Sell or Auction Your Benjamin Franklin Document Signed for up to Nearly $25,000 or More at Nate D. Sanders Auctions
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Aside from serving as President of Pennsylvania and signing the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin was also a writer who made contributions to science. Franklin conducted his own experiments on electricity and learned that lightning and electricity were the same thing. A collection of Franklin’s letters regarding his discoveries on electricity were compiled into the 1751 book Experiments and Observations on Electricity. He was awarded the Copley Medal by the Royal Society for his findings described in the book.
We recently sold a Benjamin Franklin document signed for $23,750. Please see details below:
Benjamin Franklin document signed as President of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth, appointing a Nathan Cary as the Coroner of Luzerne County. An exceptionally scarce type of document signed by Franklin, whose signature as then-Governor of Pennsylvania is highly desirable and scarce on its own. Dated 22 October 1787, Franklin’s large signature appears at left, underscored by an elaborate paraph. Red wax-based paper seal for Pennsylvania appears at top. Document measures 15.625” x 13”. Light foxing, two small spots of worming, and small holes at intersecting folds, with archival tape repair to verso. A bright document, in very good condition. Sold for $23,750.
Here are some additional Benjamin Franklin signed items that we sold:
Benjamin Franklin Letter Signed to Scotsman Lord Kames, Mentioning His Book on Successful Living, “…you will not doubt my being serious in the Intention of finishing my Art of Virtue…”
Very long and beautifully penned letter signed by Benjamin Franklin, written to Henry Home, Lord Kames, one of the principal figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, and mentor to both David Hume and Adam Smith. The American scientist and founding father writes to Kames from London on 21 October 1761 on a variety of topics, including effusive praise of Kames’ book, “Introduction to the Art of Thinking” and anticipation of Kames’ next book, “Elements of Criticism”. Franklin also mentions his own book “Art of Virtue”, which he never finished but seems inspired to complete after reading Kames’ work. Letter reads in part,
“My dear Lord, It is long since I have afforded myself the Pleasure of writing to you. As I grow in Years I find I grow more indolent, and more apt to procrastinate. I am indeed a bad Correspondent; but what avails Confession without Amendment!” Sold for $21,000.
Benjamin Franklin 1785 Document Signed as President of Pennsylvania — Excellent, Bold Signature
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. Sold for $15,436.
Benjamin Franklin land grant signed in Philadelphia on 27 April 1787, just one month before the start of the Constitutional Convention held in that city. Franklin served as President of Philadelphia’s Executive Council and signs ”B. Franklin” in that capacity, granting Private William Williams land in exchange for his service in the Revolutionary War. Document measures 15” x 12.5”, beautifully matted and framed to 40” x 23”. Weighs 14 lbs. Folds, toning and light staining throughout. Very good condition. Sold for $15,125.
Land grant signed by founding father Benjamin Franklin on 7 July 1787, while he served as President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. Franklin here grants a lot of land in Philadelphia to William Hamilton, part of which is known as the Woodlands, an area originally consisting of over 600 acres in West Philadelphia. Franklin signs ”B. Franklin” with his paraph underneath. Vellum document features a double sided seal of the state of Pennsylvania. Measures 15.5” x 13”. Folds, toning and very light soiling, mostly to verso. Very good plus condition. Sold for $15,000.
Benjamin Franklin Pennsylvania Land Grant Signed as President of Pennsylvania
Very desirable Pennsylvania land grant, dated 1 February 1787, signed by Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was appointed President of the Pennsylvania Executive Council in 1785 after serving the new American nation as ambassador to France, where he helped draft the Treaty of Paris. Here, in a position similar to a modern day governor, Franklin grants a parcel of land to James Smith, a Captain Lieutenant of Artillery, in consideration of his services rendered for the United States. He signs boldly on the left side of the document, ”B. Franklin”. One page partially printed document measures 12” x 15” and bears the Pennsylvania state seal in upper left corner. Light toning and soiling, not affecting signature. Overall very good plus condition. Beautifully framed in black and gilt with a portrait of Franklin. Sold for $13,045.
Benjamin Franklin Land Grant Signed for Turkey Hill, Pennsylvania
Benjamin Franklin document signed as President of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth, granting ”a certain Tract of Land called ‘Turkey Hill’ Situate on a Branch of Wheeling Creek in Washington County” to an Edward Cannell. Dated 8 June 1787, Franklin’s large signature appears at left, underscored by an elaborate paraph. Red wax-based paper seal for Pennsylvania appears at top. Document measures 15.5” x 13.25”, framed to 21.75” x 19.75”. Foxing, some soiling and a few holes to vellum document, though Franklin’s signature remains bold and prominent. Good plus condition. Sold for $10,625.
Benjamin Franklin document signed as President of the Committee of Safety for the American colonies in the Revolutionary War, dated 4 October 1775 (mistakenly written 1755) from Philadelphia; Franklin was appointed President of the Committee earlier in 1775. With large, bold signature ”B. Franklin Presidt”, document is headed ”In Committee of Safety”, and appoints the Gentleman John Hennessy to Lieutenant of the armed boat Effingham, reading in part, ”…We reposing especial trust and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, Do by these Presents constitute and appoint you to be Lieutenant of the Provincial Armed boat, called the Effingham fitted out for the protection of the Province of Pennsylvania, and the Commerce of the River Delaware, against all hostile Enterprizes and for the defence of American Liberty…” Document measures 13” x 8.25”. Some uneven toning, and professionally laid to paper for infill. Very good condition with bold signature. With PSA/DNA COA. Sold for $8,750.
Benjamin Franklin Signature — With COA from JSA
Benjamin Franklin signed slip of paper in a framed display. Franklin signs his name as ”B. Franklin” in black ink with a paraph flourish. 2.5” x 1.5” piece of cream paper is framed to a size of 20” x 17.5”. Signature has not been examined out of frame. Franklin’s name written in light pencil and left corner clipped, not affecting signature. Very good condition. With a COA from JSA. Sold for $5,500.
FREE VALUATION. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Benjamin Franklin document signed that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
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