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1798 USS CONSTITUTION Receipt for Boards & planks building Frigate Constitution

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
1798 USS CONSTITUTION Receipt for Boards & planks building Frigate Constitution
Autographs
Historic Original 1798 Early “U.S.S. Constitution” Receipt for “... Boards, & planks furnished for building the United States Frigate Constitution...”
(U.S.S. CONSTITUTION - American Naval History). September 13, 1798-Dated Federal Period, Partially-Printed Issued Receipt Document Signed, “Jon(athon) Balch, Jun(ior),” Receipt of “Henry Jackson, Naval Agent for the United States at Boston,” Massachusetts, for the U.S.S. Constitution, Choice Extremely Fine. 
September 13, 1798-Dated Federal Period, Partially-Printed Issued Receipt Document Signed, “Jon(athon) Balch, Jun(ior),” being a receipt of “Henry Jackson, Naval Agent for the United States at Boston,” Massachusetts, for the U.S.S. Constitution, Choice Extremely Fine. This rare original Document is 1 page, measuring 5.25” x 7.25”, at Boston, Massachusetts, being a receipt for building materials for the refit of the U.S.S. Frigate Constitution. U.S.S. Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It was named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America, she is the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat. This historic American Naval Document reads, in full:

“Received of Henry Jackson, Naval Agent for the United States, At Boston, Eighty three Dolls twenty six cents in full for sundry boards & plank furnished for building of the United States Frigate Constitution per bill - for which I have signed triplicate Receipts of the same tenor and date. --- (Signed) Jon Balch Jun”.

The remarkable Document is dated just five days after the Constitution’s first naval engagement, September 8, 1798 against the British Privateer “Niger”. The USS Constitution was first deployed on July 22, 1798, as hostilities rose on the open sea between the fledgling United States and the world’s superpowers, Britain and France, which lead to the Quasi-War with France between 1798-1801.

An important Naval Document relating to the construction of the USS Constitution, mentioning some of the cannonball deflecting superior wooden “boards & planks” which would soon give this ship it’s celebrated nickname “Old Ironsides.” The black printed text is sharp and well printed, having rich vivid brown manuscript portions and signature. All four margins are full and complete, making this important piece of American history perfect for display.
The 44-Gun USS Constitution was one of six “Ironsides” authorized by Congress in 1794. It was designed by Joshua Humphreys, built in Edmund Hartt’s shipyard at Boston, and launched on October 21, 1797.

“Old Ironside’s” copper sheathing was made by Paul Revere, as well as forged the copper bolts and breasthooks. Its hull of hard oak timbers was bent into place, rather than steamed in the usual manner, making it an innovation in naval technology. The total cost for the frigate was $302,718.