Sold For $56,783
*Includes Buyers Premium
Revolutionary War-dated partly printed DS, signed "G: Washington," one page, 7.5 x 12.5, June 7, 1783. Continental Army military discharge headed “By His Excellency George Washington, Esq., General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.” In part: “These are to certify that the Bearer hereof Brampton Hitchcock, Matross in the 2nd New York Artillery Regiment, having faithfully served in the United States from the 10th April 1777, until the present period and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby Discharged from the American Army." Signed at the conclusion in ink by General George Washington and countersigned below by Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., Adjutant James Bradford, and Colonel John Lamn, with the latter awarding Hitchcock the Badge of Merit for “Six Years faithful Service.” Impressively double-matted and framed with a large portrait of Washington (bearing a preprinted signature) to an overall size of 26.5 x 22.25. In very good to fine condition, with some faint toning along the reinforced intersecting folds; Washington's signature is clear and dark.
As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, General Washington took it upon himself to organize and train his soldiers. By war's end, this highly disciplined and hands-on approach carried over into Washington insisting on signing every discharge certificate personally. According to Charles Hamilton’s, 'Collecting Autographs and Manuscripts,' Washington said: 'These soldiers have fought long and hard. I wish to sign the discharge for each man, so that he will leave the army knowing that I appreciate his work and that I have personally looked upon his name and testified to his honorable conduct.'
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$500.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
