Lot 45
Washington, George (1732-1799) First President of the United States (1789-1797); Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Partly Printed Check Signed "G:o Washington" and accomplished in Washington's hand, 2¾ x 7 1/8 in., Mt. Vernon, Aug. 26, 1797. Check No. 1, written on the Bank of Alexandria for $762.50, payable to Dr. James Craik. Decorative border at left margin and lower edge. Small professional repair to lower left corner. Boldly penned and signed.
The Bank of Aleandria was established in 1792. It was the first financial institution authorized by the General Assembly of Virginia. George Washington was a patron and a stockholder of the bank.
Dr. Craik (1730-1814) was born in Scotland and did his medical training at the University of Ediburgh. In 1754, while serving with the British army as a surgeon in Colonel Joshua Fry's Virginia Provincial Regiment, Craik met and became friends with George Washington, who was a lieutenant colonel in the same regiment. After the French and Indian War, Craik lived in Maryland until Washington persuaded him to move to Alexandria, Virginia. During the American Revolution, Craik served as an army surgeon, attaining the rank of Surgeon-General to the Continental Army. In 1798, during the Quasi War with France, Washington appointed him Physician General of the Army, a post he held until 1800. Craik was one of three physicians who attended Washington on his deathbed. He was referred to in Washington's will as his "compatriot in arms, and old and intimate friend."
After Washington's second term as President ended on March 4, 1797, he retired to Mt. Vernon, where he lived until his death on December 14, 1799.
Estimated Value $30,000 - 40,000.
Spink-Smythe (formerly Smythe), Oct 11, 1995, lot 387 - W. S. Roberts Collection.
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| Realized $44,650 |
