George Washington Signed Late-1700s Society of Cincinnati Membership Document (JSA)

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2015

Still active and prestigious in modern times, the Society of the Cincinnati arose from a meeting of American military elite in May, 1783. The assembled group resolved to maintain contact following the conclusion of Revolutionary War hostilities. Later, the organization’s formalized rules provided that U.S. Continental forces officers of certain levels – and their heirs – would be eligible for membership. The Society’s mission was articulated in print on the document presented here, with text reading, in part: “ … the Society of the Cincinnati, instituted by the Officers of the American Army … to commemorate the great Event which gave Independence to North America, as for the laudable Purpose of inculcating the Duty of laying down in Peace Arms assumed for public Defence, and of uniting in Acts of brotherly Affection, and Bonds of perpetual Friendships … Members constituting the same.” The Society counts numerous important American and international figures – through more than two centuries – as Founding/Original, Hereditary, or Honorary members who distinguished themselves in the military, government or other service. Its roster includes such historical luminaries as Alexander Hamilton, John Paul Jones, Pierre L’Enfant, Sir Winston Churchill, Gen. John J. Pershing, Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, Gen. Robert E. Lee and many U.S. Presidents. The offered paper relic was intended to confer membership in the venerable Society, and it has been signed by the first President General of the Society: George Washington, who simultaneously served as the first President of the United States of America. Although the certificate was not used to confer a membership – its spaces for a name and date remain unfilled – it was doubtless prepared in the correct manner in anticipation of eventual use. To this end, Washington (1732-1799) affixed his clear and memorably stylish signature in the space allocated for the President’s scripting. (The Society’s Secretary has also signed.) The antique paper piece projects minimally EX presentation quality with occasional folds and inevitable but unobtrusive edge faults. LOA from JSA.