Revolutionary War Manuscript Album
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APPRAISER:
Tom, you brought in this spectacular album of autograph letters and documents from the Revolutionary War, George Washington and his generals. It actually goes beyond that. You told me it…was from the collection of your grandmother?
GUEST:
Yeah, well, both grandparents, but I think my grandmother was the big collector. And where did she get it? Philadelphia. My assumption is at an auction in Philadelphia, probably 30 or 40 years ago.
APPRAISER:
What have you learned about it?
GUEST:
Not much, except for the fact that a number of the generals have beautiful handwriting, and I learned a little bit about what they did just from some of the documents. Not really a whole lot.
APPRAISER:
Let's look at the first one, which is appropriately enough the George Washington letter. What's interesting about these manuscripts is that they date from the Revolutionary War, and they're also about Revolutionary War topics. This was actually written by a secretary. That's not George Washington's hand, but the signature down there, "G. Washington," is definitely his.
GUEST:
Mm.
APPRAISER:
And this letter talks about giving passes to troops to go to Philadelphia and also laments the lack of paper and wax. I think he actually tells his correspondent this sheet of paper that he's writing on is virtually the last sheet of paper that they have in camp.
GUEST:
Hm.
APPRAISER:
But in addition to Washington, this is an interesting one, I think, perhaps to find in an album of the American Revolution with Washington and his generals. It's Benedict Arnold.
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
Much better known for his treason some three years after this letter was written. But here, he's trying to track down stolen supplies. And finally, this is the Henry Knox that I referred to-- the man who later became Washington's first… Secretary of War, who signed here.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
In addition to the American generals, Rochambeau, Lafayette and Baron von Steuben are all represented. So it's a wonderful array, and then it's in this gorgeous binding. These are George Washington's family arms on the front cover.
GUEST:
Oh!
APPRAISER:
Bound by Riviere, an English firm, who signed it here. The front inside cover doublure has this beautiful miniature painting of Washington. It's a little hard to evaluate so many letters in a brief time, but I have a sense of what it might bring at auction today. Do you?
GUEST:
Um… I'm sort of frightened to even know. (chuckles)
APPRAISER:
Well, I hope this doesn't frighten you too much. I would certainly not hesitate to estimate it at least $40,000 to $60,000. And the content of the letters-- the fact that they're from the Revolutionary War-- could drive the price even higher.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
So… your grandparents had good instincts.
GUEST:
Yes, they did.
APPRAISER:
And thanks for bringing it in.
GUEST:
My pleasure.
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