{"title":"Autographs","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"autograph-james-monroe-clipped-signature-on-vellum-fifth-president-of-the-united-states","title":"AUTOGRAPH-JAMES MONROE CLIPPED SIGNATURE ON VELLUM — FIFTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal period document fragment bearing the faint signature of James Monroe (1758–1831), Founding Father, Revolutionary War veteran, diplomat, and fifth President of the United States.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe signature, “James Monroe,” is written in ink on a rectangular piece of heavily textured vellum or parchment clipped from a larger document. Monroe served as president from 1817 to 1825 and is remembered for the Monroe Doctrine, the Missouri Compromise, and the acquisition of Florida.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe signature is extremely faded, with portions difficult to discern without magnification. Strong writing impressions and traces of the original ink remain visible across the vellum. The fragment exhibits folds, creasing, surface wear, discoloration, and closely trimmed edges consistent with its age and removal from a larger document. Please examine the photographs carefully.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn affordable opportunity to acquire an original autograph attributed to one of America’s earliest presidents and the last president belonging to the Founding Fathers’ generation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition: Poor to fair. Signature heavily faded and partially illegible; vellum substantially creased and worn. Sold as shown.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52713787130138,"sku":null,"price":245.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_2245.jpg?v=1787072935"},{"product_id":"boston-tea-party-participant-thomas-melvill-twice-signed-1806-maritime-court-report-concerning-the-outfitting-of-an-early-maine-brig","title":"Boston Tea Party Participant Thomas Melvill — Twice-Signed 1806 Maritime Court Report Concerning the Outfitting of an Early Maine Brig","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn exceptional Federal-period manuscript signed twice by \u003cstrong\u003eMajor Thomas Melvill (1751–1832)\u003c\/strong\u003e, member of the Sons of Liberty, participant in the Boston Tea Party, Revolutionary War officer, and grandfather of \u003cem\u003eMoby-Dick\u003c\/em\u003e author Herman Melville. Also signed by prominent Portland attorney \u003cstrong\u003eWilliam Symmes (1760–1807)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDocketed for the March 1806 term of the Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas, this extensive manuscript report concerns the financial affairs of the Maine mercantile partnership of \u003cstrong\u003eHaley \u0026amp; Penney\u003c\/strong\u003e. Cumberland County was then within Massachusetts, fourteen years before Maine achieved statehood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe report contains particularly engaging maritime content. It describes Haley \u0026amp; Penney’s sale and outfitting of a brig, apparently the \u003cstrong\u003eAnn\u003c\/strong\u003e, which they agreed to furnish “with every article ready for sea” at a price of thirty-five dollars per ton. The vessel was calculated at approximately 144 tons, with its total valuation exceeding $5,000. Additional passages address cash advances, merchandise, partnership credits, outstanding debts and the proper allocation of a private account.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelvill and Symmes signed the commissioners’ principal accounting report. Melvill subsequently added and signed a separate sworn clarification stating that the private account should not be charged against the partnership’s common assets. Both portions are docketed “Sworn 8 Mar. 1806.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThomas Melvill participated in the destruction of British tea at Boston’s Griffin’s Wharf on December 16, 1773. He subsequently served during the Revolutionary War and held important customs positions at the Port of Boston. He was remembered in Boston as one of the final living representatives of the Revolutionary generation and reportedly inspired Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.’s poem “The Last Leaf.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA highly desirable association piece combining the \u003cstrong\u003eBoston Tea Party, Revolutionary War, early Maine history, maritime commerce, ship outfitting and Federal-period law\u003c\/strong\u003e. Far more substantial than the routine printed customs certificates on which Melvill’s autograph usually appears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original filing folds, scattered toning, minor edge wear, ink corrections and small spots, all consistent with an actively used 1806 court record. Writing and signatures remain strong and legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eor\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e1806 Pennsylvania Court Manuscript — Potash and Mercantile Dispute, Cumberland County\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginal handwritten legal manuscript entered in the Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Court of Common Pleas during its March 1806 term. The document records sworn statements concerning money and merchandise held for the early mercantile firm of Haley \u0026amp; Finney.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe testimony describes Haley \u0026amp; Finney delivering a cotton bag with instructions that it be filled with merchandise valued at thirty-five dollars per ton. It further records the handling and sale of approximately 144 tons of potash, producing more than $5,000 and leaving a calculated balance of approximately $1,022 due to the firm. A separate private account of $49.82 is also acknowledged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe manuscript appears connected with an attachment or garnishment proceeding arising from a suit brought by Shaw \u0026amp; Duncan against Haley \u0026amp; Finney and another party. It contains extensive contemporary corrections and revised calculations, suggesting that it was a working draft or retained court memorandum rather than a formal engrossed filing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSigned at the conclusion by \u003cstrong\u003eThomas McCulloh\u003c\/strong\u003e and a second individual believed to be \u003cstrong\u003eWilliam Ramsey\u003c\/strong\u003e, with McCulloh signing an additional statement concerning the private account. Docketed March 8, 1806.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn unusually detailed survival documenting the legal and commercial mechanics of the early American potash trade—an important source of export income and industrial material during the nation’s formative period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 1806\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlace:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cumberland County, Pennsylvania\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Handwritten court memorandum on laid paper\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSignatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thomas McCulloh and one other, believed William Ramsey\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original folds, light toning, scattered stains, edge wear, and contemporary corrections; generally well preserved and legible.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52716789399834,"sku":null,"price":1295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_2272_55c2e1b8-ed0f-44bb-9693-8ae01ef817a9.jpg?v=1787142504"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.thearchiveauthority.com\/en-ca\/collections\/autographs.oembed","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}