![[DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, SIGNERS] Michael, William. The Declaration of Independence. Illustrated Story...With the Biographies and Portraits of the Signers... Washington: Government Printing Office, 1904.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2000/NYR/2000_NYR_09364_0026_000(011317).jpg?w=1)
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[DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, SIGNERS] Michael, William. The Declaration of Independence. Illustrated Story...With the Biographies and Portraits of the Signers... Washington: Government Printing Office, 1904.
Folio (378 x 275 mm.), A VERY ELABORATE PRESENTATION BINDING BY RIVIERE & SON, spine dated 1904, in full brown morocco, covers with medallion of eagle, crest, crossed flags, Liberty Bell, etc., in onlaid blue, green, red, and white leathers, inlaid and gilt-ruled borders, spine richly gilt; front doublures of inlaid red, green and blue morocco with large miniature portrait of a seated John Hancock (124 x 98mm.), dark green watered silk endpages; rear doublures with gilt signatures of the Signers, gilt edges, half morocco protective chemise, enclosed in fleece-lined cloth slipcase.
EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED WITH LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS OF 48 OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. A sumptuous album, by an eminent London binder, with a letter of presentation bound at front recording its gift from William H. Michael to John B. Jackson of the U.S. Legation in Athens, Greece, July 7, 1905. Each document is neatly tipped or inlaid to the album's large pages; most include full transcripts. The collection, understandably, is incomplete: lacking are John Adams, George Taylor, Francis Lewis, George Taylor, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, John Penn, and Lyman Hall (while the examples present of Franklin, Hooper, Hewes and Gwinnett are forgeries). While a rather modest set, there are a number of fine examples and the collection could easily be upgraded.
Contents:
HANCOCK, John. Partly printed DS as Governor of Massachussets, Boston, 12 July 1787. 1 p., large folio, browned along folds, papered seal. Registering the schooner Phenix, sailing from Marblehead. Bold signature. -- BARTLETT, Josiah. DS, Exeter, N.H., 2 April 1784. An oblong, two circular cancellation holes. Ordering payment of £12.11.2 for wages in military service. -- WHIPPLE, William. ALS to "President Meshech Weare" of N.H., Exeter, 21 Feb. 1781. 1 p., 4to, integral address leaf,. To state's first Governor regarding a bond carrying "several endorsements...in your hand writing..." -- THORNTON, Matthew. Partly printed DS, Londonderry, N.H., 6 Dec. 1796. 1 p., folio, seal. Recording the sale of "a certain Pew in the East Parish Meeting House in Londonderry". -- ADAMS, Samuel. Partly printed DS as Massachusetts Governor, Boston, 16 June 1796. 1 p., large folio, folded, papered seal. Appointing a Justice of the Peace. -- PAINE, Robert Treat. ALS to Rev Williams at Fort Edward, "Camp Lake George" [N.Y.], 9 Oct. 1755. 1 full p., small 4to. Warm letter regretting his absence from camp, adding that he is ministering to "your three Regiments." -- GERRY, Elbridge. ALS to "Gentlemen of the Senate and...House," [Washington, D.C.], Feb. 1812. 4 pp., 4to. Long, detailed message to Congress on economic aspects of sheep raising. Fine example. -- GERRY. ALS to a daughter, Miss Ann Gerry, Washington, 8 April 1814. 2 pp., 4to. Chiding a daughter who married without permission, assuring her that there is no "abatement of my affection for you" -- HOPKINS, Stephen. Clipped signature, n.p., n.d. An oblong. -- HOPKINS. LS, Hartford, 28 Oct. 1779. 2 pp., 4to, fine. Lengthy, important letter on depreciation of Continental currency, prices for supplies for the Continental Army. -- ELLERY, William. Autograph draft LS to Elizur Goodrich, New York, 26 March 1785. 