FREE VALUATION. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Francis Marion autograph that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).

Sell Your Francis Marion Autograph

Francis Marion (c. 1732 – February 27, 1795), also known as the Swamp Fox, was a military officer who served in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). Acting with the Continental Army and South Carolina militia commissions, he was a persistent adversary of the British in their occupation of South Carolina and Charleston in 1780 and 1781, even after the Continental Army was driven out of the state in the Battle of Camden. Marion used irregular methods of warfare and is considered one of the fathers of modern guerrilla warfare and maneuver warfare, and is credited in the lineage of the United States Army Special Forces, also known as the “Green Berets.”

Below is a recent realized price for a Francis Marion autograph. We at Nate D. Sanders Auctions can obtain up to this amount or more for you:

Francis Marion Autograph. Sold for nearly $50,000.

Consign your item at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Send a description and images of your item to us at [email protected].

Here is a Francis Marion autograph we have sold in the past:

Revolutionary War Brigadier General Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox”, Document Signed From 1781, the Day of the Black River Bridge Battle — With University Archives COA

Brigadier General Francis Marion document signed, dated 15 March 1781, the day of the battle of the Black River Bridge, where Marion’s men killed a dozen British soldiers under the command of Lt. Col. John Watson Tadwell-Watson. From “Camp Black river”, document reads, “Received of Arthur Cunningham six hundred [pounds?] for the use of the troops under the Command of BDG Marion”, under which Marion signs, “Certified Francis Marion”, with his distinctive paraph accentuating the signature. Nicknamed the “Swamp Fox”, Marion’s tactics of war not only earned him the distinction of a father of modern guerilla warfare, but also led to the creation of the U.S. Army Rangers. The character of Mel Gibson in “The Patriot” was also largely based on Marion. Document measures approximately 7″ x 3.25″, signed by Cunningham on verso in May 1783, likely when he was reimbursed. Irregular edges and folds, and affixed at top edge to the interior of the book, “The Life of Francis Marion”. Very good plus condition. A very rare Francis Marion signed Revolutionary War document, on the date of one of his battles. With University Archives COA. Sold for $8,925.

The following are some other historical documents we have sold:

”JOIN, or DIE” Newspaper From Benjamin Franklin’s ”Pennsylvania Gazette” in 1754 — The Most Influential Political Cartoon in America’s History & Only Known Copy Apart From the Library of Congress

The most influential political cartoon in the history of America, the ”JOIN, or DIE” severed rattlesnake designed by Benjamin Franklin and published in his ”Pennsylvania Gazette” on 9 May 1754. This incredibly scarce newspaper is the very first printing of the ”JOIN, or DIE” cartoon, and the only known copy apart from one other housed in the permanent collection at the Library of Congress.

Frustrated by the colonists’ inability to join forces against westward expansion by the French, Franklin created this cartoon of a rattlesnake, cut into 8 pieces symbolizing the American colonies, to dramatically impart the effective message: join together as one cohesive body, or die. Along with the cartoon, Franklin published an editorial in the newspaper, urging the colonists to work together, reading in part, ”…The Confidence of the French in this Undertaking seems well-grounded on the present disunited State of the British Colonies…while our Enemies have the very great Advantage of being under one Direction, with one Council, and one Purse…”

Little did Franklin know at the time that his symbol of the dis-united rattlesnake would echo over twenty years later to inspire the colonists to unite against the British – Paul Revere added the ”JOIN, or DIE” cartoon to the nameplate of his paper, the ”Massachusetts Spy”, and even later, with the ”Don’t Tread on Me” flag, any individual or group whose personal liberty is threatened. The phrasing has also proved highly enduring, likely influencing John Stark, the Revolutionary War General from New Hampshire whose toast, ”Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils”, inspired New Hampshire’s motto, and again suggests that personal liberty is one of the highest human values, and a founding tenet of the United States.

