Lot 1066
Colonial America: Thirty Day Sight Draft Bill Dated 1781, 3rd and 4th Bill Uncut. This is a thirty day sight draft bill of exchange for $18 / 90 livres tournois from the Continental Congress issued in Maryland. It was signed by Francis Hopkinson as the Treasurer of Loans for the Contnental Congress in Philadelphia. Hopkins proved a remarkable figure in American history having designed the first official American flag, Continental paper money, and the first U.S. coin. He was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence in July 1776. These sight bills were countersigned by Thomas Harwood, Commissioner of the Continental Loan Office in Maryland on the dates indicated.
Sight draft bills were issued in uncut sheets of four bills redeemable in Paris in French pounds tournois at the office of the American Commissioners in Paris. If the first bill was lost at sea the owner would the send the second, then the third and, if necessary, the fourth bill. Once a bill arrived in Paris and was cashed the other bills were void. Bills were issued in denominations of $18, $24, $30, $36, $60, $120, $300, $600 and $1,200. No first bills of exchange are known to survive with second sight bills quite scarce. Third and fourth are more common but to have them uncut as offered here is premium. Further, the Maryland Hopkinson/Harwood combination elevates the rarity of this manuscript substantially with only few others even known to exist. Extremely fine or better, 8 x 8¼" beautifully presented in museum grade framing with gilt wood to 15 ½x 15½". Estimate Value $1,000 - UP
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| Realized $1,320 |