1 full p., 4to, fine. Regarding a promissory note, adding "the Senate of New York have rejected a bill for the Congressional impost." -- SHERMAN, Roger. ALS to Lawrence, State Treasurer, New Haven, 23 Dec. 1783. An oblong. Financial matters and taxes. -- HUNTINGTON, Samuel. Clipped signature. An oblong. -- HUNTINGTON. ALS to E.Kirby, Norwich, 9 Dec. 1788. 1 full p., 4to. Making corrections in "report of cases adjudged in the Sup. Court"; praising its usefulness. -- WILLIAMS, William. ADS, Hartford, 15 Dec. 1780. 1 p., 4to. As Clerk, issuing for Governor and Council of Safety a pay warrant to the companies at Forts Trumbull and Griswold, verso with endorsement of Wm. Ledyard. -- WOLCOTT, Oliver. AES, Litchfield County, Conn., 26 March 1756. An oblong. On verso of a partly printed payment order. -- FLOYD, William. ADS, [N.Y.], 17 June 1811. An oblong. Acknowledging payment for lease of "Lot No. 76 in Fondas Patent." -- LIVINGSTON, Philip. Partly printed DS, 9 Aug. 1756. 1 p., folio. Witnessing unusual will for mariner Thomas Blanken leaving "prize monies" from a ship "now bound on a cruze against his Majesties Enemies." -- MORRIS, Lewis. ADS, New York, 15 Sept. 1790. 1/2 p., 4to. Certifying damage to manor of Morrisiana, sustained "during the late war with Great Britain," while occupied by Solomon Fowler," a British officer. -- STOCKTON, Richard. ADS, [N.J.], 6 Jan. 1772. An oblong, browned. Acknowledging receipt of £1.13.4. -- WITHERSPOON, Jonathan. Clipped signature. Small oblong. -- CLARK, Abraham. AES, Essex County [N.J.], 16 June 1767. 1 p., 4to. As sheriff, certifying inquest into damages to certain property. -- HOPKINSON, Francis. Partly printed DS, New Hampshire, 5 Nov. 1779. An oblong, counter-signed on verso by Matthew Thornton, silked. Attractively printed treasury warrant, ordering payment to Thornton. -- HART, John. Printed DS (currency), N.J., 20 Feb. 1776. An oblong. Thirty shilling note, printed in red and black. -- MORRIS, Robert. ALS to Messrs. Samuel and James Smith, Phila., 5 April 1786. 1 full p., 4to, intact red seal. Forwarding various financial instruments, including one to payable to Morris for £300. Fine example. -- RUSH, Benjamin. Partly printed DS, [Phila.], 17 April 1786. 1 p., oblong. Attesting that a certificate is the property of Dickinson College. -- FRANKLIN, Benjamin. R. Spring forgery of ALS, Phila., 2 Aug. 1787. An oblong. -- MORTON, John. Printed DS (currency), Pennsylvania, 3 April 1772. Small oblong. Note for 2s. 6d., printed by Hall & Sellers. -- CLYMER, George. ALS to Mr. Coxe, [Phila.], 1 Sept. 1792. 1 p., 4to, integral address leaf. Explaining he has made his last payment of $3164.95 for customs duties. -- SMITH, James. Document endorsed and signed, York, 12 June 1784. 1 full p., folio. Defending in a case involving a debt of £150, Smith notes "I am uninformed." -- WILSON, James. DS, Wilsonville, 9 April 1794. 1 p., small 4to. Acknowledging promissory note for $320, payable to John James Audubon, to the account of the Wilsonvill[e] Works. -- ROSS, George. ADS, Lancaster, 4 March 1765. An oblong, faded. Docket regarding a civil suit. -- RODNEY, Caesar. ALS to Thomas Rodney (his brother), Phila., 5 April 1782. 1½ pp., folio, integral address leaf. Lengthy letter, in Congress, giving instructions on leasing lands and managing crops; requesting "information relative to other matters that you may think worth communicating." Fine example. -- READ, George. ADS, n.p., 30 July 1779. An oblong. Warrant to bring Francis Wade before the court. -- MCKEAN, Thomas. Clipped signature. An oblong, papered seal. MCKEAN. Fragment of Printed document signed , n.p., n.d. [c.1800]. An oblong. Large paper seal, bold heading in type. -- CHASE, Samuel. ALS to General [Mordecai] Gist, Baltimore, 1 Dec. 1790. 1 p., 4to, integral address leaf. Introducing a friend visiting Charlestown, reporting "I am still confined to my room." -- PACA, William. ALS, n.p., 15 June 1786. 1 p., oblong, pale, one corner defective. Order to pay James Rice £22.1s.9p. -- STONE, Thomas. ALS, Balt., 10 November, 1767. 