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Revolutionary War

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Revolutionary War

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Auction Date:2015 Sep 16 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, 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
Revolutionary War–dated partly-printed DS, one page, 8.25 x 13.25, July 4, 1776. An appointment of “Henry Smith to be a Coroner in the County of Suffolk.” Accomplished in the hand of John Avery and signed by him at the conclusion, and signed in the left margin by James Bowdoin, Jeremiah Powell, Thomas Cushing, Richard Derby, Jr., John Whitcomb, Eldad Taylor, Samuel Holten, Moses Gill, John Taylor, B. White, William Phillips, Benjamin Austin, Henry Gardner, Daniel Davis, and Francis Dana. Also endorsed on the reverse by Samuel Holten and Richard Derby, Jr., certifying that Smith took his oath of office on July 26, 1776. Deputy Secretary John Avery made a specific point to cross out all royal references originally contained in the printed document, crossing out the reference to “George the Third” at the top and replacing it with “The Government and People of the Massachusetts Bay in New England,” and also altering the “Year of Our Reign” at the bottom to read “Year of Our Lord.” The official white paper seal affixed to the upper left remains fully intact. In very good condition, with professionally repaired separations to intersecting folds (passing through portions of the Avery and Taylor signatures).

A rare document from the day that the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, a defining moment in American history. Although the news did not reach Boston until July 9, officials had already begun to obliterate the printed references to royal authority until revised forms could be printed. In addition to the significant date and revised portions of this document another interesting feature is the embossed seal, which was designed by Paul Revere in 1775 to replace the seal used by the royal governor. Among the especially noteworthy signers of this document are James Bowdoin, who led the investigation into the Boston Massacre and was elected as the second governor of Massachusetts; Thomas Cushing, who was a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses; Moses Gill, an influential figure in business and politics; and Francis Dana, a signer of the Articles of Confederation.