Sell or Auction Your William Phips Massachussets Signed Document for up to Nearly $5,000 or More at Nate D. Sanders Auctions
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Sell Your William Phips Massachussets Signed Document
Sir William Phips (or Phipps; February 2, 1651 – February 18, 1695) was born in Maine in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and was of humble origin, uneducated, and fatherless from a young age but rapidly advanced from shepherd boy, to shipwright, ship’s captain, and treasure hunter, the first New England native to be knighted, and the first royally appointed governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. Phips was famous in his lifetime for recovering a large treasure from a sunken Spanish galleon but is perhaps best remembered today for establishing the court associated with the infamous Salem Witch Trials, which he grew unhappy with and forced to prematurely disband after five months.
Below is a recent realized price for a William Phips Massachussets signed document. We at Nate D. Sanders Auctions can obtain up to these amounts or more for you:
William Phips Massachussets Signed Document. Sold for nearly $5,000.
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Here are some recent items that our auction house, Nate D. Sanders (http://www.NateDSanders.com) has sold:
Very scarce Meriwether Lewis document signed ”Meriwether Lewis Capt. / 1st U’S. Regt. Infty.” Single octavo page, dated 12 February 1807 reads in full: ”Received February 12th 1807 of Caleb Swan Paymaster of the Army of the United States, Two hundred dollars, in pursuance of a warrant from General Henry Dearborn Secretary of War, No. 1003, being on account of my pay and subsistence, for which sum I am accountable to the Accountant of the Department of War, having signed duplicates hereof. 200 Drs.” In January 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sought to learn more about the far western territory, and appropriated the money from Congress for the proposed journey, to be led by the experienced explorer Meriwether Lewis. In his memoirs, Jefferson wrote of Lewis:
”Of courage undaunted; possessing a firmness and perseverance of purpose which nothing but impossibilities could divert from its direction; careful as a father of those committed to his charge, yet steady in the maintenance of order and discipline; intimate with the Indian characters, customs, and principles; habituated to the hunting life; guarded by exact observations of the vegetables and animals of his own country against losing time in the description of objects already possessed; honest, disinterested, liberal, of sound understanding, and a fidelity to truth so scrupulous that whatever he should report would be as certain as seen by ourselves…” (”History of the Expedition,” 1814). In the months immediately preceding the expedition, Lewis sought training in the use of astronomical instruments and in the art of map-making. He also chose a companion officer, William Clark of Louisville. While the expedition did not achieve the primary objective of finding the elusive Northwest Passage, it contributed significantly to the understanding of the geography of the Northwest and produced approximately 140 maps, the first accurate maps of the area. In addition, it documented 100 newly discovered species of animals, approximately 170 plants, and it also established friendly relations with three dozen Indian tribes. The knowledge they obtained sparked American interest in the west, and strengthened the nation’s claim to the area. Meriwether Lewis returned to Washington, D.C. from his three year journey in late December of 1806. After returning from the expedition, Lewis received a reward of 1,600 acres of land. In addition, Thomas Jefferson appointed him Governor of the Louisiana Territory. However, Lewis was not confirmed by the Senate until March 1807 and he remained a Captain in the interim. Base pay for Captains at this period was $40 per month so the present receipt would represent five months’ salary. A supremely rare document directly linking Meriwether Lewis to the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Items of Lewis & Clark related to the famed expedition are of the utmost rarity. Docketed on verso. Toning to folds and showthrough, otherwise near fine condition. Sold for $30,768.
