Extraordinary Revolutionary War–era partly-printed DS, signed “John Hancock Presid’t,” one page, 8 x 6.5, no date but circa 1776. Unissued warrant for an appointment to an office by “The Maritime Committee appointed by Congress, to equip and fit out the Fleet of the United States.” Most interestingly, the printed text reads “United Colonies,” with the second word struck through and replaced with “States.” Left blank and boldly signed at the conclusion by Hancock as president of the Continental Congress. In fine condition, with a small repaired area of paper loss to the right edge and a mounting strip on the reverse. A beautiful example of Hancock’s distinctive signature from the same period of the Declaration of Independence.
A small number of these documents are believed to have been printed in May or June 1776 to be used for commissioning the Continental Navy’s first officers. The term “United States” came into use following the Declaration of Independence in July 1776, and a Congressional resolution of September 9, 1776, dictated that ‘all continental commissions, and other instruments, where, heretofore, the words ‘United Colonies’ have been used, the stile be altered for the future to the ‘United States.’’ This document therefore dates to this period. Exceptionally bright and bold, this is a choice example from a most desirable date. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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