Treasures in History

Coming soon to an auction or a sale from our website are these amazing documents from American history. We welcome your offers. Here is a preview of just some of the documents ...

Earliest drawing by George Washington.

Doylestown PA. -A detailed ink drawing of a clipper ship signed by George Washington has been discovered by Tom Lingenfelter of the Heritage Collectors' Society. One of America's most successful history detectives, who recently revealed what is now known to be the only True Copy of the Original Declaration of Independence, Lingenfelter has now unearthed a schoolboy drawing signed by a 10-year-old Washington who would later become the first president of the United States and is referred to as the "Father of Our Country."

The wonderfully preserved drawing is signed "March 12th, 1742, Geo. Washington." And like the image of the ship above it, the signature displays a careful and deliberate self-consciousness. While clearly revealing hints of the grace that, years later, would characterize Washington's mature autograph it is a fascinating item direct from the juvenile pen of one of America's most important historic icons.

Measuring approximately 5" by 7", the drawing and accompanying signature and date can be described as a clumsy, self-conscious but well-observed depiction of a two-masted sailing vessel. At 10 years of age, Washington, even without any real knowledge of rigging or sail mechanics, had a keen sense of detail. This is clearly demonstrated in the difficult compound curves in the image such as those in the lateen foresail. Drawn with sepia ink on laid paper, this is the earliest known drawing by Washington prior to his training at age 14 and subsequent work as a land surveyor. It is now the oldest known example of his penmanship. It was most likely produced as part of his schoolwork, a practice common in the 1700s and contains many similarities to his later school copy books now housed in the National Archives.

Washington's childhood home of Ferry Farm in the state of Virginia overlooked the Rappahannock River. Originally called Home Farm, it was renamed Ferry Farm due to the large number of townspeople who crossed the river by ferry from that point to get to the town of Fredericksburg. The Washingtons did not own or operate the ferry but used it frequently to get to and from town. Young George, with his family, moved to the area at the age of six, thus beginning his familiarity with sailing vessels. He was exposed to these sailing images on a daily basis, which clearly explains his detailed visual knowledge of ship construction. He wanted to join the British Navy at age 16 but his mother would not allow it. Four years later he would join the Virginia militia.

Lingenfelter has had this document subjected to a thorough physical and chemical forensic examination. The lifetime historian and collector learned his "trade" as a Special Agent for USA Counter-intelligence and as one of this country's most successful "history detectives" for the past 35 years. He is President of the Heritage Collectors' Society, Inc., Doylestown, Pa. 18901.

1736 Roster of Benjamin Franklin's First Fire Company

Lingenfelter has uncovered a document significant to both Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the nation - an original, handwritten, manuscript featuring the complete list of members of the nation's first volunteer fire company, The Union.

The Union Fire Company was the first volunteer fire company in Philadelphia and more importantly, the first formed in the United States. Founded in 1736 by Benjamin Franklin, members were required to keep and maintain their own buckets and linen salvage bags to help douse flames and carry away the personal items of those exposed to the ravages of fire.

Each member was further required to make and keep two lists of the names of each member of the company. One list was to remain posted by his bags and buckets; the other was to be carried and presented at all fire company meetings. This list was one of two lists belonging to Joseph Paschall, a member of Philadelphia's Common Council.

At the time this list was made, Paschall was serving as the Union's clerk. The job of clerk rotated monthly between members, as did the position of names on the list. Since Paschall's name headed this list, he was the current clerk of the company. It most certainly was the list he carried with him as is evidenced by the folds in the paper. A lack of holes indicates that it had never been posted. Additionally, the list matches the sequence of members recorded in the manuscript minute book of the Union Fire Company now in possession of the Library Company of Philadelphia signifying that Paschal was the Company's first clerk.

The Union's membership featured some of the most prominent Philadelphians of the era. Most notably on this list is Benjamin Franklin, celebrated printer, scientist, entrepreneur and statesman. Other names include: Richard Sewell, Sheriff of Philadelphia; Edward Roberts, Mayor; Edward Shippen, Judge; Philip Syng, Silversmith and Official; Samuel Powel, Jr., Merchant; George Emlen, Brewer; Charles Willing, Official; Hugh Roberts, Hospital Director; Joseph Turner, Sea Captain and Merchant.

Small "X's" are marked before and after each name. "X's" on the right of each name are in the same ink as the document. "X's" before each name are in pencil. Paschall's name is the only one not marked with an a pencil "X." Research has uncovered no other surviving example of a similar list either in private or public hands. This fine and exceedingly rare document appears to be the only remaining Union Fire Company roster in existence.

Rarest signer of Declaration of Independence, Thomas Lynch 1776 Letter

The year of 1776 was a monumental one for both Thomas Lynch, Jr. and the United States of America. It was the birth of a nation and a life changing time for future Declaration signer, Thomas Lynch Jr.

For those who collect autographs of Declaration signers, Thomas Lynch, Jr. is the most difficult to find. In the last century, only three Lynch signed documents have been available.

Thomas Lynch, Jr. was released from the South Carolina militia so that he could replace his ailing father in the Continental Congress. For a short time, the two would become the only father-son to serve in the Continental Congress. Lynch, Sr. would be unable to sign the Declaration of Independence due to illness.

Thomas Lynch, Jr. would become the second-youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. While Lynch's signature on the Declaration is his most famous, it is even more significant as one of 14 known documents signed by Lynch still in existence today. While most of the Declaration signers were lawyers and clerks, Lynch, a planter by trade, didn't generate much paperwork . Three years later, he and his wife would be lost at sea, thus, not many examples of his signature exist.

This extremely rare letter is the only letter, written and signed by Thomas Lynch, Jr., available to the public. Its significance is even more astounding because it includes the date of 1776 and mentions his father.

Not even Lynch's home state of South Carolina owns a Lynch autograph. The state previously owned two Lynch signatures, both on receipts, which were sold in 1929 to fund South Carolina's archives.

Lynch's autograph is more rare than that of Button Gwinnett. While many consider Gwinnett's signature to be the rarest among the 56 signers, there are, in fact, 47 known examples of Gwinnett signed letters/documents while there are only 14 of Lynch, making Lynch documents much more rare. In 2010, the erroneous belief that Gwinnett's signature is the rarest led to a Gwinnett sale at Sotheby's for $722,500. It is expected that a scarce Lynch signed letter should fetch a much higher price.