{"product_id":"george-clymer-philadelphia-bank-20-note-may-9-1814-possible-manuscript-signature-of-declaration-constitution-signer-exceptional-research-opportunity","title":"George Clymer Philadelphia Bank $20 Note – May 9, 1814 – Possible Manuscript Signature of Declaration \u0026 Constitution Signer – Exceptional Research Opportunity","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"166\" data-end=\"259\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"166\" data-end=\"191\"\u003eThe Philadelphia Bank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"191\" data-end=\"194\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"194\" data-end=\"227\"\u003eTwenty Dollar Promissory Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"227\" data-end=\"230\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"230\" data-end=\"259\"\u003ePhiladelphia, May 9, 1814\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"261\" data-end=\"496\"\u003eAn exceptionally important and intriguing early American banknote issued by \u003cstrong data-start=\"337\" data-end=\"362\"\u003eThe Philadelphia Bank\u003c\/strong\u003e, payable to bearer on demand for \u003cstrong data-start=\"396\" data-end=\"414\"\u003eTwenty Dollars\u003c\/strong\u003e, dated \u003cstrong data-start=\"422\" data-end=\"437\"\u003eMay 9, 1814\u003c\/strong\u003e, and bearing the signature \u003cstrong data-start=\"465\" data-end=\"482\"\u003e\"Geo. Clymer\"\u003c\/strong\u003e as President.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"498\" data-end=\"801\"\u003eGeorge Clymer (1739–1813) occupies a unique place in American history as one of only \u003cstrong data-start=\"583\" data-end=\"607\"\u003esix Founding Fathers\u003c\/strong\u003e to sign both the \u003cstrong data-start=\"625\" data-end=\"656\"\u003eDeclaration of Independence\u003c\/strong\u003e and the \u003cstrong data-start=\"665\" data-end=\"695\"\u003eUnited States Constitution\u003c\/strong\u003e. He served as the first President of The Philadelphia Bank from 1803 until his death on January 23, 1813.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"17nj9t9\" data-start=\"914\" data-end=\"938\"\u003eResearch Observations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"940\" data-end=\"1096\"\u003eDetailed examination of this note and comparison with other surviving \u003cstrong data-start=\"1010\" data-end=\"1050\"\u003eMay 1814 Philadelphia Bank $20 notes\u003c\/strong\u003e has produced several noteworthy observations:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1098\" data-end=\"1955\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"15lht2n\" data-start=\"1098\" data-end=\"1234\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-start=\"1104\" data-end=\"1161\"\u003eGeorge Clymer signature occupies a different position\u003c\/strong\u003e on each examined example rather than appearing in an identical location.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"myfs9b\" data-start=\"1235\" data-end=\"1328\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-start=\"1241\" data-end=\"1309\"\u003ecashier's signature (\"J. Campbell\") likewise varies in placement\u003c\/strong\u003e from note to note.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"dmpcco\" data-start=\"1329\" data-end=\"1535\"\u003ePreliminary comparison suggests \u003cstrong data-start=\"1363\" data-end=\"1432\"\u003estructural differences in the letterforms and terminal flourishes\u003c\/strong\u003e of the Clymer signatures rather than exact duplication expected from a single engraved printing plate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"h5w8gh\" data-start=\"1536\" data-end=\"1808\"\u003eMagnified examination of this note indicates characteristics consistent with \u003cstrong data-start=\"1615\" data-end=\"1644\"\u003epen-applied iron-gall ink\u003c\/strong\u003e, including variable line width, ink pooling at changes of direction, natural feathering into the paper fibers, and uneven ink penetration visible from the reverse.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1pwysu9\" data-start=\"1809\" data-end=\"1955\"\u003eThe reverse of the note shows ink strike-through consistent with writing applied directly to the paper rather than a uniform printed impression.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1957\" data-end=\"2124\"\u003eTaken together, these observations indicate that the signatures were \u003cstrong data-start=\"2039\" data-end=\"2071\"\u003eapplied individually by hand\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than engraved as part of the banknote design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"ery58m\" data-start=\"2126\" data-end=\"2147\"\u003eHistorical Context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2149\" data-end=\"2265\"\u003eThe apparent contradiction is that this note is dated \u003cstrong data-start=\"2203\" data-end=\"2218\"\u003eMay 9, 1814\u003c\/strong\u003e, more than a year after George Clymer's death.