JOHN HANCOCK ~ 1788
SIGNS A REGISTERY DOCUMENT FOR THE BRIGANTIN WILLIAM, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
HANCOCK, JOHN. (1737-1793). President of the Second Continental Congress and of the Congress of the Confederation, the first Governor of Massachusetts, and the first signer of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Partially Printed Document Boldly signed, “John Hancock,” as Governor, at left upper center of the document. Countersigned by John Avery, Junior, Secretary. One page, large tall folio. August 16, 1788. With paper wafer wax ‘Seal of Massachusetts’ affixed at top left. The document reads:
“Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In pursuance of an Act of this Commonwealth, made and passed in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-four, providing that all Vessels of Fifteen Tons and upwards, should be provided with Registers. Nathaniel West of Salem, the County of Essex and Commonwealth aforesaid maketh Oath that the Brigantine William whereof John Buffington is at present Master, being a square stern’d Vessel of the Burthen of Seventy Tons, or thereabouts, was built at Marshfield in P. Commonwealth, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-Four And that the Said Nathaniel West is the present Owner thereof….. Dated at Salem, the sixteenth Day of August in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty Eight and in the Thirteenth Year of the Independence of the United States of America. Attest. John Avery, Secretary. Sworn before and Recorded by Josi[ah] Batchelder, Jr, Naval Officer”.
There is an interesting back story behind this piece. The signature of Hancock was found pasted in an autograph album, tucked inside an 18th century trunk that was found in a Massachusetts colonial era home. Descendents of the same family owned this and several houses in the town for well over 300 years! Upon closer inspection, and a search/ rummage in the home’s attic, the remainder [90%+ estimate] of the document was found. — It was the custom of 18th and 19th century autograph collectors to just keep the signature, and not the full document of the personality they sought, so they often cut apart the letter or document to keep just the ‘autograph’. Thus, the popularity of the ‘autograph album’ we see today. The document has had restoration to re-attach Hancock’s signature, and put the newly found pieces into their original places. Period correct paper was added to blank/missing portions where needed. The document now displays wonderfully, and when framed, will be a superb display item. [Enlarge the scans to see the restoration, if you can!]. And for those of you who are skeptical about values, unlike many other items, you can take a document, cut it in half and then re-attach the halves with professional restoration, with almost no-effect on value. Hancock’s signature and the nature of the ship being a Salem Massachusetts vessel is the selling point here. Overall, it remains, a strong and distinctive piece that will not disappoint.
$5000.00