		McKean, Thomas - Beautiful Document Signed by a Pennsylvania Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1735-1817) Signer of the Declaration of Independence, member of the Continental Congress, and Governor of Pennsylvania. Partly-printed document signed "Tho M:Kean" as Governor of Pennsylvania, on vellum, 12 x 21" (Philadelphia), Aug. 13, 1806. Countersigned by Deputy Secretary James Trimble. Granting 1100 acres, making up a tract of land called "Kells" in Armstrong County, to Alexander Baring, Henry Baring, Robert Gilmore, Thomas Mayne Willing, and Charles Willing Hare, all of whom are the heirs of Thomas M. Willing, who first received the grant in 1793. Fine condition. A lovely document with a large star seal at upper left, next to which is a vignette of the Pennsylvania coat of arms. Signed on the verso by Timothy Matlack, who recorded the document in the records book. Matlack was the engrosser of the Declaration of Independence. One of the nicest examples of this type of document we have seen. Estimate Value $500 - 600 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 13		Morris, Lewis - 1784 Document Signed by a New York Signer (1726-89) Member of the Continental Congress (1775-77) and Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Document signed, "Lewis Morris," 1½ pages, 4½ x 8", [New York], May 12, 1784. Statement signed by Pierre Van Cortlandt (first Lieutenant Governor of New York and President of the New York State Constitutional Convention) acknowledging Morris' attendance at the New York State Senate "as a member from the 24th January to the 12th day of May 94 days and 2 Travelling days 96 days…£76.16." On the verso Morris acknowledges receipt of the amount due him. Both signatures are bold. Housed in a custom-made, tri-fold, fine calfskin display measuring 16½ x 11½" (folded). Estimate Value $700 - 900 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,050
Lot 14		Morton, John - Autograph Document Signed by a Pennsylvania Signer (1724-77) Member of the Pennsylvania Assembly (1756-76); delegate to the Stamp Act Congress (1765); member of the Continental Congress; and Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Autograph document signed "John Morton" as Sheriff of Chester County, one page, 4 x 9½", [Chester County, Aug. 29, 1769]. Morton writes on the verso of an order to seize the property of a debtor: "By virtue of this Writ to me directed I have seized and Taken in Execution the Messuage Land & premises contained in the Annexed Inquisition which Remains in my hands unsold for want of buyers. So Answers John Mortom Sheriff." Paper loss at lower left corner does not affect Morton's text or signature. Slight seal stains, but otherwise fine. Housed in a custom-made, tri-fold, fine calfskin display measuring 16½ x 11½" (folded). Estimate Value $600 - 800 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 15		Rutledge, Edward - Autograph Letter Signed by a Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1749-1800) Youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence; Governor of South Carolina (1798-1800). After signing the Declaration of Independence, Edward returned to South Carolina and took a seat in the State Assembly. He was a captain of militia and fought in the Battle of Beaufort in 1779. In 1780 he was captured by the British during the fall of Charleston and held prisoner until July 1781. Autograph letter signed "Edward Rutledge" as Governor of South Carolina, 4½ x 7", Columbia, Dec. 7, 1799. Addressed to "Mr. President & gentlemen of the Senate," the Governor writes: "I herewith transmit to you a copy [not present] of a Letter, which I received from Colonel Serf_____? containing his resignation as Engineer of this state." Fine condition; boldly penned and signed. Matted with a 4½ x 3½" engraving of Rutledge and a small biographical plaque and framed to an overall size of 20 x 13", the frame with a few minor dings. Ready for display. Estimate Value $800 - 1,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,320
Lot 16		Smith, James - Revolutionary War-date Autograph Document Signed (1719-1806) Pennsylvania member of the Continental Congress (1776-78); Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Autograph document signed "Jas Smith" as defense attorney, 1¼ pages, 13 x 8½", York County (Pa), June 21,1782. A defense of judgment in the case of John Heckendorn vs. John Miller. In part: "John Miller; late of York County, Yeoman, otherwise called John Miller of York Town Tape Weaver was summoned To answer John Heckendorn of a Plea that he render him sixty pounds and one shilling (in gold or Silver) lawfull money of Pennsylvania--which to him he oweth & unjustly detaineth…." Overall toning and a couple of edge chips. A lengthy document, boldly penned and signed by Smith. Housed in a custom-made, tri-fold, fine calfskin display measuring 16½ x 11½" (folded). Estimate Value $1,000 - 1,500 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,800