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2267\" data-end=\"2718\"\u003eOne plausible explanation is that The Philadelphia Bank maintained a supply of \u003cstrong data-start=\"2346\" data-end=\"2379\"\u003epreviously signed blank notes\u003c\/strong\u003e, completing them with dates, serial numbers, and payees as they were issued. This practice was employed by a number of early nineteenth-century banks to facilitate circulation. \u003cstrong data-start=\"2557\" data-end=\"2718\"\u003eBy June 1st the new President signed these notes.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"vy87ap\" data-start=\"2935\" data-end=\"2948\"\u003eImportance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2950\" data-end=\"3182\"\u003eThis remains an attractive \u003cstrong data-start=\"3070\" data-end=\"3112\"\u003eWar of 1812-era Philadelphia Bank note\u003c\/strong\u003e associated with one of America's most distinguished Founding Fathers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3184\" data-end=\"3445\"\u003eIf future research confirms that these notes were issued from \u003cstrong data-start=\"3249\" data-end=\"3325\"\u003epre-signed blanks bearing George Clymer's authentic manuscript signature\u003c\/strong\u003e, this example would represent one of the most important and desirable surviving forms of Clymer's autograph, combining:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"3447\" data-end=\"3645\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1v9a8cc\" data-start=\"3447\" data-end=\"3519\"\u003eA signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1bbd7kn\" data-start=\"3520\" data-end=\"3557\"\u003ePresident of The Philadelphia Bank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1pehela\" data-start=\"3558\" data-end=\"3590\"\u003eOriginal circulating banknote.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"4qzozu\" data-start=\"3591\" data-end=\"3623\"\u003eWar of 1812 financial history.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"u99o55\" data-start=\"3624\" data-end=\"3645\"\u003eExceptional rarity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"rmw5tv\" data-start=\"3647\" data-end=\"3661\"\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"3663\" data-end=\"3947\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1x7qlmo\" data-start=\"3663\" data-end=\"3700\"\u003eOriginal Philadelphia Bank $20 note\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"11ux3gp\" data-start=\"3701\" data-end=\"3732\"\u003ePhiladelphia, \u003cstrong data-start=\"3717\" data-end=\"3732\"\u003eMay 9, 1814\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1wj16no\" data-start=\"3733\" data-end=\"3762\"\u003ePayable to bearer on demand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1e5t95r\" data-start=\"3763\" data-end=\"3796\"\u003eSigned \"Geo. Clymer,\" President\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"3kicu2\" data-start=\"3797\" data-end=\"3828\"\u003eSigned by Cashier J. Campbell\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"vfddfk\" data-start=\"3829\" data-end=\"3852\"\u003eSerial number present\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1pfhoox\" data-start=\"3853\" data-end=\"3900\"\u003eContemporary cancellation markings on reverse\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"10wtm0i\" data-start=\"3901\" data-end=\"3947\"\u003eStrong engraved vignettes and original paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"hrykuu\" data-start=\"3949\" data-end=\"3961\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3963\" data-end=\"3981\"\u003eVery Good to Fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3983\" data-end=\"4140\"\u003eOriginal circulated example with period endorsements and cancellation markings. Displays well with attractive engraved design and legible officer signatures.\u003cstrong data-start=\"4312\" data-end=\"4460\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"cfncyk\" data-start=\"4672\" data-end=\"4695\"\u003eResearch Disclaimer\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4697\" data-end=\"5262\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eThe discussion regarding the signatures is based on comparative examination of this note alongside other surviving May 1814 Philadelphia Bank examples, including observed differences in signature placement, letterform structure, and ink characteristics. These observations support a \u003cstrong data-start=\"4980\" data-end=\"5003\"\u003eresearch hypothesis\u003c\/strong\u003e, not a definitive conclusion. If desired, a final determination regarding whether the signatures are manuscript or printed could be made through professional forensic examination and archival documentation of The Philadelphia Bank's note-signing and issuance practices.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52562338611482,"sku":null,"price":3995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_1662.jpg?v=1784660328","url":"https:\/\/princetonaudubonprints.com\/products\/george-clymer-philadelphia-bank-20-note-may-9-1814-possible-manuscript-signature-of-declaration-constitution-signer-exceptional-research-opportunity","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}