WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Engraved document signed ("G:Washington") also signed by Henry Knox, Secretary of the Society of Cincinnati, Mount Vernon, 24 May 1784. 1 page, a large oblong, 360 x 510mm. (14 3/4 x 191/2 in.). Engraved document PRINTED ON PARCHMENT, elaborately engraved by Jean-Jacques Andre Le Veau (1729-1786) after an original design of Pierre Charles L'Enfant (1754-1825) as drawn by Augustin-Louis La Belle (1757-1841), with large vignettes surrounding the calligraphic text: an American eagle flanked by clouds at top, in the lower left section, an armed man holding an American flag and a flying eagle drive Britannia and her lion into the sea, while the Union Jack lies trampled on the ground; in the right foreground are a fleet of warships under full sail and an angel blowing a trumpet trailing a banner; two circular medallion devices bearing the Society's mottos are incorporated at left and right, accomplished in manuscript, some portions of the vignettes partially handcolored, mounted on board, ink very skilfully strengthened in a few places in accomplishments and signatures, minor stains to lower portion. A membership certificate in the Society granted to Jonathan Holmes.The Society, open to all who had served in the Continental Army and its foreign allies, was founded in 1783 by Knox, Jedidiah Huntington and Baron Von Steuben, with Washington's approval. Surviving certificates are rarely found in good condition; many were framed at an early date and others were folded and severely creased. The vellum did not accept ink from a quill pen well and the faint accomplishments and signatures have in numerous instances been retouched or strengthened.

WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Engraved document signed ("G:Washington") also signed by Henry Knox, Secretary of the Society of Cincinnati, Mount Vernon, 24 May 1784. 1 page, a large oblong, 360 x 510mm. (14 3/4 x 191/2 in.). Engraved document PRINTED ON PARCHMENT, elaborately engraved by Jean-Jacques Andre Le Veau (1729-1786) after an original design of Pierre Charles L'Enfant (1754-1825) as drawn by Augustin-Louis La Belle (1757-1841), with large vignettes surrounding the calligraphic text: an American eagle flanked by clouds at top, in the lower left section, an armed man holding an American flag and a flying eagle drive Britannia and her lion into the sea, while the Union Jack lies trampled on the ground; in the right foreground are a fleet of warships under full sail and an angel blowing a trumpet trailing a banner; two circular medallion devices bearing the Society's mottos are incorporated at left and right, accomplished in manuscript, some portions of the vignettes partially handcolored, mounted on board, ink very skilfully strengthened in a few places in accomplishments and signatures, minor stains to lower portion. A membership certificate in the Society granted to Jonathan Holmes. The Society, open to all who had served in the Continental Army and its foreign allies, was founded in 1783 by Knox, Jedidiah Huntington and Baron Von Steuben, with Washington's approval. Surviving certificates are rarely found in good condition; many were framed at an early date and others were folded and severely creased. The vellum did not accept ink from a quill pen well and the faint accomplishments and signatures have in numerous instances been retouched or strengthened.

Details

WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Engraved document signed ("G:Washington") also signed by Henry Knox, Secretary of the Society of Cincinnati, Mount Vernon, 24 May 1784. 1 page, a large oblong, 360 x 510mm. (14 3/4 x 191/2 in.). Engraved document PRINTED ON PARCHMENT, elaborately engraved by Jean-Jacques Andre Le Veau (1729-1786) after an original design of Pierre Charles L'Enfant (1754-1825) as drawn by Augustin-Louis La Belle (1757-1841), with large vignettes surrounding the calligraphic text: an American eagle flanked by clouds at top, in the lower left section, an armed man holding an American flag and a flying eagle drive Britannia and her lion into the sea, while the Union Jack lies trampled on the ground; in the right foreground are a fleet of warships under full sail and an angel blowing a trumpet trailing a banner; two circular medallion devices bearing the Society's mottos are incorporated at left and right, accomplished in manuscript, some portions of the vignettes partially handcolored, mounted on board, ink very skilfully strengthened in a few places in accomplishments and signatures, minor stains to lower portion. A membership certificate in the Society granted to Jonathan Holmes.

The Society, open to all who had served in the Continental Army and its foreign allies, was founded in 1783 by Knox, Jedidiah Huntington and Baron Von Steuben, with Washington's approval. Surviving certificates are rarely found in good condition; many were framed at an early date and others were folded and severely creased. The vellum did not accept ink from a quill pen well and the faint accomplishments and signatures have in numerous instances been retouched or strengthened.