Remarkable and very early ADS in Washington’s hand, signed “Washington,” one page, 7.5 x 12, dated March 23, 1750–1. A handwritten land survey for 730 acres owned by John Grub, undertaken by Washington with the assistance of William Crawford and Owen Thomas (chainmen) and Thomas Wadlington (measurer). The survey contains detailed notes of the exact layout of the land, as well as a crisply penned survey map of the tract. In addition to Washington’s signature on the front, the document bears a docket on the reverse in Washington’s more familiar later hand, “Surveyor’s fee not paid to Go: Washington.” Presented in a hinged cabinet-style frame measuring 30 x 20.25 closed. When closed, the frame displays the front document beside an attractive engraving of Washington as a young surveyor; when open, the frame displays the docket and a descriptive plaque. This exact document is reproduced in facsimile in the 1930 reference Word Shadows of the Great: The Lure of Autograph Collecting by Thomas F. Madigan. Madigan’s caption to the foldout image reads notes that the document is an “Original Survey and Plat made by George Washington in his eighteenth year. The entire document, including the map or plat, is in Washington’s handwriting, the early form of which differs considerably from the familiar hand of his later years.” A hardbound copy of the book is included. In fine condition, with professional reinforcement and small repairs to horizontal folds on docket side, and a few trivial spots of surface loss to lower left corner and side. While handwritten Washington surveys, which provide such an immediate window into the great statesman’s early career, are rather uncommon, examples of this extremely early date are of the greatest scarcity. A most unusual Washington treasure of supreme historic interest! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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