December 2017 Auction Ends Thursday, December 14th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2017
George Washington free franked envelope, signed and addressed in Washington's hand to Oliver Pollock of Philadelphia, with red wax seal. Postmarked ''ALEX[ANDRIA], JUNE 9'', with docketing on side panel identifying the year as 1788. Envelope likely held the following letter (not present; part of the Gilder Lehrman Collection), dated 8 June 1788 from Washington at Mount Vernon: ''Sir, I received your letter of the 11th of May at the moment when I was setting out for a preconcerted journey to meet the Directors of the Potomack Company on business of importance at the Shenandoah Falls- that circumstance has necessitated me to defer giving an acknowledgement until this time. It would be with particular pleasure that I should write to his Excellency the Governor of Louisiana on your behalf if I did not think that there would be a glaring impropriety in my assuming that liberty with that Representative of the Spanish King- especially as I have never had the honor of a personal acquaintance or any correspondence with the Governor - I do not feel myself authorised to take a greater latitude of freedom in this respect than any other unknown private citizen these motives of delicacy on my part I hope will be considered in the same point of light, and of the same weight by you as they have appeared to me. With sentiments of consideration & respect I am, Sir, Your Most Obed. & Most Hble, Servant, Go: Washington''. Signer of the U.S. Constitution, Oliver Pollock was a merchant in New Orleans during the Revolutionary War and then U.S. Agent at Havana, Cuba from 1783-1784. Envelope measures 9'' x 7.5''. Cut around seal where opened and small paper loss along folds, not affecting Washington's signature. Overall very good condition with a bold signature by the first President.
George Washington Free Franked Signature, with Envelope Addressed in Washington's Hand
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