LOT RR Auction  /  RR Auction Quality Autograph Auction 384 and Civ...  / 

140

Benedict Arnold

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
Benedict Arnold

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2012 Mar 14 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS signed “Your Loving Husband, Bened’t Arnold,” one page, 8 x 12.75, January 21, 1774. Letter to his wife Margaret Mansfield Arnold. In full: “Inclosed is Capt. Sages Receit for Ten joammes & Ten barrels which he is to Sell in the Turks Island & remit you the proceeds which I expect will be Joammes more, this is all I could probably send you at Present, I hope that people I owe will not rest easy untill I return. If not, you must get Mr Chauncy to put off Matters until I return, when they may all depend on being immediately paid.

So few days since heard of the death of Mr. Babisch & Polly Austin, which surprised me much they were in the prime of their Life & as likely to live as any of us, how uncertain is Life, how certain is Death, may, I hear loud & afflicting calls, awakening us to prepare for Our Own Exit, whenever it shall Happen—My Dear Life Pray by no means Neglect the Education of Our Dear Boys, it is of Infinite Concern what Habbits & principles they imbibe when young—I hope this will find you all well, & that, the Almighty may preserve you in health & Happiness is the Sincere Prayer of Dr. Peggy.” Reverse of letter bears an address panel in an unknown hand. Reverse has also been professionally silked.

Aforementioned silking, intersecting folds, lightly trimmed edges,and several seal-related tears (slightly affecting several words of text) repaired on the reverse, otherwise very good condition. Item comes in its original dealer folder from The American Art Association, stating the letter comes from the Collection of Rev. Dr. Roderick Terry, Catalogue Number 10.

Arnold established a drug and book store in New Haven, Connecticut in 1774, soon expanding his business interests to shipping goods to Canada and the West Indies, including Turks Island, a Bahamian slave trade center. Local businessman Charles Chauncey with whom the merchant conducted business once wrote of Arnold, ‘There are few or new men here that are thought more sufficient at present, as he has had great luck at sea of late.’ The entrepreneur also partnered with friends Adam Babcock and Captain Comfort Sage, wealthy merchants who also traded with the West Indies. In April 1775, Sage and his "Troop of the Light Horse" answered the Lexington alarm while Arnold marched to the Boston Siege. Ironically, the two friends became military opponents when Arnold sold out to the British, but Sage, appointed Brigadier General of the Connecticut militia, hid the traitor's children to protect them from an angry Middletown, Connecticut mob that torched an effigy of Arnold when his treachery was revealed. The once patriot and successful entrepreneur died a penniless, broken and bitter man, "bought by British gold." A highly desirable letter with pre-war association between two men who became Continental Army generals serving General Washington — one who stood by him and one who betrayed him.
Sign In to Bookmark Lot