Franklin’s choice of a rattlesnake is curious for several reasons: as the timber rattlesnake was found throughout the colonies but not England, Franklin argued in an earlier 1751 editorial that the colonists should ship rattlesnakes to England in exchange for the criminals that England was sending to America. Franklin now, however, seems to fully embrace the rattlesnake as metaphor, and would argue, during the American Revolution, its virtues. Using a pseudonym to conceal his identity, he wrote in 1775, ”…she has no eye-lids-She may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance.-She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders…to those who are unacquainted with her, she appears to be a most defenseless animal; and even when those weapons are shown and extended for her defense, they appear weak and contemptible; but their wounds however small, are decisive and fatal:-Conscious of this, she never wounds till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of stepping on her.-Was I wrong, Sir, in thinking this a strong picture of the temper and conduct of America?”

While the British loyalists played upon Franklin’s symbolism of the rattlesnake, arguing that the colonists were deceptive and cunning, Franklin turned the characterization on its head, skilled and interested as he was in the art of propaganda. Ultimately, the symbolism would prove highly enduring and compelling: both the idea of uniting to fight a greater, more powerful enemy, and the power of a sudden, deadly attack by an underestimated opponent.

Four page newspaper (without advertising) measures 9.75” x approximately 15”, with an irregularly trimmed top edge. Expert restoration to head of snake, and light uniform toning, consistent with age. Newspaper has been well-preserved, in very good to near fine condition. One of the most important newspapers in America’s colonial history and a cornerstone of her philosophical underpinnings. Sold for $50,000.

Auction your Francis Marion autograph at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Send a description and images of your Francis Marion autograph to us at [email protected].

Scarce 1775 Receipt Signed by Paul Revere for His Horseback Ride From Boston to New York — One of Only Two Revere Signed Receipts Regarding His Rides on Behalf of the Colonists to Appear at Auction

Very scarce receipt signed by Paul Revere regarding one of his famous horseback rides, dated 15 February 1775 just two months before his Midnight Ride warning colonists that ”The British Are Coming” before the Battle of Lexington & Concord. As official courier for the Boston Committee of Public Safety, Revere was tasked with riding from Boston to Philadelphia and New York, with historians documenting 18 such rides from December 1773 to November 1775. This was likely the last of the rides before the Revolutionary War began, and is only one of two receipts for the rides ever to appear at auction, with the other selling at Christie’s for $140,000 in 2002. Composed entirely in the hand of Revere, receipt documents expenses ”from Boston to N. York” in the amount of 4 pounds, 3 shillings, and additional expenses for his Horse, and his time, all totaling 13 pounds, 19 shillings. Dated 15 February 1775 by Revere. Document measures 7.5” x 2.25”, framed with an engraving of Revere on horseback to a size of 15.75” x 18”. Uneven edges, clean vertical separation and light chipping at lower left edge. Overall very good plus condition with legible and strong handwriting. With Profiles in History COA. Sold for $36,603.

Consign your Francis Marion autograph at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Send a description and images of your Francis Marion autograph to us at [email protected].

Benjamin Franklin Signed Land Grant for Revolutionary War Veteran — From 1787 One Month Before Franklin Attended the Constitutional Convention

Benjamin Franklin land grant signed in Philadelphia on 27 April 1787, just one month before the start of the Constitutional Convention held in that city. Franklin served as President of Philadelphia’s Executive Council and signs ”B. Franklin” in that capacity, granting Private William Williams land in exchange for his service in the Revolutionary War. Document measures 15” x 12.5”, beautifully matted and framed to 40” x 23”. Weighs 14 lbs. Folds, toning and light staining throughout. Very good condition. Sold for $15,125.

Auction your Francis Marion autograph at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Send a description and images of your Francis Marion autograph to us at [email protected].

John Hancock Revolutionary War Military Appointment Signed in 1776 — Hancock Appoints an Ensign to the Regiment of Colonel John Stark, “The Hero of Bennington”

John Hancock military document signed from 1776, as President of the Continental Congress, appointing an Ensign to the 1st New Hampshire Regiment, headed by Colonel John Stark. At the Revolutionary War Battle of Bennington, Stark rallied over 1,400 untrained militiamen, without uniforms and using their personal firearms, to thwart a British raid on Bennington, Vermont, famously telling his troops, “We’ll beat them before night or Molly Stark’s a widow!” Dubbed “The Hero of Bennington” and promoted to General, Stark also proved himself at Bunker Hill, Trenton, Princeton and the Siege of Boston.