1 p., 4to. Witnessing cancellation of a lease in Baltimore County. -- CARROLL, Charles. ADS, n.p., 10 Sept. 1782. An oblong. Detailed account of William Hobbs, with postscript demanding payment and threatening to sue. -- WYTHE, George. Clipped signature. An oblong. -- LEE, Richard Henry. AES (twice), Chantilly [Va.], 27 Oct. 1791. 1 p., 4to, endorsement on ALS of by William Augustine Washington, directing payment to son, Thomas Lee, "whose receipt for the same shall be as good as mine." Second endorsement on verso. -- JEFFERSON, Thomas. Printed DS as Sec. of State, N.Y., 23 Jan. 1792. 1 p., folio, fine. Act of Second Congress "to extend the time limited to settling the Accounts of the United States with th Individual states. Fine example. -- HARRISON, Benjamin. ALS to Colonel Davies, Virginia, 15 March 1782. An oblong. Requesting mounted trooper, "of good character...to attend Mr. Madison to Fort Pitt on public business." -- BRAXTON, Carter. Clipped signature, 23 Aug. 1784. An oblong. -- HOOPER, William. Forgery of clipped signature. -- HEWES, Joseph. Clipped signature from document, 30 May 1766, possibly by a namesake of the Signer. -- RUTLEDGE, Edward. ALS as Gov. of Virginia, to "Mr. President & Gentleman of the Senate," Va., 28 Nov. 1799. 1 p., folio, docketed "7th Decmr. to be considered in a committee of the whole house...debated & a Resolution found" with "14 Yeas/11 Nays.". Notification to Senate of receipt of Resolutions from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Kentucky, and two Acts. Fine example. -- HEYWARD, Thomas, Jr. Partly printed DS, Charleston, 12 Aug. 1788. 1 p., oblong folio, papered seal. Warrant to sheriff to arrest Thos. Bourke for debt. Fine. -- MIDDLETON, Arthur. DS to John Shays, S.C., 20 May 1782. An oblong, piece cut away at lower edge with loss of "A." in signature. Counter-signed by John Rutledge and David Ramsey; pay order for $200 on the State of S.C. -- GWINNETT, Button. Forgery of signature ("B.Gwinnett") on part of a document, n.p., n.d. An oblong. With inscription "Autograph genuine Lyman C. Draper, June 8 '89." -- WALTON, George. Autograph endorsement and signature, [Augusta, Ga.], 12 Jan. 1785. An oblong. Certifying record of Sheriff's fees. -- THOMSON, Charles, Sec. of Congress. LS to the Gov. of Connecticut, "Office of Secretary of Congress" [Phila.], 27 Oct. 1786. 1 full p., folio. A circular letter transmitting Act of 30 April 1784, recommending changes to "vest the powers...for the term of 15 years." Fine example. Together 53 items.
Folio (378 x 275 mm.), A VERY ELABORATE PRESENTATION BINDING BY RIVIERE & SON, spine dated 1904, in full brown morocco, covers with medallion of eagle, crest, crossed flags, Liberty Bell, etc., in onlaid blue, green, red, and white leathers, inlaid and gilt-ruled borders, spine richly gilt; front doublures of inlaid red, green and blue morocco with large miniature portrait of a seated John Hancock (124 x 98mm.), dark green watered silk endpages; rear doublures with gilt signatures of the Signers, gilt edges, half morocco protective chemise, enclosed in fleece-lined cloth slipcase.
EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED WITH LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS OF 48 OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. A sumptuous album, by an eminent London binder, with a letter of presentation bound at front recording its gift from William H. Michael to John B. Jackson of the U.S. Legation in Athens, Greece, July 7, 1905. Each document is neatly tipped or inlaid to the album's large pages; most include full transcripts. The collection, understandably, is incomplete: lacking are John Adams, George Taylor, Francis Lewis, George Taylor, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, John Penn, and Lyman Hall (while the examples present of Franklin, Hooper, Hewes and Gwinnett are forgeries). While a rather modest set, there are a number of fine examples and the collection could easily be upgraded.
