Description:

Gerry Elbridge

Declaration Signer E. Gerry, Excellent 3p. ALS, Ex. Forbes

 

Bi-fold autograph letter signed. Penned on two pages, with integral address leaf in Gerry's hand. Dated "Cambridge 14th March 1807", and signed by Elbridge Gerry "E. Gerry". Fine condition with expected loss from the wax seal.  Ex. The Forbes Collection.

 

Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990), American owner-publisher of Forbes magazine, and consummate collector,  amassed one of the most substantial and broad collections of such breadth and depth that it filled a half-dozen residences, and sat on three continents. Many of his manuscripts were sold in Multi-million dollar sales By , Christie's in the early 2000’s. The Forbes name is considered to be the apex of provenance when attached to an item like the above. We are honored to have been chosen by the family to sell at auction the substantial balance of the collection. Ex. Christie's 2006

 

Settling the estate of a family member. An affectionate and accommodating letter from the Massachusetts patriot, governor and future Vice-President (whose surname is memorialized in the enduring political term "gerrymander", to denote redistricting for political advantage). Mrs. Rickett's mother (Gerry's mother-in-law) has recently died. He expresses regret at Mrs. Ricketts's illness, most likely "a species of the influenza, which has attacked every one of my family: Mrs Gerry and my youngest child very severely …". He has received "the schedule of your poor momma's property … & will write, as you propose, to your Uncle & cousin on the subject of money in their hands, as her trustees. Mrs. Smyth has been such a comfort to your momma, as to render the legacy to her, perfectly agreeable …" He discusses certain pieces of silverplate to be divided among the heirs, and adds: "I presume the books & papers of your late poppa were, at the request of your mother, taken by your brother, Col. Thompson … [I]f the papers which respect the annual income … give any information in regard to the legacies, I will thank you for a sketch of them, when you are at leisure …"

 

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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