Sell Your Bernard Ratzer Map Plan of the City of New York in North America 1766 and 1767 for up to $175,000

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.

To auction, consign or sell your Bernard Ratzer map Plan of the City of New York in North America that is for sale, please email [email protected] or phone the Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com) office for a FREE VALUATION at (310) 440-2982.

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