The Official Proclamation of Treaty of Paris Receives the Highest Bid At Sotheby’s
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At the recently held Sotheby’s sale, “Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana,’’ the ratification of the Treaty of Paris, titled “By the United States In Congress Assembled, A Proclamation … Annapolis: Printed By John Dunlap, Printer For The United
The Official Proclamation of Treaty of Paris Receives the Highest Bid At Sotheby’s
At the recently held Sotheby’s sale, “Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana,’’ the ratification of the Treaty of Paris, titled “By the United States In Congress Assembled, A Proclamation … Annapolis: Printed By John Dunlap, Printer For The United States In Congress Assembled,” became the highest grosser at the auction. This document was sold at a whopping price of USD 855,000 in lot 2086. The auction took place on January 24, 2019, in New York. Talking about the history of this official proclamation, the auction house reports, “Despite Thomas Mifflin's pleas that absent delegates attend Congress to ratify the definitive articles of peace signed at Paris, 3 September 1783, it was not until 13 January that nine states were represented in Congress. The next day they approved ratification at Annapolis, where timid delegates had adjourned in fear after riots by disgruntled soldiers in Philadelphia threatened their peace of mind in early November. The broadside carries the complete, official text of the articles agreed to in Paris, signed in type by David Hartley for Great Britain, and by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay for the United States.” The text of the Congress’ ratification of the treaty goes on as, “…WE THE United States in Congress assembled, having seen and duly considered the definitive articles aforesaid, did by a certain act under the seal of the United States, bearing date this 14th day of January 1784, approve, ratify and confirm the same and every part and clause thereof … and being sincerely disposed to carry the said articles into execution truly, honestly and with good faith … we have thought proper by these presents, to notify the premises to all the good citizens of these United States…” This document was printed at the order of the Congress by John Dunlap and was available for distribution by 16–17 January 1784. “The number printed and signed is not known, but this may be one of only two completed with the official seal in upper left corner and signed by Mifflin and Thomson. The only other recorded copy completed in this manner is in the National Archives. A few other copies have been located (in the Library of Congress, Clements Library, the Maryland State Archives, and some other repositories), but without the seal and signed only by Thomson,” mentioned Sotheby’s in their press release. https://www.blouinartinfo.com/ Founder: Louise Blouin Read more
