American painter and naturalist (1741?1827), known for his portraits of George Washington. He collaborated with Jefferson on the polygraph, and his keen interest in natural history led him to found the Philadelphia Museum, later renamed the Peale Museum. Revolutionary War?dated manuscript DS, signed ?Chas. W. Peale,? as one of three members of the Committee of Assembly, one page, 7 x 3.25, January 29, 1780. In full, ?Please to pay unto Mr. Jacob Greiner the Sum of Four Hundred and Seventy eight pound, Seven Shillings & Six pence, for Nails Used on the Stadt House and public Stables.? Signed at the conclusion by Peale, and also signed by committee members William Hollinshead and Jacob Schreiner. In very good condition, with intersecting folds (horizontal fold affecting tops of a few letters of signature), rough vertical edges, scattered toning (a vertical strip passing through the signature), and reinforcement along top edge on reverse.
In 1730, the Pennsylvania General Assembly appointed a committee to direct the expenditure of £2,000 on a new ?Stadt house.? During the Revolutionary War, the State House, which became known as Independence Hall, shared space with the Continental Congress and required renovations to accommodate both congressional members and members of State Assembly; to make the necessary alterations the assembly ordered supplies, including nails.
Peale was just establishing himself as a major portrait painter in 1776 when he relocated from Maryland to Pennsylvania. A staunch patriot, he was elected to the State Assembly in 1779. The nails for which Peale requested £428 from Pennsylvania Treasurer Rittenhouse to pay Greiner were doubtlessly used during the renovation and repair of the State House. Peale's autograph is the rarest of the major American artists, particularly made desirable here with its association to Independence Hall and the Revolutionary War.
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