Description:

Crockett David 1786 - 1836

Near perfect David Crockett signature, with free frank stamped remnant.

A spectacular and extremely scarce David Crockett signature with a faint remnant of a free frank stamp, 2.5" x .75", adhered to a triangular shaped backing to a size of 4.5" x 1.25". Signed by Crockett as "D Crockett". Presented matted, framed and glazed with a stunning print, 6" x 8". Framed to an overall size of 10.25" x 13.2"

A legendary American frontiersman, Crockett was born in Tennessee. In 1813, he participated in a massacre against the Creek Indians at Tallushatchee, and later earned a seat in the 21st U.S. Congress. He was reelected to Congress twice before leaving politics to fight in the Texas Revolution. He arrived at the Alamo in February 1836 and died March 6 at the Battle of the Alamo in San Antonio, though the exact circumstances of his death have been the subject of debate. In his life, he wrote an autobiography which added to his legend. With the faint Free Frank red stamp remnant visible, Crockett's signature most likely occurred while he was an active member in politics as member of Congress.

This phenomenal piece was found within an 1830's album kept by the wife of an officer in the Black Hawk War, containing numerous superb signatures including David Crockett, Sam Houston and dozens of others within the 80 leaves of the scrap book. The scrap book additionally contained prints and ephemera. The owner was identified on the first leaf, in ornate calligraphy, "THE SCRAP BOOK, Elvira F. Smith ... JEFFERSON BARRACKS: February 12, 1830". The album was kept by Elvira Loraine Foster Smith (1804-1878), the wife of infantry officer Henry Smith (1798-1847), who was stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri from 1830-1832. The album was mostly disbound, however all the phenomenal signatures and prints remain intact and in highly collectible condition.

How Mrs. Smith obtained Crockett's signature is unknown, but it would appear, much like the other signatures mounted within the album, that it was cut from a letter, and probably addressed to her husband. Her husband was an 1815 graduate of West Point who served in a variety of posts, including working as a Quartermaster at Sackett's Harbor and Plattsburg, New York from 1819-1822 and in the same capacity at Green Bay, Wisconsin (1822), Fort Brady, Michigan (1822-1823), and Fort Smith, Arkansas (1823). From 1823 to 1826 he served as an aide-de-camp to General Winfield Scott.

An exceptional example of his signature, with a stunning presentation.

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