The First Lady of the Confederacy mourns the passing of a friend 1 7 0 . Va r i n a Davis. Wife of
Jefferson Davis (1826-1906). ALS signed “V. Jefferson Davis,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 3.75 x 6, July 11, 1897. Letter to Mrs. Fowler following the loss of her father. In part: “I have just learned the painful news which has plunged your house in mourning and brought grief to thousands who revered, trusted, and admired your dear father as I did. I fear there are few great men left like him for his statesmanship was the outcome of a purer state of public morals than that of this day.” In fine condition, with a central horizontal fold. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $200)
The Rhode Island Signer seeks clarification on issuing “sea letters and passports… under the signature of George Washington” after his term expires
The Pennsylvania Signer serves as president of his home state’s Academy of Fine Arts 172. Declaration of Independence: G e o r g e C l y m e r.
Signer of the Declaration of Independence; founder and president of the Bank of Philadelphia. Partly-printed DS, signed “Geo Clymer,” one page, 10.75 x 14.75, May 1, 1811. Document awarding one share in the property of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts to William Kanle, Jr. Signed at the conclusion by Clymer as president of the Academy and countersigned by the treasurer. In good to very good condition, with partial separations along intersecting folds, some light creasing and wrinkling, and light overall toning and foxing. Clymer’s signature is quite crisp and mostly unaffected by the flaws. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $200)
171. Declaration of Independence: William Ellery. Signer of
the Declaration of Independence from Rhode Island (1727–1820). ALS signed “Wm Ellery Coll,” one page, 6.25 x 8, February 27, 1797. Letter to District Attorney Ray Greene. In full: “Sea Letters and passports are signed by the President. Quere: Whether I can with propriety issue any of them under the signature of George Washington dated after the fourth of March; or, in other words, whether such documents ceased to be valid with his ceasing to be President. You are desired to answer this question as soon as possible.” Second integral page bears an address panel in another hand. In very good condition, with intersecting folds, several lightly passing through signature, scattered toning, and slight paper loss and pencil notations to reverse of second page. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $200)
173. Declaration of Independence: Charles Carroll of Carrollton. Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Mary-
land (1737–1832) who was the longest-lived among his colleagues. ADS, signed “Charles Carroll of Carrollton,” one page, 9 x 3, March 27, 1812. Tax payment reads, in full: “Cashier of the Farmers Bank of Maryland pay to Mr. R. Welch of Ben eight hundred and fifteen dollars fifty five cents being the amount of my taxes in A. A. County for the year 1811 and debit herewith the account of your humble servant.” Signed at the conclusion by Carroll and also endorsed on the reverse by Welch. Cancellation cut to body, repaired on the reverse to prevent further spreading, vertical folds and creases, uniform toning, small tear to top right, and mounting remnants to top corners on reverse, otherwise very good condition. Accompanied by a period engraving. The first full signature we have seen as most examples are signed “Ch. Carroll.” Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $200)
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