America’s greatest sage and Founding Father, the innovative and bold Benjamin Franklin, has signed this document dating to April 11th of 1786. The document issues the sum of 39 pounds, two shillings, and five pence to one Andrew Irvine, a native of Ireland and formerly a member of the Fourth Regiment of the United States Army in the Revolutionary War. By all accounts, Irvine was a decorated and useful officer, with his grave in Carlisle, Pennsylvania bearing the epitaph “In memory of Captain Andrew Irvine who Served in the American Army from the commencement of the War until its end with the reputation of a brave and faithful officer”. Irvine’s brother was Brigadier General Dr. William Irvine, a member of George Washington’s staff and a key figure in the ending of the Whiskey Rebellion.

The document in this lot pays two years interest on depreciation. It has been signed on the bottom by Benjamin Franklin in bold black pen with the inscription “Presed.”, referencing his status as the President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. The 80-year old Franklin exhibits stunning penmanship, with his signature next to the printed name of David Rittenhouse, Esq., himself a renaissance man in the mold of Franklin. This document is presented in an 11 x 12-inch frame. It is accompanied by a LOA from JSA (Z53108) to authenticate Franklin’s signature. 

Auction Notepad