Contents:
HANCOCK, John. Partly printed DS as Governor of Massachussets, Boston, 12 July 1787. 1 p., large folio, browned along folds, papered seal. Registering the schooner Phenix, sailing from Marblehead. Bold signature. -- BARTLETT, Josiah. DS, Exeter, N.H., 2 April 1784. An oblong, two circular cancellation holes. Ordering payment of £12.11.2 for wages in military service. -- WHIPPLE, William. ALS to "President Meshech Weare" of N.H., Exeter, 21 Feb. 1781. 1 p., 4to, integral address leaf,. To state's first Governor regarding a bond carrying "several endorsements...in your hand writing..." -- THORNTON, Matthew. Partly printed DS, Londonderry, N.H., 6 Dec. 1796. 1 p., folio, seal. Recording the sale of "a certain Pew in the East Parish Meeting House in Londonderry". -- ADAMS, Samuel. Partly printed DS as Massachusetts Governor, Boston, 16 June 1796. 1 p., large folio, folded, papered seal. Appointing a Justice of the Peace. -- PAINE, Robert Treat. ALS to Rev Williams at Fort Edward, "Camp Lake George" [N.Y.], 9 Oct. 1755. 1 full p., small 4to. Warm letter regretting his absence from camp, adding that he is ministering to "your three Regiments." -- GERRY, Elbridge. ALS to "Gentlemen of the Senate and...House," [Washington, D.C.], Feb. 1812. 4 pp., 4to. Long, detailed message to Congress on economic aspects of sheep raising. Fine example. -- GERRY. ALS to a daughter, Miss Ann Gerry, Washington, 8 April 1814. 2 pp., 4to. Chiding a daughter who married without permission, assuring her that there is no "abatement of my affection for you" -- HOPKINS, Stephen. Clipped signature, n.p., n.d. An oblong. -- HOPKINS. LS, Hartford, 28 Oct. 1779. 2 pp., 4to, fine. Lengthy, important letter on depreciation of Continental currency, prices for supplies for the Continental Army. -- ELLERY, William. Autograph draft LS to Elizur Goodrich, New York, 26 March 1785. 1 full p., 4to, fine. Regarding a promissory note, adding "the Senate of New York have rejected a bill for the Congressional impost." -- SHERMAN, Roger. ALS to Lawrence, State Treasurer, New Haven, 23 Dec. 1783. An oblong. Financial matters and taxes. -- HUNTINGTON, Samuel. Clipped signature. An oblong. -- HUNTINGTON. ALS to E.Kirby, Norwich, 9 Dec. 1788. 1 full p., 4to. Making corrections in "report of cases adjudged in the Sup. Court"; praising its usefulness. -- WILLIAMS, William. ADS, Hartford, 15 Dec. 1780. 1 p., 4to. As Clerk, issuing for Governor and Council of Safety a pay warrant to the companies at Forts Trumbull and Griswold, verso with endorsement of Wm. Ledyard. -- WOLCOTT, Oliver. AES, Litchfield County, Conn., 26 March 1756. An oblong. On verso of a partly printed payment order. -- FLOYD, William. ADS, [N.Y.], 17 June 1811. An oblong. Acknowledging payment for lease of "Lot No. 76 in Fondas Patent." -- LIVINGSTON, Philip. Partly printed DS, 9 Aug. 1756. 1 p., folio. Witnessing unusual will for mariner Thomas Blanken leaving "prize monies" from a ship "now bound on a cruze against his Majesties Enemies." -- MORRIS, Lewis. ADS, New York, 15 Sept. 1790. 1/2 p., 4to. Certifying damage to manor of Morrisiana, sustained "during the late war with Great Britain," while occupied by Solomon Fowler," a British officer. -- STOCKTON, Richard. ADS, [N.J.], 6 Jan. 1772. An oblong, browned. Acknowledging receipt of £1.13.4. -- WITHERSPOON, Jonathan. Clipped signature. Small oblong. -- CLARK, Abraham. AES, Essex County [N.J.], 16 June 1767. 1 p., 4to. As sheriff, certifying inquest into damages to certain property. -- HOPKINSON, Francis. Partly printed DS, New Hampshire, 5 Nov. 1779. An oblong, counter-signed on verso by Matthew Thornton, silked. Attractively printed treasury warrant, ordering payment to Thornton. -- HART, John. Printed DS (currency), N.J., 20 Feb. 1776. An oblong. Thirty shilling note, printed in red and black. -- MORRIS, Robert. ALS to Messrs. Samuel and James Smith, Phila., 5 April 1786. 1 full p., 4to, intact red seal. Forwarding various financial instruments, including one to payable to Morris for £300. Fine example. -- RUSH, Benjamin. Partly printed DS, [Phila.], 17 April 1786. 