Description:

Franklin Benjamin 1706 - 1790 Boldly signed Benjamin Franklin document dated less than four months before he signed the Constitution, granting land in Pennsylvania - among the finest we have seen!



One page manuscript document on vellum, boldly and cleanly signed by Benjamin Franklin as "B. Franklin,"scripted on both recto and verso, 15.5" x 13.5", dated "the Eleventh day of June ... One Thousand seven hundred and eighty seven ..."


Countersigned by "James Trimble / for John Armstrong Jun Secry" The State of Pennsylvania embossed seal and ribbon affixed to the upper left corner and is beautifully intact. Unlike most state seals, Pennsylvania's seal has a verso. This one stating "Both Can't Survive" depicting an image of a soldier holding a sword and helmet having slain an animal. Additional embossed seal on verso. Small 1/2" piece missing from bottom edge. Expected folds. Slight grubbiness to verso with a hint of toning to recto. The document is still supple with strong contrast to the manuscript with but a small portion of the lower bottom edge becoming brittle and developing translucency. Near fine condition.

A gorgeous example of a land deed cleanly signed by Benjamin Franklin with his ornate flourish. At the time Franklin was President of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania (1785-1788) and a delegate to the Federal Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.The land deed starts with the statement " In consideration of the Monies paid by Manuel Soliday into the Receiver Generals Office of this Commonwealth at the granting of the Warrant herein after mentioned and of the Sum of Nine pound eighteen Shilling and Six pence lawful money now paid by him onto the said office there is granted by the said Commonweatlh unto the said Manuel Solliday a certain tract of Land called "Manuelstons" ..." With the ending statement of "In witness where of his Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esq, Present of the Supreme Executive Council hath hereto let his hand and causes the State Seal to be hereto affixed..."

The Constitutional Convention was taking place in Philadelphia at the time Franklin signed this document, (he took his seat there on May 28th), and four months later, on September 17, 1787, and after addressing the delegates ("I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve ...") Benjamin Franklin and the other delegates signed the new Constitution.

An excellent fully manuscripted document from this momentous period in American history!

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