Lot 17		Thornton, Mathew - Autograph Document Signed by a Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1714-1803) Signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Hampshire. Thornton was elected to the Continental Congress after the vote for independence. He arrived in Philadelphia in November 1776 and signed the Declaration for New Hampshire, some three months after most of the delegates had signed on August 2. Autograph document signed "Mathew Thornton" as "one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for said Province,"on laid paper, 5¾ x 7½", Londonderry, New Hampshire, Sept. 6, 1765. An arrest warrant for Arthur Archibald, directing the sheriff and other law enforcement officers to apprehend him and "bring him Before me, to be Examined…& to be Dealt with as the Law Directs." Very good; a small red-wax seal remant remains; normal folds, toning, and one small hole at the end of the bold paraph underlining Thornton's signature. Matted with a 4½ x 3¼" image of Thornton and a small biographical plaque and framed to an overall size of 12¼ x 18". Matthew Thornton is rare. Estimate Value $1,800 - 2,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,280
Lot 18		Walton, George - Document Signed by a Georgia Signer of the Declaration of Independence (c. 1741-1804) Signer of the Declaration of Independence, one of three from Georgia, including Button Gwinnett and Lyman Hall. During the Revolutionary War, Walton served as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress (1776-78), and was commissioned a colonel in the First Georgia Regiment of Militia. He was injured at the Battle of Savannah in 1778 and taken prisoner; he was exchanged in October 1779. He served as Governor and Chief Justice of Georgia, and briefly filled a vacancy as U.S. senator. He served as a judge of the superior court from 1790 until his death in 1804. A legal document signed "Geo Walton" as a judge of the superior court, 2 pages (recto/verso of 1 page), on laid, watermarked paper, 10 x 7¾", Richmond County, Georgia, Aug. 4, 1802. The document is addressed "To the Sheriff of Montgomery County, his lawful deputy or any constable," giving orders "to attach the estate both real & personal of…Thomas Ruston." Benjamin Sims had sworn a complaint against Ruston, who owed him money, but because Ruston "resides out of the limits of this state…the ordinary process of law cannot be served upon him…." Very good condition; uneven top edge affects one line of text on verso, one third of which is unevenly toned; otherwise, minor soiling.a few ink specks and smudges. Walton's bold signature is a very nice example, signed vertically in the left margin of the front of the document, under a small, attractive paper seal. Estimate Value $1,000 - 1,500 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 19		Williams, William - Autograph Note Signed by a Connecticut Signer (1731-1811) American merchant and politician; signer of the Declaration of Independence from Connecticut. He fought in the French and Indian War and was a Revolutionary War patriot. In 1776, Williams was elected to the Continental Congress to replace Oliver Wolcott, who, certain that the vote for the Declaration would be affirmative, had returned home for an overdue visit. Williams arrived too late to vote for Independence, but signed the engrossed Declaration. He was appointed a member of the committee to frame the Articles of Confederation and in 1787, he attended the Hartford convention, where Connecticut ratified the Federal Constitution. Autograph Note Signed "W. Williams" as Registrar, on a 1½ x 1 7/8" slip of paper cut from a letter or document. Williams notes in his hand, "Recd. & Recorded on Lebanon Records…p. 327 W. Williams Reg." His signature is preceded and followed by a paraph. Estimate Value $500 - 600 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 20		Wilson, James - Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution (1742 - 1798) Pennsylvania Signer of the Declaration of Independence and of the Constitution. He was chairman of the committee that presented the first draft of the Federal Constitution and a member of the state convention that ratified it. He also served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1789-98). His later years were marred by ill-fated land speculation, which prompted him to move to New Jersey to avoid arrest for debt in Philadelphia. Autograph document signed "Wilson" as attorney for the defendant in the case of Michael Coons vs. George Shad, brought before the court for the April Term 1774, one page, 12½ x 7½", Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Feb. 26, 1774. Wilson signs the document as attorney for George Shad, who was summoned to court regarding a debt to Coons, which Shad refused to pay. The document is toned overall; heavy fold wear, including tape repair to center fold, affecting a few words of the text and two splits in right vertical fold, easily repaired. Estimate Value $800 - 1,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $500
