Description:

Declaration Signer Thomas McKean DS as Governor of Pennsylvania

Partial-printed DS, 1p on vellum, measuring approximately 20" x 11.75" (largest), dated October 10 [ca. 1806], Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A land patent for “a certain tract...called Callington” in Potter County, to Alexander Baring & Co. and bequeathed by William Bingham (1752-1804), once considered the richest man in America. Signed by Governor Thomas McKean (1734-1817) at top left as "Tho. McKean" and countersigned on verso by Timothy Matlack (1736-1829), a politician from Pennsylvania who had previously been chosen to inscribe the original Declaration of Independence in 1776. Top and bottom portions of document's right side have been lost, with expected creasing and minor holes present to vellum; left side intact. Despite flaws, the two key signatures of McKean and Matlack remain bold and unaffected.

Thomas McKean was an American lawyer, politician, and Founding Father. During the American Revolution, he served as a Delaware delegate to the Continental Congress where he signed the Continental Association, Declaration of Independence, and Articles of Confederation. In his later political career, he would move to Pennsylvania where he served first as chief justice and then as the state's second Governor between 1799-1808.

Timothy Matlack was an American politician, military officer and businessman. He would emerge as a popular and powerful leader during the American Revolutionary War, serving as Secretary of Pennsylvania during the conflict as well as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress in 1780. His handwritten copy of the Declaration is now on public display in the Rotunda of the Charters of Freedom at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.

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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