John Hancock’s large, eloquent signature is on full display here, with his characteristic paraph below. Dated 8 November 1776, document is countersigned by Charles Thomson as Secretary of the Continental Congress. Measures 12″ x 8.25″. Reinforced with paper on verso. Some separation along folds, with folds touching the ends of Hancock’s signature. Overall very good condition given age, and with a bold, attractive signature by Hancock. Sold for $9,375.

Consign your Francis Marion autograph at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Send a description and images of your Francis Marion autograph to us at [email protected].

Richard Henry Lee Long 1779 Revolutionary War Dated Autograph Letter Signed to Patrick Henry — Detailing How the British Were Unwilling to Exchange Prisoners of War With the Americans

Long autograph letter signed by Richard Henry Lee, as Chair of the Marine Committee of Continental Congress, to Governor Patrick Henry of Virginia concerning Governor Henry’s interest in the exchange of naval prisoners. Retained draft is datelined Philadelphia, 3 March 1779. Lee explains how the congressional committee distinguishes between state and Continental prisoners, and how the British negotiate for each, adding that ”no cartel has ever been, or could be settled with the enemy for American prisoners in G.B., they being unwilling there to recognize us in such a light…and therefore these exchanges have been confined to prisoners in America only.” Given the enormous number of American prisoners of war who were dying in British prison ships, exchanges were a matter of great urgency, but were only rarely completed. Large single page letter measures 8” x 12.75”. Moderate dampstaining, paper repairs to separations at folds, verso reinforcement on bottom right of letter, two small ink burn holes, and numerous cross-outs and emendations. Very good condition. Published in Letters of Delegates to Congress, 12:142-3. Provenance: Freeman’s sale, 16 April 1928, lot 167.
Sold for $7,199.

Auction your Francis Marion autograph at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Send a description and images of your Francis Marion autograph to us at [email protected].

1781 Military Orders by British Officer Nisbet Balfour — Mentioning South Carolina Guerrilla Leader Francis Marion — “…be on guard against the enemy…in case Marion keeps retreating…”

Nisbet Balfour autograph military orders signed as Lieutenant Colonel for the King’s Army against the American colonies in the Revolutionary War. Datelined Charlestown, 20 March 1781, orders read in part, “…Detach all the men of the King’s American Regiment that are fit to march across the lower ferry on Santee. Captain Gray will remain at Georgetown and take the command when leave it, marching from the Santee up the river road, be on guard against the enemy. We have been extremely unlucky at having letters taken, do not send out a Flag of Truce by an officer, suspecting the treachery of the enemy in seizing any sent out since Postell’s Affair, how you will get the letter to the enemy I don’t know except by some prisoner of war or by a Drummer of the party. Col. Watson may be of service in case Marion keeps retreating, etc…N. Balfour”. Runs 4pp. on a single sheet of card-style stationery, measuring 7.5″ x 9.5″. Foxing, toning, creasing, minor separation at fold intersections, else near fine. Written entirely in Balfour’s hand, and quite scarce. Sold for $1,760.

Consign your Francis Marion autograph at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Send a description and images of your Francis Marion autograph to us at [email protected].

African American Soldier’s Pay Record — Dated 1782 for Service in the Revolutionary War

Rare Revolutionary War pay document for an African American soldier, Private Nero Cross. Cross served in the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army, in Colonel Swift’s 4th and 6th Regiments and is here paid by the Connecticut State Treasury Office. John Lawrence signs as Treasurer. Partially-printed document is dated 1 June 1782 and measures 8” x 3.75”. Left edge is irregularly trimmed, and a perfect quarter-sized circle has been cut out at center left. Some handwritten notations on verso regarding debts and interest paid. Separation stating along center fold, overall very good condition for its age, fully intact. Sold for $566.

FREE VALUATION. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Francis Marion autograph that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).

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