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Revolutionary War Bounty Lands Certificate for 160 Acres Issued in 1856

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:2,400.00 - 3,200.00 USD
Revolutionary War Bounty Lands Certificate for 160 Acres Issued in 1856
Post-Revolutionary War to Civil War
Handsome Revolutionary War "Bounty Lands" Certificate for "160 Acres" Issued in 1856 to the Widow of a Soldier
May 26, 1856-Dated. Partially-Printed Document. Act of March 3rd, 1855, “Bounty Land 160 Acres” Pension Certificate. Issued to the Widow of a Revolutionary War Private, Tied With Its Original 1857, Bridgeport, State of Connecticut, Embossed & Signed Official Registration, Both Documents Choice Very Fine or better.
Department of the Interior, Office of the Commissioner of Pensions, Official Certificate, measuring about 9" x 11.5", Printed in black ink with vivid blue overprint, dated June 29, 1852 granting “Bounty Land of 160 Acres” to, “Mary Wilcoxson, widow of Ephraim S. Wilcoxson - Private - Revolutionary War.”

Distributed by the Department of the Interior, these “Bounty Lands” were given to eligible officers and soldiers who had been been confirmed as having engaged in military service for the United States, beginning with the Revolutionary War. This is a beautifully designed, well-engraved form by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson Co., of New York. At the top is a wonderful vignette of the United States Capitol building as it appeared in 1855. In addition are General George Washington with sword left, and at the lower right an American Sailor with furled American Flag. Portraits of Secretary of the Navy John Dobbin and President Franklin Pierce. Uncancelled and boldly accomplished in rich brown pen. The blank reverse side has two written statements and an exceedingly rare original tied 1857, Bridgeport, State of Connecticut, Embossed & Signed Official Registration. The impressed Official Seal is at lower left and as nice as we have seen. A very bold example with crisp details and attractive black and orange printing.

The John J. Ford, Jr. Part VI Collection Sale of nearly a decade ago, contained few Bounty Land certificates. The majority were destroyed or redeemed making any located today extremely rare. Really an impressive and superb display piece. Premium quality for the series and an exceptional piece of Americana with relationships to several historical fields of interest. Exceedingly rare, only the second of this type we have handled and these are vastly undervalued. It is the very first and sole example having the State of Connecticut Registration attached. A great fit into a fiscal, historical or United States Federal Loan Certificate collection. A tremendous display piece and of great important context of the future of Government entitlements. (2 items).