A VERY EARLY ‘LETTERS PATENT’ ISSUED FOR AN IMPROVEMENT IN “THE STEAM STILL” — USED IN 18/19TH CENTRY WHISKEY AND SPIRIT PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES
SIGNED BY A CHOICE GROUPING OF FOUNDING STATESMAN: JAMES MADISON, CAESAR RODNEY AND ROBERT SMITH
MADISON, JAMES. (1751-1836). Fourth President of the United States (1809-1817). Partly-printed Document Signed, “James Madison”, as President, and countersigned by ROBERT SMITH as Secretary of State. Additionally signed by CAESAR RODNEY, Attorney General of the United States. Madison’s and Smith signatures are dark and boldly penned. Rodney’s is light, but readable. A pink silk ribbon attaches the second page which describes the invention, and is affixed down the left side, to the large, ornate, white wafer Seal of State at mid-lower left. 2 1/2 full pages, tall folio vellum. [approximately 12 x 14 inches] Washington, D.C., February 19, 1811. Fine condition. The document reads in part:
“Whereas Samuel Bacon, a Citizen of the United States, hath alleged that he has invented a new and useful improvement in the Steam Still, which improvement he states has not been known or used before his application, has made and has stated that he does verify and believe that he is the true inventor or discoverer of said improvement, and has paid to the Treasury of the United States, the sum of thirty dollars, delivered a receipt for the same, and presented a petition to the Secretary of State, signifying a desire of obtaining an exclusive property in the said improvement, and praying that a patent may be granted for that Purpose. THESE ARE THEREFORE to grant, according to law, to the said Samuel Bacon, his heirs, administrators, or assigns, for the term of fourteen years…the full and exclusive right and liberty of making, constructing, using, and vending to others…in words…[a] schedule hereto annexed, and is part of these presents. In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made Patent, and under the Seal of the United States…hereunto affixed. Given by hand, at the City of Washington, this nineteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eleven, and of the independence of the United States of America, the thirty fifth. James Madison – by the President, R. Smith – Secretary of State”.
Under this, and in the lower left hand corner is printed:
“I DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That the foregoing Letters patent, were delivered unto me…[and] that I have examined the same, and find them conformable to law…”. Caesar Rodney, Attorney General of the United States”
The attached page-and-a-half statement contains a written description of the invention. It reads in part: “This invention consists in performing the operation of distilling in wooden or other vessels by the agency of heat produced by the Steam of Water passing from the Steam Boiler”…and is signed by Samuel Bacon at the conclusion of his description.
Any reference to the distilling of alcohol sprits from the early days of our nation’s establishment, as a country, are truly uncommon and in high demand. Couple this with a choice and rarely seen combination of 3 founding father’s signatures, and you have one choice piece!
$3950.00
