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Estimate Range: $800 - $1,000
Current Bidding Status
This Lot is CLOSED for Absentee Bidding.
Stephen Decatur 1818 Letter Signed Regarding Advertisements for Mattresses for the U.S. Navy with “wool or hair mattrasses, instead of moss or cattail"

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STEPHEN DECATUR (1779-1820). United States Naval Officer; Joined the Navy at age 19 as a Midshipman in 1798; Served with Distinction in the Quasi-War with France, both Barbary Wars and the War of 1812; He became a national hero for leading the raiding party into Tripoli harbor in 1804 to burn the captured USS "Philadelphia"; Served as a Navy Commissioner, 1816-1820; Killed in a duel with Commodore James Barron.

December, 1818-Dated Letter Signed, "Stephen Decatur" as Navy Commissioner, 1 page, measuring 7-7/8" x 9-3/4", Fine. This Letter giving instructions on Advertisements to be placed in newspapers for proposals to contract with the Navy, noting also that:

"The Board will receive proposals for furnishing wool or hair mattrasses, instead of moss or cattail" and adds that "It is not necessary to publish the signature to this note".

Written in rich brown ink on wove period paper with "A 1816" watermark. There is a 7" long diagonal tear at top right, reinforced from the blank reverse with old stamp hinge paper as shown. Boldly Signed, "Stephen Decatur" in deep brown ink measuring 2.75” long.

Provenance: Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc. Sale No. 4387, Lot No. 896 with its original Sotheby’s printed folio.

Provenance: Collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II
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Estimate Range: $800 - $1,000
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