1 p., oblong. Attesting that a certificate is the property of Dickinson College. -- FRANKLIN, Benjamin. R. Spring forgery of ALS, Phila., 2 Aug. 1787. An oblong. -- MORTON, John. Printed DS (currency), Pennsylvania, 3 April 1772. Small oblong. Note for 2s. 6d., printed by Hall & Sellers. -- CLYMER, George. ALS to Mr. Coxe, [Phila.], 1 Sept. 1792. 1 p., 4to, integral address leaf. Explaining he has made his last payment of $3164.95 for customs duties. -- SMITH, James. Document endorsed and signed, York, 12 June 1784. 1 full p., folio. Defending in a case involving a debt of £150, Smith notes "I am uninformed." -- WILSON, James. DS, Wilsonville, 9 April 1794. 1 p., small 4to. Acknowledging promissory note for $320, payable to John James Audubon, to the account of the Wilsonvill[e] Works. -- ROSS, George. ADS, Lancaster, 4 March 1765. An oblong, faded. Docket regarding a civil suit. -- RODNEY, Caesar. ALS to Thomas Rodney (his brother), Phila., 5 April 1782. 1½ pp., folio, integral address leaf. Lengthy letter, in Congress, giving instructions on leasing lands and managing crops; requesting "information relative to other matters that you may think worth communicating." Fine example. -- READ, George. ADS, n.p., 30 July 1779. An oblong. Warrant to bring Francis Wade before the court. -- MCKEAN, Thomas. Clipped signature. An oblong, papered seal. MCKEAN. Fragment of Printed document signed , n.p., n.d. [c.1800]. An oblong. Large paper seal, bold heading in type. -- CHASE, Samuel. ALS to General [Mordecai] Gist, Baltimore, 1 Dec. 1790. 1 p., 4to, integral address leaf. Introducing a friend visiting Charlestown, reporting "I am still confined to my room." -- PACA, William. ALS, n.p., 15 June 1786. 1 p., oblong, pale, one corner defective. Order to pay James Rice £22.1s.9p. -- STONE, Thomas. ALS, Balt., 10 November, 1767. 1 p., 4to. Witnessing cancellation of a lease in Baltimore County. -- CARROLL, Charles. ADS, n.p., 10 Sept. 1782. An oblong. Detailed account of William Hobbs, with postscript demanding payment and threatening to sue. -- WYTHE, George. Clipped signature. An oblong. -- LEE, Richard Henry. AES (twice), Chantilly [Va.], 27 Oct. 1791. 1 p., 4to, endorsement on ALS of by William Augustine Washington, directing payment to son, Thomas Lee, "whose receipt for the same shall be as good as mine." Second endorsement on verso. -- JEFFERSON, Thomas. Printed DS as Sec. of State, N.Y., 23 Jan. 1792. 1 p., folio, fine. Act of Second Congress "to extend the time limited to settling the Accounts of the United States with th Individual states. Fine example. -- HARRISON, Benjamin. ALS to Colonel Davies, Virginia, 15 March 1782. An oblong. Requesting mounted trooper, "of good character...to attend Mr. Madison to Fort Pitt on public business." -- BRAXTON, Carter. Clipped signature, 23 Aug. 1784. An oblong. -- HOOPER, William. Forgery of clipped signature. -- HEWES, Joseph. Clipped signature from document, 30 May 1766, possibly by a namesake of the Signer. -- RUTLEDGE, Edward. ALS as Gov. of Virginia, to "Mr. President & Gentleman of the Senate," Va., 28 Nov. 1799. 1 p., folio, docketed "7th Decmr. to be considered in a committee of the whole house...debated & a Resolution found" with "14 Yeas/11 Nays.". Notification to Senate of receipt of Resolutions from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Kentucky, and two Acts. Fine example. -- HEYWARD, Thomas, Jr. Partly printed DS, Charleston, 12 Aug. 1788. 1 p., oblong folio, papered seal. Warrant to sheriff to arrest Thos. Bourke for debt. Fine. -- MIDDLETON, Arthur. DS to John Shays, S.C., 20 May 1782. An oblong, piece cut away at lower edge with loss of "A." in signature. Counter-signed by John Rutledge and David Ramsey; pay order for $200 on the State of S.C. -- GWINNETT, Button. Forgery of signature ("B.Gwinnett") on part of a document, n.p., n.d. An oblong. With inscription "Autograph genuine Lyman C. Draper, June 8 '89." -- WALTON, George. Autograph endorsement and signature, [Augusta, Ga.], 12 Jan. 1785. An oblong. Certifying record of Sheriff's fees. -- THOMSON, Charles, Sec. of Congress. LS to the Gov. of Connecticut, "Office of Secretary of Congress" [Phila.], 27 Oct. 1786. 1 full p., folio. A circular letter transmitting Act of 30 April 1784, recommending changes to "vest the powers...for the term of 15 years." Fine example. Together 53 items.