George Washington. Bold
signature "G. Washington" as Commanding General of the Continental
Army on folded cover addressed in another hand to Colonel Seely at
Elizabethtown N.J., one section of back panels removed, minor age toning
and small edge faultsA FINE COVER AND DESIRABLE "PUBLIC SERVICE" FRANK BY GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON.
This cover and the letter offered in the following lot were originally attached. The letter from General Washington at West Point to Colonel Seely in Elizabethtown concerns information about British and Hessian troop movements on Staten Island. (Image)
George Washington. Letter
signed "G. Washington" as Commanding General of the Continental
Army, datelined "Head Quarters West Point 14th Nov. 1779" to Colonel
Silvanus Seely, interesting content: "I have recd. your favr. of the
11th and am obliged by the intelligence it contains. Should you obtain a
confirmation be pleased to inform me and of the time which the fleet sails.
Should the other embarkation which you mention take place, I shall be
obliged to you for endeavoring to know of what Corps it is composed.",
age toned and some small paper loss at folds, tiny ink smudges to two
letters of signature, professionally cleaned and deacidifiedA DESIRABLE WAR-PERIOD LETTER WRITTEN BY GENERAL WASHINGTON ON THE SUBJECT OF BRITISH AND HESSIAN TROOP MOVEMENTS ON STATEN ISLAND.
General Washington, writing from his headquarters at West Point, is referring to information he received from Colonel Seely about the number of British and Hessian troops being sent to and already stationed on Staten Island (Reference: The Writing of George Washington, ed. Fitzpatrick, 17:103). (Image)
Thomas Jefferson. Bold
"Free Th. Jefferson" free frank as ex-President on 1820 folded cover
from Monticello, addressed in his hand to David Gelstone in New York, neat
strike of red "CHARLOTville Aug 17" datestamp, ms. "Free" at top right, few
light file folds, expertly silked, mounted in beautiful gold frame with
picture of JeffersonVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFULLY-PRESENTED EXAMPLE OF THOMAS JEFFERSON'S FREE FRANK.
Docketing on back dates the enclosure to Aug. 13, 1820. The following lot offers the original letter. (Image)
Thomas Jefferson.
Autograph letter signed "Th. Jefferson" as ex-President, datelined
"Monticello Aug. 13 20", contents reads: "I am obliged to renew
my annual tax on your goodness by asking the favor of your procuring a
passage for the inclosed letters to their address. The commerce of New
York, is so much more extensive than from any other port of the U.S. as to
give it a great preference for the conveyance of foreign letters, and it is
this circumstance which brings on you the present for which I can offer but
the poor tribute of my thankfulness, esteem & respect", notation at
bottom indicates letters for Thomas Appleton (Consul at Leghorn) and Joshua
Dadger (Consul at Marseilles) were enclosed, attractively framed with
portrait of Jefferson and with printed illustration of steamship and
sailing vesselVERY FINE. A DESIRABLE AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BY THOMAS JEFFERSON, TRANSMITTING LETTERS BOUND FOR FOREIGN DESTINATIONS.
The letter offered here was originally joined with the free-franked cover offered in the previous lot. (Image)
John Hancock. Free frank
"Congress Philada. John Hancock" on folded cover addressed in his
hand "To The Honble The Supreme Executive Council of the State of
Pennsylvania", also ms. "On Publick Service", receiver's
endorsement "From Honble John Hancock Esq. April 2nd 1777" at top
left, opened for display and attractively framed with brass plaque at
bottom and portrait at topVERY FINE. A RARE JOHN HANCOCK FREE FRANK AS PRESIDENT OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
John Hancock resigned from his position as President of the Continental Congress in October 1777 as a consequence of failing health. (Image)