October 2012 Auction Ends Tuesday, October 23rd, 5pm Pacific

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Lot #331: Benjamin Franklin 1785 Document Signed as President of Pennsylvania -- Excellent, Bold Signature

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2012

Benjamin Franklin signs an interest certificate, dated 19 October 1785, one day after being elected President of Pennsylvania. Until May of that year he had served the new American nation as ambassador to France. Now, in a position similar to a modern day governor, Franklin authorizes Pennsylvania Treasurer David Rittenhouse to pay ''to Gilbert Quirk late private of Musquetry of the Pennsylvania Line, or his order, the sum of two pounds eight shillings being one year's interest on his depreciation certificate, due the tenth day of April 1782 agreeably to an act of The General Assembly, intitled, 'An act to appropriate certain monies arising from the excise, for the payment of the annual interest due on unalienated certificates therein mentioned,' passed the twenty-first day of March 1783, and out of the fund appropriated by the said act, for the purposes therein mentioned.'' He signs boldly, ''B. Franklin Presid.'' with a paraph accentuating his name. The certificate, issued in Philadelphia, is endorsed on the verso: ''Received the within contents in full / For George Bickham / Sam Fulton''. Minor toning and foxing to 7.75'' x 6.25'' document, with tape repair to verso. Overall near fine condition.

Benjamin Franklin 1785 Document Signed as President of Pennsylvania -- Excellent, Bold Signature Click above for larger image.