Eric C. Caren is offering the good, bad, and the ugly of American History for the 250th Anniversary of the USA. Caren said, "This is American History RAW, and unvarnished".
![[American Revolution] Thomas Jefferson at the Birth of a New Nation: An Important Letter Carried by a Jewish Patriot Communicating the Definitive Treaty of Paris, Projecting American Stability, and Preparations for the Publication of His “Notes on the State of Virginia”, January 16, 1784 $100,000/200,000](https://www.rarebookhub.com/uploads/tiny_image/file/281/Jefferson_Letter.jpg)
Early items include Plymouth Colony's letter seeking a Royal Charter. Strangely, the Pilgrims landed there but never got an official charter for the Colony.
Another important early item is an enormous vellum petition to Queen Anne, 1709, requesting reimbursement from Britain for Queen Anne's Indian War expenditures. Reference is made to William Penn's Colony of "Pennsylvania" as well as the difficulties in fighting The French and their Indian allies. This elegant display piece is signed by a Who's Who of Colonial New York and is one of the finest early items relating to the great Metropolis ever to hit the auction block.
The period of The Declaration of Independence is well covered including Ebeneezer Hazard's copy of The Pennsylvania Magazine in extremely rare outer Wrappers, with one of the earliest printed mentions that the Colonies had declared Independence.
![[War of 1812] "We Have Met the Enemy and They are Ours": The Critical Promotion of a Naval Hero, Oliver Hazard Perry is Appointed Master Commandant in the United States Navy, Commission signed by James Madison, 1812 $40,000/60,000](https://www.rarebookhub.com/uploads/tiny_image/file/282/Oliver_Hazard_Perry_Commission.jpg)
Also, there is a prohibitively rare Pennsylvania Evening Post dated on the birthday of the country...July 4, 1776. It is in remarkable condition and 2 days later the same newspaper would print the Declaration itself, now a 7-figure item.
The highlight of the sale is Thomas Jefferson's "Birth of the Nation" ALS, which accompanied the Definitive Treaty of Paris to France. While this letter was known as an historical gem, Caren made the discovery that it was also "The Crowning Jewel of American Judaica". In the first line, Jefferson writes that the treaty is being carried by Colonel Franks. This was none other than Lt. Colonel David Salisbury Franks, a Jew! This first important diplomatic mission of the nation was entrusted to a Jewish American patriot!
The War of 1812 or The Second War of American Independence is represented by some extraordinary historical treasures including: two of Oliver Hazard Perry's Naval Commissions signed by Jefferson and Madison, respectively, two of the most important military commissions in private hands, a lengthy manuscript logbook of a British naval ship recording in real time the bombarding of Ft. McHenry. This is followed by another lot which is a very early printing of The Star Spangled Banner in September of 1814. Preceding these items there is a very rare Baltimore broadside extra on the British burning The Capitol. This broadside was printed a day before The DC National Intelligencer was able to get out a similar broadside.
![[Mormonism] A Unique Manuscript Account of Joseph Smith's Final Words Offered to His Congregation, the Day Before his Violent Death, Discovered on the Interior of a Postal Cover Nearly Discarded, 1844 $8,000/12,000](https://www.rarebookhub.com/uploads/tiny_image/file/283/Smith_Last_Words.jpg)
Some important Lincoln and Civil War items include the "On the Spot" Abe Lincoln entering the public arena report in his hometown Springfield newspaper, and, a very rare front-page report of the little known first Assassination Attempt on Lincoln on his way to his inauguration in 1861! Then there is a field printed General Orders #9 with the surrender of Robert E. Lee, printed at Appomattox.
This sale is has an impressive array of minority items beginning with the earliest known printed list of full names of Jews in any English Colony in America, 17th century Jamaica. A heartless Slave for sale broadside reading "Town Property and a Slave For Sale", an incredible postal cover inside which is written eyewitness testimony of the last words of The Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith. Amazing that this envelope was not thrown away! A lengthy 1797 attack printed right in Philadelphia on George Washington for being a Slave Owner, and items relating to myriad other minority groups including Catholics, Irish, Chinese, Japanese and other proud Americans.
The Centennial is represented by an incredibly rare, red, white, and blue silk broadside, printed on July 4, 1876, in Shanghai China.
![[Star-Spangled Banner] Eyewitness Account of the Shelling of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812, in a Manuscript Logbook from the HMS Trave, Present at the Battles of Baltimore and New Orleans, 1814-16 $60,000/80,000](https://www.rarebookhub.com/uploads/tiny_image/file/284/Star_Spangled_Banner.jpg)
Sports are not neglected either. The hands of Lou Gehrig Type 1 photo which perfectly intersects fine art photography with The National Game has never been seen before. And the previously unknown Mantle first Cover in his local Joplin newspaper should delight sports collectors.
The live sale will be held at Freeman's Philadelphia office on June 30.
Here are details relating to the four pictured lots in the order in which appear above:
-
[American Revolution] Thomas Jefferson at the Birth of a New Nation: An Important Letter Carried by a Jewish Patriot Communicating the Definitive Treaty of Paris, Projecting American Stability, and Preparations for the Publication of His “Notes on the State of Virginia”, January 16, 1784 $100,000/200,000
-
[War of 1812] "We Have Met the Enemy and They are Ours": The Critical Promotion of a Naval Hero, Oliver Hazard Perry is Appointed Master Commandant in the United States Navy, Commission signed by James Madison, 1812 $40,000/60,000
-
[Mormonism] A Unique Manuscript Account of Joseph Smith's Final Words Offered to His Congregation, the Day Before his Violent Death, Discovered on the Interior of a Postal Cover Nearly Discarded, 1844 $8,000/12,000
- [Star-Spangled Banner] Eyewitness Account of the Shelling of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812, in a Manuscript Logbook from the HMS Trave, Present at the Battles of Baltimore and New Orleans, 1814-16 $60,000/80,000
