Beschreibung:

WASHINGTON, George, President . Autograph free frank ("G o:Washington") as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, on an address panel from a letter addressed in the hand of Benjamin Walker, Washington's Aide-de-camp, TO BENJAMIN HARRISON (1726?-1791), Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Governor of Virginia, n.p., [1782-1783], 1 page, oblong 4to, 167 x 229 mm. (6 5/8 x 9 in.), WITH A FINE IMPRESSION OF WASHINGTON'S FAMILY CREST IN RED WAX (DIAMETER 28 MM.) ON RECTO, in giltwood frame , very fine. WASHINGTON'S REVOLUTIONARY WAR FREE FRANK. A free franked address panel for a letter to a key Virginia patriot. During this period, while virtually no fighting took place, Washington remained in camp with the Continental army as peace negotiations which would certify American independence continued in Paris. Harrison (1726(?)-1791), a signer of the Declaration of Independence and father and great grandfather to two United States presidents, became governor of Virginia in November of 1781. Washington is known to have written Harrison during the latter's war-time governorship on at least 19 occasions; only six of these were written in the hand of Benjamin Walker (see Fitzpatrick, Writings of Washington , vol,23-26.) The seal is a fine representation of Washington's family arms which portray, "a shield, argent , two bars gules , in chief three mulletts of the second." (see Charles Arthur Hoppin, The Washington Ancestry , 1932). The crest is flanked by a wheat sheaf, vines and flowers. The crest and arms are commonly found on Washington's wax seals, while a version with a standing raven is used on the President's engraved bookplates.