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Lot #5036
Daniel Boone Autograph Document Signed for the Purchase of a Boat

Daniel Boone buys a boat—a rare handwritten 1787 document by the legendary frontiersman

Estimate: $15000+

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Server Time: 8/25/2026 07:59:55 AM EDT
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Description

Daniel Boone buys a boat—a rare handwritten 1787 document by the legendary frontiersman

ADS signed "Daniel Boone," one page, 8 x 3.25, October 31, 1787. Handwritten promissory, in full: "I promis to pay to the governor or order the Sum of 25 pounds for a Bote rc'd of Capt. John Juitt." Prominently signed at the conclusion in ink by Daniel Boone. Attractively mounted, double-cloth-matted, and framed with an engraved portrait and plaque to an overall size of 17.5 x 21.75. In fine condition, with intersecting folds and a couple small edge chips.

In 1787, Boone lived in Maysville, Kentucky, where he was a tavern keeper, surveyor, land speculator, and recently-elected member of the Virginia State Assembly. He was prosperous, owning seven slaves and 100,000 acres of land at the time of this document. This promissory note was most likely for the keelboat Boone purchased for a business venture he would conduct the following year. In the spring of 1788, he loaded a large shipment of 12 tons of ginseng on the vessel and set out for Philadelphia where it was to be shipped to China. The boat was damaged on the way and much of the ginseng ruined, resulting in a financial loss for Boone. An extremely scarce signed document, as rare as it is desirable.

Auction Info






This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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