Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette Autograph Letters Sold for High Prices at Auction
If you are interested in buying, consigning or selling a Marquis de Lafayette autograph or a Lafayette autograph letter signed, please go to http://www.NateDSanders.com, call (310) 440-2982 or email [email protected].
Lafayette Autograph
What fantastic content Marquis de Lafayette autograph letters signed that we at NateDSanders.com Auction House have sold. Some of the best. A Lafayette autograph letter signed sold for $19,000 here at NateDSanders.com detailing Britain’s final attempt at keeping the American colonies. A Lafayette autograph letter signed regarding having anxiety that the British were attacking two months before the Revolutionary War was going to end sold for $13,045. And, we sold five other Lafayette autograph letters for over $7,000 besides the aforementioned two. Here are those Lafayette autograph letters with descriptions, pictures and prices:
Lafayette Autograph Letter Signed Re: Cornwallis’ Final Stand — “…The enemy are fortifying at York…vessels are gone to bring some of the troops remaining at Portsmouth. Lord Cornwallis is at York…”
Lafayette Autograph Letter Signed “Lafayette” as Major General, to Brigadier General George Weedon, announcing that Cornwallis is fortifying Yorktown, and requesting reinforcements and supplies immediately. Also with franking signature “Lafayette M G” on address leaf. Written from New Castle [Hanover County near Richmond], dated 6 August 1781: “…The enemy are fortifying at York, and it is said vessels are gone to bring some of the troops remaining at Portsmouth. Lord Cornwallis is at York. It would appear that the fleet was originally intended for New York, but a dispatch from General Clinton produced the present arrangement…” In addition to this momentous news, Lafayette also requests additional troops and supplies: “…It is also at this moment of importance to bring all our cavalry together. I request therefore that you will order Bedkin’s Corps, which I understand is at Fredericksburg, to join me with dispatch…” Two pages measure 7.25″ x 9.25″, with integral address leaf upon which franking signature is present. Two small seal holes on address leaf, else near fine. Abstracted in “Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution,” IV:506. Dark Lafayette autograph. Sold for $19,000.
Lafayette Autograph Letter signed ”Lafayette” as Major General, to Brigadier General George Weedon, reporting on his move to the James River, and asking that Weedon defend Fredericksburg if Cornwallis moves in that direction. Also with postscript initialed ”L.F.”, and franking signature ”Lafayette M G” on address leaf. Datelined Ruffins Ferry [New Kent County, Virginia], 29 August 1781: ”…As I am about changing my ground for a position nearer James River, you will be pleased to direct the waggons or stores for this army to accommodate their route accordingly. They should not approach nearer the enemy than New-Castle. I am induced to this measure by some late intelligence from the enemy, which I cannot but act upon…In case of any move of the enemy your way, you will use every means for the defence of Fredericksburg till I can throw in my assistance…” Single page letter with integral address leaf measures 8.25″ x 12.75″. Moderate wear at folds and minor soiling on address leaf; very good. Abstracted in ”Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution,” IV:511. Nice Lafayette autograph. Sold for $13,045.
Lafayette Autograph Letter Signed ”Lafayette” as Major General, to Brigadier General George Weedon, asking for reinforcements, and forwarding an intercepted letter to Cornwallis (not present) for publication. Also with franking signature ”Lafayette M G” on separate address sheet. Written from ”Head Quarters 20 miles from Williamsburg” [Tyree’s Plantation, New Kent County, Virginia] on 1 July 1781, letter reads in part, ”…We are near the enemy, you will perceive, and I am sorry to inform you that the militia are daily going off without any relief coming in. Under these circumstances, your influence is of the greatest consequence to engage the people to turn out, and hurry on to camp. Every reinforcement, particularly horse, should receive pointed instructions to come as fast as possible. I inclose you the letter to Lord Cornwallis, and think it had better be transmitted to some Virginia delegate for publication (tho’ not officially) as it serves to shew his Lordship’s intention was to go further from James River than he has done…” Two pages measure 6.5” x 8” on card-style stationery. In near fine condition with only light foxing. Abstracted in ”Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution,” IV:498. Stellar Lafayette autograph. Sold for $9,799.
Lafayette Autograph Letter Signed, ”Lafayette” as Major General, to Colonel William Davis of the Virginia Board of War, announcing his pursuit of the enemy to Williamsburg, and pleading urgently for supplies. Also with franking signature ”Lafayette M G” on address leaf. Written from ”Head Quarters” [between Fredericksburg and Williamsburg] on 22 June 1781, letter reads in part, ”…Yesterday morning the enemy evacuated Richmond, and seem to be bending towards Williamsburg. We are following them. At this moment the army is in great want of cartriges, we also want powder and lead for the riflemen…If I cannot get a number of boats upon carriages, every operation must be impeded in the lower part of Virginia…Let me add to this letter of wants, that of rum and shoes, without which you know we can do nothing…” Two pages measure 7.25” x 9.25” with integral address leaf upon which additional franked signature appears. Small seal hole on address leaf, minor wear and foxing; very good condition. Abstracted in ”Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution,” IV:497. Bold Lafayette autograph. Sold for $8,711.