Lot 21		Wythe, George AES and First of the Seven Virginia Signatories on the Declaration of Independence (1726-1806) The first of the seven Virginia signatories of the United States Declaration of Independence, Wythe served as one of Virginia's representatives to the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. He was the first American law professor, a noted classics scholar and Virginia judge, as well as a prominent opponent of slavery. Wythe taught and mentored Thomas Jefferson, Henry Clay and John Marshall and his residence is at present a museum in Colonial Williamsburg. Wythe's death proved quite a scandal involving being poisoned by his grandson, George Wythe Sweeney, and makes for great reading. Offered is a superb autograph endorsement signed in near pristine condition. Presented beautifully in a collage including the endorsement, a portrait engraving and a photo of his residence in Williamsburg, Virginia handsomely framed to 15 x 19". Estimate Value $1,200 - 1,500 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $3,000
Lot 22		*Early English Newspaper, The Observator. In Dialogue. Saturday, December 31, 1681.* Two-page newspaper (one sheet), 13¼ x 8¼", London, Printed for Joanna Brome, at the Gun in S. Pauls Church-yard. The Observator was a newspaper written in the form of a dialogue by Roger L'Estrange. It was published from April 13, 1681 to January 15, 1704. The paper promoted L'Estrange's anti-whig views. This issue features a dialogue between a Tory and a Whig on the subject of religion. Overall foxing; several edge chips and small paper loss at corners, not affecting text. Sir Roger L'Estrange (1616-1704, London), was an English journalist and pamphleteer who was an ardent Royalist during the English Civil Wars and Commonwealth period (1649�60). After the Restoration, he was appointed surveyor of the impremerie. In addition to The Observator, he published two other news sheets: the Intelligencer and the News, from 1663 to 1666, as well as a variety of pamphlets in support of the government. He was knighted in 1685 for his part in discrediting the Popish Plot, a fictitious story alleging that the Jesuits planned to assassinate King Charles II. Estimate Value $200 - 300 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 23		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 24		The Constitution of the United States of America - Scarce Issue With the Bill of Rights and the Recently-added Eleventh Amendment, 1799. The Constitution of the United States of America; as Proposed by the Convention, held at Philadelphia, September 17, 1787, and since ratified by the Several States. [With the several amendments thereto.] [Published by order of the House of Representatives.] Philadelphia: Printed by John H. Oswald. 1799. Minor soiling and light damp soiling, which almost entirely on blank facing pages and not on printed pages, p. 27 being an exception. An 1803 newspaper article headed regarding "Amendment of the Constitution" is affixed at top and bottom to blank page facing p. 13; five lines of annotations are written on the page, below the article. Estimate Value $800 - 1,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $690
Lot 25		Common Sense by Thomas Paine - Mid 19th Century Edition. Common Sense: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America, on the Following Interesting Subjects, Viz.:--1.--Of the Origin and Design of Government in General; With Concise Remarks on the English Constitution. II.--Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession. III.--Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs. IV.--Of the Present Ability of America; With Some Miscellaneous Reflections. With an Appendix, on the Duty of Immediate Separation. By Thomas Paine. Boston : J.P. Mendum, At the Office of the Boston Investigator, [1850?], 48pp., With small paper loss to yellow wrappers. Light toning throughout. Estimate Value $300 - 500 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold