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GEORGE WASHINGTON and THOMAS JEFFERSON 2x Signed Three-Language Ship Document

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:28,000.00 - 36,000.00 USD
GEORGE WASHINGTON and THOMAS JEFFERSON 2x Signed Three-Language Ship Document
Autographs
Spectacular George Washington & Thomas Jefferson Double (Twice) Signed Three-Language Ships Document
GEORGE WASHINGTON & THOMAS JEFFERSON.
February 12, 1794-Dated Federal Period, Partially-Printed Document Signed, George Washington & Thomas Jefferson being Double Signed (once on each side), Three-Language Ship’s Document, Custom Framed, Choice Extremely Fine. This truly remarkable 1794 Ship’s Paper has been Signed “Twice” by both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. They have each Signed “Twice,” once on each side, George Washington as President, “Go: Washington” and “Th: Jefferson” as Secretary of State.

This most impressive Document is beautifully printed in deep black upon fresh, clean appearing quality laid period paper. Professionally and archivally custom framed so both sides of this document may be fully viewed under ultraviolet protected Plexiglas, to an overall size of 17.5 x 23.5 and ready for hanging upon display. It is upon one sheet that is printed on both sides, measuring 10” x 15.5” (folio), with such a strong press impression that significant Press Text Embossing remains within the paper, attesting to its originality. Dated on February 12th, 1794, this very rare Three Language Ship’s Paper actually has four columns of text, two on each side. One side includes the Dutch and English language, with English and French on the other (thus only Three different languages). This Document was issued to, and reads in part:

“Elijah Atwood, Master and Commander of the Sloop called Lark of the town Hadden… lying at present in the port of Charleston and bound for St. Croix and laden with Linens, Shoes… Raisins, Candles, Soap, Rice, Flour, Butter, Beef, Oznaburgs, Boards, Stores of Cheese that after this sloop has been visited and before sailing he shall make oath before the proper officer, that the said Sloop belongs to one or more of the citizens of the United States of America, the act whereof shall be put at the end of the presents; and likewise that he will keep and cause to be kept by his crew on board, the marine ordinances and regulations, and enter into the proper office a list signed and witnessed, containing the names and surnames, the places of birth, and the abode of the crew of this Sloop, and all who shall embark on board her.” Signed on each side, “Go: Washington,” and “Th: Jefferson.”

The overall condition is exceptional, having some typical intersecting folds, a couple of which lightly intersect both of Washington’s signatures. There are light circular areas of transfer tone from the red wax seal onto the opposing paper, again attesting to its originality and authenticity. Both sides nicely exhibit the official white paper and wax Heraldic American Eagle Seals of the United States, and the document retains much of its separate original red wax seal. This historic Document is astonishingly rare both for its multi-Signed format, and as an early variant Three Language Ship’s Paper which was endorsed four separate times, “Twice” each by President Washington and Secretary of State (and future president) Jefferson.

The Ships Paper itself provided proof of the nationality of the ship's owner if the vessel was stopped by a foreign power on the high seas. It is worth noting that this particular format was the first type used for official US Ship’s Papers and lasted less than one year, until the standard Four Language format was devised. An enormously important fact during this time period of a hostile France and England, as for which President George Washington had proclaimed United States neutrality. For autograph collectors this is a highly significant Double-Pairing of the early Presidential signatures and reigns as the highlight of this auction.