VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE POSTMASTER'S COMMISSION IN 1775, SIGNED BY BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AS SOLE POSTMASTER GENERAL OF THE UNITED COLONIES, PRIOR TO THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

In 1737 Benjamin Franklin became postmaster of Philadelphia under the British Parliamentary postal system. In 1753 he was appointed as one of two Deputy Postmasters General for the colonies. He held this post until January 1774, spending much of his time in England.

According to http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-11-02-0001 , on May 29, 1775, the Continental Congress appointed a committee of six members, of whom Franklin was named first, "to consider the best means of establishing posts for conveying letters and intelligence through this continent." The committee reported on July 25 and, after considering the report the next day, Congress voted to appoint a postmaster general with power to name a secretary and comptroller and such deputies as he thought proper and necessary.

Abraham Hunt was the principal merchant of Trenton and supported the American war for independence. Hunt was host to the Hessian Colonel Rall on Christmas eve before Washington’s surprise attack in 1776, a military success that greatly boosted the American's morale. Hunt's pledge of loyalty to the crown subjected him to accusations that he was a traitor to the Americans, but his actions proved his true patriotic character.

This commission, issued under the authority of the United Colonies, is very similar in wording to the commission offered in the previous lot, but has all references to the crown removed.

Ex Theodore Sheldon, an attorney who was an early member of the Collectors Club of Chicago.

Benjamin Franklin. Signatures "B Franklin" and "John Foxcroft" as Deputy Postmasters General of the Colonies at bottom of part-printed Postmaster's Commission appointing Abraham Hunt of Trenton N.J. to the position of postmaster, dated January 10, 1764, with reference to "the fourth year of HIS MAJESTY's Reign", titled "BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, and JOHN FOXCROFT, Esquires, Post-Masters-General of all His Majesty's Provinces and Dominions on the Continent of NORTH AMERICA", part of document affirms the appointee's "good Testimony of the Fidelity, and Loyalty to His Majesty", virtually intact red wax seal at upper left, some slight overall foxing

VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE POSTMASTER'S COMMISSION IN 1764, SIGNED BY BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AND JOHN FOXCROFT, SERVING THE KING OF ENGLAND AS JOINT DEPUTY POSTMASTERS GENERAL FOR THE AMERICAN COLONIES.

In 1737 Benjamin Franklin became postmaster of Philadelphia under the British Parliamentary postal system. In 1753 he was appointed as one of two Deputy Postmasters General for the colonies. He held this post until January 1774, spending much of his time in England.

According to http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-11-02-0001 , Abraham Hunt was the principal merchant of Trenton and supported the American war for independence. Hunt was host to the Hessian Colonel Rall on Christmas eve before Washington’s surprise attack in 1776, a military success that greatly boosted the American's morale. Hunt's pledge of loyalty to the crown subjected him to accusations that he was a traitor to the Americans, but his actions proved his true patriotic character.

This commission, issued under British Parliamentary administration, has several references to the authority of England, most notably that Franklin and Foxcroft "received good testimony of the Fidelity, and Loyalty to His Majesty," and also the reference to the "Year of HIS MAJESTY's Reign." In contrast, the 1775 commission offered in the following lot, while very similar in wording, omits all reference to the crown and instead notes having received "good Testimony of the Fidelity and public Spirit" of Abraham Hunt. The 1775 commission is signed by Benjamin Franklin alone; Foxcroft was a Loyalist.

Ex Theodore Sheldon, an attorney who was an early member of the Collectors Club of Chicago. (Image)

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