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Lot 138: Richard Earl Howe Signed Document

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Lot  138: Richard Earl Howe Signed Document
<b>Autographs</b><hr><b>Document Signed By Admiral Richard Howe</b>

<b>RICHARD, EARL HOWE, Commander of the British Fleet in North America During the American Revolution; First Lord of the Admiralty.</b>
Partly-printed Document Signed, 'Howe,' as First Lord of the Admiralty, vellum, June 18, 1784, 11' x 13', Choice Fine. Confirming the appointment of Jacob Silver as a Lieutenant of H.M.S. Rodolphus. The embossed seal of the Admiralty is at upper left and a blue revenue stamp is at left center. Also signed by the other Commissioners of the Lord High Admiralty. Some soiling and toning; light show-through from docket and normal folds. Matted with an engraving of Howe and housed in a wooden frame to an overall size of 15' x 23'. Howe signed in brown ink, with some skips in the ink. A rare document signed by Howe.

Howe was one of BritainÕs most distinguished naval commanders. In 1755, he captured the French ship Alcide off the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, which marked the opening shot of the Seven Years War. During the American Revolution, he was British Commander of the Fleet in North America. He gave naval support to his brother, Sir William Howe, and took part in the capture of New York and in WashingtonÕs defeat off Long Island in August 1776. In 1782, he relieved the Siege of Gibraltar and became First Lord of the Admiralty (1783-88). Upon the outbreak of the French Revolution, he took command in the English Channel and won a resounding victory against the French fleet of Ushant in the battle of 'The Glorious First of June' 1794.