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Lot 241: Society of Cincinnati Document 1874

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
Lot  241: Society of Cincinnati Document 1874
<b>Autographs</b><hr><b>Society of Cincinnati Membership Document Signed
</b>

<b>(SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI).</b>
Partly printed Society of Cincinnati Membership Document Signed, 'Henry K. Thatcher' as President, and 'C.D. Homand' as Secretary, vellum, July 4, 1874, Boston, MA, 19.75' x 13.5', Choice Extremely Fine. The document states that 'William Torrey... is a Member of the Society of the Cincinnati, instituted by the Officers of the American Army at the Period of its Dissolution, as well to commemorate the great Event which gave Independence to North America, as for the laudable Purpose of inculcating the Duty of laying down in Peace Arms assumed for public Defence, and of uniting in Acts of brotherly Affection and Bonds of perpetual Friendship the Members constituting the same....' The document has been trimmed, and is lightly toned, with some adhesive show-through from verso from a previous mounting. The brown-inked signatures and dates are somewhat faded but legible. The document features detailed illustrations of an heraldic eagle at top, a naval battle scene at bottom, a trumpeting angel at right, and an armored knight at left trampling the British flag and chasing away a lion and Britannia herself. Document retains its original wax seal. Printed seal at left reads in Latin: 'Relinquish everything to serve the Republic'; the seal at right states that the Society of Cincinnati was established in 1783. The large vignettes create a sense of vibrancy. Very scarce!

Henry Knox created the Society, serving as its first secretary, and Washington served as its first president. It was named after Cincinnatus, a Roman general and statesman who was admired as a model of simplicity, ability, and republican virtue.