As Governor and Commander in Chief of Louisiana, Meriwether Lewis signs his full name in black ink to a document, appointing George Armistead to the position of ”Justice of the Peace for the township of Arkansas, District of New Madrid” on 18 May 1808. Armistead would later become the Commander of American forces during the bombardment of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. Lewis’ signature is very scarce as he died of a gunshot wound in 1809, with few documents signed by him as Governor of Louisiana during his 2-year tenure. Document is also one of the few after his expedition from 1804-1806 with William Clark, which charted the newly acquired Louisiana Territory for the United States, a highly dangerous mission but successful mission. Document retains its paper-covered seal and is co-signed by Secretary Frederick Bates, who later became Governor of Missouri. A great Lewis and Clark autograph. Measures 12.5” x 7.75”. Document has been archivally repaired at left panel, small tears at edges of folds, tape to top of left panel, overall very good condition. Sold for $24,513.
Beautiful and scarce Pilgrim document from 17th century colonial America. Dated 1670, document confirms the sale of 50 acres of land in Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts by John Rogers to William Macomber. Document is signed by a veritable who’s-who of Pilgrim notables, including Rogers, Nathaniel Morton, Constant Southworth and James Toale (Towle). In addition to writing the first historical text published in the United States (about the settlement of the Plymouth Colony) Nathaniel Morton was the first to publish a list of signers of the Mayflower Compact and also wrote his account of the first Thanksgiving. He served for most of his life as Secretary of Plymouth Colony, where his careful record-keeping enabled him to compile New England’s Memorial, considered the first comprehensive history of the colony, published at Cambridge in 1669, and widely considered the first book of history published in the United States. In fact, ”The Wall Street Journal” has published an excerpt from Morton’s history of Plymouth Colony as an op-ed the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day since 1961. Constant Southworth came to Plymouth in 1628 as a teenager, and held several prominent positions during his life, including Treasurer of the Colony. John Rogers was born in 1642 in Plymouth County, the son of a Mayflower passenger. Document measures approximately 15.5” x 12” with some paper loss to lower right. Some expected foxing and toning, small amount of paper loss and archival tape repair to verso. In very good condition considering age, with still bold writing. Sold for $10,000.
One of the most important books on the history of America (cited by Borba de Moraes, Howes, Sabin and Wing), the 1671 first edition of ”America: Being the Latest and Most Accurate Description of the New World”. Privately printed in London by the author, Arnoldus Montanus, and edited by John Ogilby. In ”America” Montanus goes into great detail of the new continents, with dozens of engravings of Native Americans, species of animals and reptiles, and the landscapes and settlements in the new world, accompanied by text. The book covers speculation regarding the earliest voyages to America, along with later recorded voyages and the settlements of New Netherlands/New York, New England, Hudson’s Bay, Labrador, Canada, Nova Scotia, Maryland, Virginia, (including Captain Smith’s capture and rescue by Pocahontas), Carolinas, Florida and California, plus accounts of Mexico and nearby islands, even including Australia and New Zealand. 674pp. book contains 75 original engravings (64 copper plates within the text and 9 plates throughout), lacking the maps and 28 engravings, which is typical as this edition is almost never found with all plates intact. All text is complete except for missing pages 445-446. Large format book measures 10” x 15”. Bound in original full leather boards, with some loss of leather to covers, cracking along spine and front board detached. Interior text is near fine and very readable. An important and fascinating addition to early knowledge of the American continent. Sold for $9,375.
First edition, two-volume set of ”History of the Expedition under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark to the source of the Missouri thence across the Rocky Mountains and down the river Columbia to the Pacific Ocean performed during the years 1804-05-06 by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark”. Published by Bradford and Inskeep: New York: 1814. Regarded as the definitive account of the first exhaustive, and most important Western exploration of America, which covered some eight thousand miles in slightly more than twenty-eight months. Lewis and Clark brought back the first reliable information about much of the area they traversed, made contact with the Native Americans as a prelude to the expansion of the fur trade, and advanced the geographical knowledge of the continent. This official account of the expedition is as much a landmark in Americana as the trip itself. Books, each measuring 5.5” x 8.75”, are bound in original marble-patterned leather boards and have five engraved, bound-in maps, missing the fold-out map found in some copies. Covers are worn and scuffed and the inside of covers have insect channels. Vol. I, 470pp., is missing the front free endpaper and has a chip out of the title page. Volume II runs 522pp. Light foxing and dampstaining throughout both volumes and some paper loss not affecting text. Overall in very good condition. An attractive set of America’s most important exploration narrative. Sold for $6,544.
