LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Grand Format Autographs #629  / 

25978

1776 Revolutionary War Broadside Hopestill Capen

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
1776 Revolutionary War Broadside Hopestill Capen
<B>1776 Revolutionary War Broadside: Hopestill Capen's Personal Copy.</B></I> One sheet, 10" x 15.5", Boston, August 6, 1776. This was printed in August of 1776, for Hopestill Capen, a jailed Loyalist and owner of the site where the Union Oyster House exists in Boston. This example is his personal copy, adorned with copious manuscript notations including a diary of his imprisonment. In part, the printed portions of the broadside reads, "The following was written with an exception that I should have the Liberty to lay the fame before he Court of Enquiry, before whom I was impeached as an Enemy to my country and cast into prison (in Boston, 6th August 1776) but it has been said by some I was not rightly understood, and if opportunity be given to me to open my simple meaning to the Court, and I am restored to my just right of Liberty, cause of complaint will end; and if not, this will serve to inform all whom it may concern the Principles I acted upon and if I am to be confined in Prison for that I cannot in confidence do, it will be happy for me if I am indeed taught to suffer with patience." Capen wrote extensively around the margins about his imprisonment. "<I>I was liberated from prison twentieth of June on a fryday evening at 8 o'clock 1777 after suffering three hundred & 19 days…imprisonment in felons appartments all the time…July 1778 I was called on to abjune the King of England which I dare not in confidence do, for which I was again imprisoned to the day of noon following.</B></I>" On the back, Capen copied bible scriptures. An extremely rare Tory broadside in itself, but rendered a true "museum piece" by Capen's personal notations. It was likely published by Capen himself or his supporters, in his defense following his arrest. Very good condition overall.
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