Early American History Auctions, Inc. – American Patriot Memorial Day Weekend History Auction
May 27, 2023
P.O. Box 3507 • Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
www.EarlyAmerican.com
Auctions@EarlyAmerican.com
858.759.3290

RANCHO SANTA FE, CALIF. — Important early American naval and military history related lots from the collection of Ambassador J. William “Bill” Middendorf will come up for bid in Early American History Auctions’s May 27 “American Patriot” auction. This auction of 264 lots will feature many early American historical prints, paintings, autographs, documents and Americana, many consigned from the collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II, one of America’s foremost historical collectors, specializing in American military history from Colonial though Revolutionary War and beyond, recording various naval engagements and important commanders.

This auction contains numerous highlights from the Middendorf collection, including the featured highlight, a 1770 (Sons of Liberty Founding Member) Paul Revere’s original hand-colored copper-plate engraving of the Bloody “Boston Massacre.” The most famous and historic engraved print in American history, its propaganda helping to ultimately bring forth the American Revolutionary War, its image reproduced in virtually every American history book, and one of only 29 copies known.

Other highlights include a circa 1775 militia officer’s waistcoat patriot spy / courier / emissary Dr Samuel Nicoll of New York, identified in a 1778 letter sent to General George Washington from Revolutionary War New York “Spymaster” Major Benjamin Tallmadge, Dr Nicoll’s militia officer’s waistcoat, ex: King’s College / Columbia University display, housed since its 1929 donation and subsequent deaccession.

A historic 1774 engraved print is titled, “The Bostonians in Distress” London, printed for R. Sayer & J. Bennett, Map & Printsellers. circa 1774, engraved print titled, “Liberty Triumphant: or the Downfall of Oppression.” with “Lead us to Liberty or death!” and “We will secure our freedom, or die in the Attempt.” This historic satirical cartoon engraved print and map was published shortly after the “Boston Tea Party” by Philadelphia & New York engraver Henry Dawkins.

A 1779-dated, “John Paul Jones, Commander of a Squadron in the Service of the Thirteen United States of North America, 1779,” Revolutionary War mezzotint engraving, 1781, “Capt John Paul Jones” fully identified hand-painted and dated silhouette of Jones wearing his Revolutionary War naval officer’s uniform, aka the “Father of the American Navy” is an original watercolor miniature portrait of Captain John Paul Jones, attributed to artist Sarah Goodrich (1783-1853).

A President George Washington oil painting on canvas, after Gilbert Stuart’s original “Lansdowne Portrait” painting will also be offered.

Numerous other auction lots include Thomas Abernethie’s own personal autographed book titled “The History of the Revolution of South Carolina…” with his historic engraved fold-out map of Charleston Harbor contained within, engraved by Abernethie, colonial South Carolina’s paper money and map engraver; a Daniel Boone and Rebecca Boone signed land sale deed, with Daniel and “his Wife” also being named ten separate times; a 1792 Aaron Burr autograph letter signed, with integral and “Free” franking signature “A Burr” transmittal leaf; an 1865 13th Amendment printed broadside, freeing slaves, previously unlisted and apparently a unique new discovery; and an 1859 Declaration Independence plaque by Samuel H. Black, a rare large and first seen, likely unique, major variant “Negative Plate” production process type.

Also included are a 1780 Benjamin Edes signed, rare Revolutionary War “Boston” town – treasury interest bearing tax loan certificate: “for the Purpose of carrying on the War,” signed by “David Jeffries,” deacon of Old South Church as town treasurer, an unknown fiscal form, not listed in Anderson; 1744 Benjamin Franklin printed book of Cicero’s “Cato Major, or his discourse of Old-Age: with Explanatory Notes”; April 10, 1865 dated historic manuscript note signed “A. Lincoln” as president, signed just four days prior to Lincoln’s assassination by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater; “America” by Samuel Francis Smith signed and dated, first four stanzas of American patriotic song “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”; Paul Revere’s historic engraved print of the British troops landing at Boston Harbor per the British “Intolerable Acts” titled, “A Prospective View of the Town of Boston, the Capitol of New England and of the Landing of —- Troops in the Year 1768, in Consequence of Letters from Gov. Bernard, the Commissioners, & c. to the British Ministry; rare colonial currency note dated August 21, 1775, North Carolina, Four Dollars “Hillsborough” issue, PCGS Extremely Fine-40; and a rare February 1781 “Vermont Calls For Justice” one shilling and three pence colonial note, PMG Choice Fine-15.

A few more highlights include a 1777 Francis Hopkinson & John Nixon signed partly-printed continental navy-board issued document; Cambridge, Mass., newspaper reporting on the “Olive Branch Petition” and General Thomas Gage’s official report on the Battles of Lexington & Concord, front page; and Continental Congress Prize Agent at Boston, John Bradford, writes a letter to Continental Congress President John Hancock complaining about one of the captains in George Washington’s American armed privateer ships “Little Navy.”

For information, 858-759-3290 or www.earlyamerican.com.

Contact: Dana Linett at Early American • Future Consignments Now Being Accepted Original Paul Revere, Jr. Engraved & Printed Boston: The Bloody Massacre Print One of Only 29 Known to Exist Exceedingly Rare Paul Revere, Jr. Engraved Landing of the Troops at Boston Harbour • Small Size 1770 Edes & Gill’s Almanac Version circa 1774, The BOSTONIANS in DISTRESS London, printed for R. Sayer & J.Bennett, Regarding the British Boston Port Act Featuring: Historic Selections from the Ambassador J. William Middendorf, II Collection An Extensive Offering of American Prints, Documents & More ! Plus… Many Desirable Autographs, Military & Naval History & Americana Collectibles