Document signed by Jonathan Corwin, one of the judges overseeing the Salem Witch Trials, known for signing several arrest warrants associated with the Trials, and for conducting hearings where three of the accused women gave testimony. Document, dated 3 March 1700, is signed by Corwin in Salem as Probate Judge of Essex County, where he approves the will of John Poor, whose family has an interesting association with the Trials. John’s brother, Daniel Poor, was a constable in Salem during the Trials, and was given custody of Samuel and Sarah Wardwell’s child after they were both convicted of witchcraft in 1692. With intact wax-based paper seal, document measures 8.25” x 8”. Normal age wear with expected toning and foxing. Overall very good condition given age, with an exceptionally large, bold signature by Corwin. Sold for $6,250.
Salem Witch Trials Judge Thomas Danforth Document Signed From 1656 — Scarce
Document from the colony of Massachusetts signed ”Thomas Danforth”, one of the Judges of the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Decades after this document was drafted, Danforth would sit as a judge in the 1692 witch trials, though he actually opposed putting the purported witches on trial. Datelined Charlestown, 19 June 1656, the document is written by an unknown hand and reads in part: ”At a Coun[ty] Court hild at Charlestown, June 19th 1656: Whereas at the last Coun[ty] Court hild at Cambr[idge]: The Court granted unto Capt. Frances Norton a release from paying any further interest for the money he have in his hands of…Childwin…given by Capt. Norton to…Childwin for the payment not only of the principle, but also of the interest untill such time as this court shall give him…[signed] Thomas Danforth”. Danforth was a prominent colonial figure and founded the town of Framingham, Massachusetts. 1pp. measures 7.74” x 4.25”. Light toning, creasing and an irregular right edge, else in near fine condition, especially given age. Sold for $3,691.
John Speed Map of New England and New York 1676
The most famous 17th century map of New England, engraved by cartographer Francis Lamb with Anglican names for the first time reflecting the shift from Dutch to English rule, such as New York rather than New Amsterdam and “New Jarsey”. London: Basset and Chisswell, 1676, from the reissue of John Speed’s atlas, “The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine”, with new maps of the English colonies. Colorful double-page map entitled “A Map of New England and New York”, shows wildlife of the area in addition to topography and boundary lines. With English text on verso headlined, “The Description of New Neatherlands [sic] now called NEW-YORK” and “The Description of New England”. Engraved map measures 21″ x 17.125″, hinged at top to mat measuring 26.375″ x 21.375″. Slight offset along center fold, tape repair to verso, small separation at top center fold, and minute foxing. Overall very good plus condition. Sold for $1,800.
Clerk of Courts for the Salem Witch Trials, Stephen Sewall document signed in ink ”Steph Sewall” as recorder for Essex County. Twelve years prior, Sewall served as Clerk in the Court of ”Oyer & Terminer” in Salem Town, site of the most notorious of the collective ”Salem Witch Trials”. Lethal paranoia, accusations and trials swept three additional towns in colonial Massachusetts during the year of 1692-1693, during which nineteen people were ultimately executed for witchcraft. Handwritten document is dated 1705 and names Jonathan Woodman and Richard Bartlett Jr. as parties to a land sale contract. Sewall signs a panel to verso. Single-page document on card-style stationery is countersigned by Jonathan Woodman, Samuel Soyer, Philip Morss, Joseph Hoyt and Thomas Noyes. Remnants of a red wax seal appear to the lower right. Measures 7.5” x 11.75”. Foxing, toning, dampstaining and separation to folds. Good condition, especially given age. Sold for $938.
FREE ESTIMATE. To buy, auction, sell or consign your William Phips Massachussets signed document that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).