Fantastic Marquis de Lafayette autograph letter twice-signed from Richmond, dated 3 May 1781 to General George Weedon, less than six months from the end of the war and this Virginia Campaign leading to the Surrender at Yorktown. Lafayette theorizes about the enemy’s next move and orders Weedon to prepare to defend Fredericksburg. He describes his successful effort to deter the British from Richmond, ”…they have spoke with surprise of the rapidity of our march…” and the disposition of Good and Innis’ militias. He then conveys important orders for Weedon: ”…From every circumstance I am aprehensive that having been frustrated in their tentative against Richmond, the ennemy will proceed to Frederisburg. You know that Mr. Hunter’s works are the great resource of the Southern Department. I wish therefore you will remain in that part and collect a number of good riflemen…ready to be into the field when the ennemy appear at the mouth of Pottowmack, where you will have an intelligent officer and a chain of expresses to convey his letters to you. From the time I know that the ennemy appear at the mouth of Pottowmack, I can in four days be with you…” He signs, ”Lafayette”. Franking signature, ”Lafayette M G” also appears on the address (fourth) page. Letter measures 7.75” x 12.75” and runs three pages. Minor soiling and paper loss; very good condition. Published in ”Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution,” IV:77-79. Choice Lafayette autograph. Sold for $8,711.
Marquis de Lafayette autograph letter signed ”Lafayette” as Major General. He writes to Brigadier General George Weedon, head of the Virginia militia regarding Fredericksburg. Dated 21 June 1781 from ”Head Quarters” [en route from Fredericksburg to Richmond], it reads: ”…Your exertions have been of infinite service, and although I wish you with me, yet we must suffer greatly should we lose the assistance to be derived from your remaining a little longer where you are. This morning the enemy evacuated Richmond, and by the last accounts were near Bottoms Bridge. It is not perfectly clear from this movement that Cornwallis intends for Williamsburg, and yet it is most probable he does…” 2pp. letter measures 7.25” x 9.25”. Small seal hole on address leaf and some blotting on the signature,; very good condition overall. Published in ”Lafayette and the Age of the American Revolution,” IV:205. Dark Lafayette autograph. Sold for $7,199.
Marquis de Lafayette autograph s a letter as major general in the Continental Army. Handwritten by his nephew, George Augustine Washington, the letter is signed, ”Lafayette” in the Marquis’ hand. On 27 July 1781, from Malvern Hill [Henrico County, Virginia], he writes to Brigadier General George Weedon, ”…I make no doubt before this you have heard of the enemy’s being in Hampton Road. About two thousand five hundred have embarked and every thing in readiness to sail, supposed for N. York, but I cannot ascertain the certainty. They have on board pilots for the rivers and bay. I wish you to pay the most particular attention to have persons that you can confide in at the mouths of the rivers to give you the earliest information. Upon you I depend for the first disposition and the earliest information. Should they move up Potomack I will move there with the greatest rapidity as my present situation is as nearly calculated to protect the different parts of the state as possible…” Two page folio letter runs 8.25” x 12.75”. Small stains on the signature and elsewhere, but overall near fine. Published in ”Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution,” IV:280-1. Dark black Lafayette autograph. Sold for $7,199.
1830 Marquis de Lafayette Autograph Letter Signed — Referencing the Date of the French Revolution of 1830
Here, the Marquis de Lafayette autograph s and hand writes a letter to Monsieur Burd and signs “Genl. La Fayette / Paris / 1830”. In French, Lafayette writes in the third person, customary at the time when expressing deference to the recipient: “The General Lafayette is honored to express his thanks to Mr. Burd. He is very sorry not to be able to take advantage of his gracious offer, but immediately after the royal meeting will return home to LaGrange where he has not been able to return since the 27th of July.” 27 July 1830 is the date of the French Revolution of 1830, when Lafayette was recruited, but declined, the role as French dictator. The royal meeting to which Lafayette refers might be the 9 August session in which Louis-Philippe, whom Lafayette supported, became King of France. Letter bears red wax seal and measures 7.75″ x 6″. Toning, creasing and a quarter-sized chip opposite seal. In very good condition. Immaculate Lafayette autograph. Sold for $740.
If you are interested in buying, consigning or selling a Marquis de Lafayette autograph or a Lafayette autograph letter signed, please go to http://www.NateDSanders.com, call (310) 440-2982 or email [email protected].