Description:

B. Bruce PSA 8 Signed D.C. Land Deed

A land deed signed by Blanche K. Bruce (1841-1898), Washington, D.C. Recorder of Deeds, as "B K. Bruce" at the bottom of the folded document. Encapsulated and PSA/DNA graded NM-MT 8. This "Deed of Trust" was recorded by Bruce on the docket in Washington, D.C. on July 11, 1890; it transferred property from Mary E. Freeman to Charles A. McKeuen and Charles Early. The pale blue paper is slightly toned near the edges, with isolated smudges verso, else near fine. The folded document measures 3.5" x 8.5" while the slab measures 5.5" x 12.5."

Bruce, a former Virginia slave, was appointed by President Benjamin Harrison to succeed to the office of Recorder of the District of Columbia just a few years after the tenure of Frederick Douglass, in 1890. He would serve as Recorder until 1893. Bruce was also the first elected black U.S. Senator (representing Mississippi) to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate between 1875-1881.

The Recordership of the District of Columbia was a prestigious and lucrative position: during his tenure as Recorder, Bruce's salary was $30,000 annually, or nearly $900,000 in 2020 currency. The appointment of Frederick Douglass to the post in 1881 began a long tradition, extending well into the twentieth century, of awarding the post to worthy African-American candidates. Along with Douglass and Bruce, another black Recorder of Deeds, James M. Trotter, is well-known.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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May 4, 2022 10:30 AM EDT
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