George Washington: Rare Document/Diploma Signed "Society of the Cincinnati" Partially Printed on Vellum. Superior Washington Signature (1732-1799) Father of The Nation and the first President of the United States whose leadership as Commander of the Continental Army led Patriot Forces to victory during the American Revolution. He was also the first President General of the Society of the Cincinnati a fraternal, hereditary society founded in 1783 to commemorate the Revolutionary War. It was founded to perpetuate "the remembrance of this vast event, to preserve inviolate those exalted rights and liberties of human nature," and "to render permanent the cordial affection subsisting among the officers" of the Continental Army who served in the Revolutionary War. Considered one of the most beautiful documents or in this case diploma of the period. This particular diploma is issued to "Samuel Lewis Lieutenant in the late 1st New York Regiment. "In testimony of the President of the said Society I have hereunto set my Hand at Mount Vernon in the State of Virginia the Tenth Day of December in the year of our Lord Ont Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Five and in the Tenth Year of the Independence of the United State. Co-signed by Henry Knox as Secretary, what is outstanding is the size, clarity and boldness of George Washington's signature.
Document was trimmed along the borders and now measures 13.25 x 20" instead of 14 x 21.75". Including the board the overall dimensions are 16.5 x 22.5". It has been archivally mounted on acid free board. The information of the recipient, the days and date executed by a secretary in beautiful hand has faded somewhat to a light brown color but still very legible. The signatures by Washington and Knox have not discolored and are exceptional. It has been a number of years since Goldberg Auctions has had the privilege of auctioning an example of this diploma never mind in such wonderful condition.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 12,000
U.S. Presidents
