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 (New York City, 1775) "N* YORK* DEC:14".
Greenish-blue straightline handstamp struck on back of folded 1775 letter with matching "FREE" handstamp, datelined "Providence 4th of 12th Mo. 1775" (Dec. 4 Quaker date) to "Stephen Hopkins, in Congress at Philadelphia", sender's
directive "p fav of John Brown" (the sender's brother), letter written and signed by Moses Brown (prominent abolitionist, Quaker and a founder of Brown University, along with his brother and Hopkins) to his friend Hopkins asking him to
consider the ideas of reconciliation and peace and not to succumb to passions: "to be a Peace Maker hath been an Amiable part of thy Character, let nothing Tarnish it in the Decline of Life, the Torrent of Popular Applause is very Delusive, when
that is a motive to Action.", expert restoration where split along foldsVERY FINE STRIKE OF THE RARE GREENISH-BLUE NEW YORK CONGRESSIONAL POST STRAIGHTLINE ON A LETTER FROM A PROMINENT QUAKER BUSINESSMAN TO HIS FRIEND STEPHEN HOPKINS IN
PHILADELPHIA, ADVOCATING FOR PEACE DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. During the Siege of Boston, which was still underway in December 1775, Moses Brown coordinated the shipment of food to hungry civilians. When General Washington
denied him permission to cross the lines at Roxbury in July 1776, he travelled to Lynn, where he sent supplies to Boston via boat, with the permission of the British Navy. Over the course of the war, Moses and his associates would assist over six
thousand non-combatants from New Hampshire to Newport without regard to their loyalties. His own loyalty to the American cause was never questioned, and he remained close to his friend Hopkins throughout the war. At the time this letter was written,
Hopkins was busy organizing the Continental Navy. The Congressional Post was formed by the resolution of July 26, 1775, appointing Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General of the United States. The distinctive greenish-blue ink was used
by the New York post office in 1775 and 1776 after introduction of markings for the newly-created Congressional Post. A privately maintained census by Steven Walske records fewer than 15 examples of the greenish-blue straightline in private hands.
The example offered here, between two prominent figures of the time and with such interesting contents, is especially desirable -- Moses Brown letters are especially scarce. Letter opened flat for display. Typed transcript with historical
background accompanies (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com |
E. $ 2,000-3,000
SOLD for $3,750.00
Will close during Public Auction |
