Auction Date:2012 Aug 15 @ 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
Partly-printed DS as president, signed “M. Van Buren,” one page, 20.75 x 16.5, October 30, 1839. Four language ship’s paper issued to “William H. Whitfield, master or commander of the Ship called John Howland …lying at present in the port of New Bedford bound for Pacific Ocean and laden with provisions, stores, and utensils for a whaling voyage.” Signed in the center by Van Buren and countersigned by Secretary of State John Forsythe. In very good condition, with a few partial separations along intersecting folds, one fold through a single letter of signature, old reinforcement to reverse of central vertical fold, a few edge chips, and scattered mild toning. The white wafer seal is intact.
Two years after receiving Van Buren’s authorization to sail, the John Howland rescued a young man who played an unrecognized part in the opening of Japan, a person who would later save the pride of the navy. Whitfield and his whaling ship had rescued five friends from a five-month exile on an uninhabited Japanese island after their fishing boat became wrecked. One of the men, 15-year-old Nakahama Manjiro, chose to stay with the ship and return to the United States, where he was eventually enrolled in a Fairhaven, Massachusetts school.
After sailing the world and traveling across America, Manjiro decided in 1851 to return to his homeland, even at the risk of his life, for the Exclusion Edict of 1638 decreed that ‘He shall be executed who went to a foreign country and later returned home.’ Immediately thrown into prison and questioned for months. Manjiro’s testimony fascinated officials, particularly his description of ships that moved swiftly over the sea without the assistance of wind or sail. In the end, he was released and served as a government advisor and official who helped create its modern navy. As fate would have it, Manjiro’s expertise on the high seas helped save the Japanese warship Kanrin Maru from a watery grave in 1860 as it sailed to the United States and encountered a typhoon. A unique presidential document with a link to one of Japan’s most honored residents. Oversized.
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
Previewing Details:
Visit www.RRAuction.com
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
20% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Up to $100 $10.00
$101-$500 $15.00
$501-$1,000 $20.00
$1,001-$3,000 $35.00
$3,000-$10,000 $45.00
Over $10,000 $100.00
Payment Details:
Paypal address: mandy@rrauction.com
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- Discover
- Money Order/Bank Draft
- Check/Cheque
- PayPal
A buyer's premium of 20% will be added to all winning bids. RR Auction prefers cash, check, or wire payments. For winning bids of $5,000 our less, clients may choose to pay via credit card or PayPal for an additional 2.5% convenience fee. You are obligated to honor any bid(s) you make, and you authorize us to charge your credit card for any unpaid winnings. Your bid is a contract. Placing a bid online means you agree to abide by the terms and conditions listed by RRAuction.
Payment methods accepted
Money Order, Cashier's Check, Personal Check, or Wire Transfer.
Payment for items won in auction 390 is due by Monday, August 27, unless prior arrangements have been made. Late payment may result in suspension of your bidding privileges. Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, or Discover are only accepted up to $5,000 without prior arrangement: please contact Mandy Eaton-Casey.
Further descriptions
Please feel free to call (603) 732-4280 or email (stacey.jordan@rrauction.com) us with any questions regarding items in our auction.