George Washington

George Washington

Document signed ("Go: Washington") as President of the Society of the Cincinnati, being a membership certificate for Abijah Savage, "Captain in the late Army of the United States."

Engraved broadside on vellum (15 5/8 x 21 in.), accomplished in a calligraphic clerical hand, Mount Vernon, 4 July 1786, conferring membership in the Society of the Cincinnati to Abijah Savage, "Captain in the late Army of the United States," countersigned by the Secretary of the Society ("HKnox"), engraved vignettes after a design by Pierre-Charles L'Enfant (as redrawn for engraving by Augustin-Louis La Belle), engraved by Jean-Jacques Andre Le Veau and depicting America in knight's armor trampling upon the British standard and the American eagle casting the British lion and Britannia out to sea with thunderbolts, the vignettes incorporating depictions of both sides of the medal of the Order of the Cincinnati within roundels; some light fading to the very legible signatures, a couple of tiny stains, minor chipping to lower right corner. Matted and framed in a handsome gilt frame.

Condition Report:
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Provenance:
Christie's New York, June 12, 2008, lot 122