Robert Navarré (1739-1791). Early Detroit merchant; DS, 2pp, folio, Detroit in the Province of Quebec, March 31, 1781. Also signed by T.Williams (twice) and David White as witnesses; George Hoffman as the recorder of deeds, and in 1783 by William Edgar transferring his part of the land to Alexander and William Macomb.

Extremely early and interesting period for a Detroit document signed during the Revolutionary War while the city was still part of Canada (Quebec). It transfers from Navarré acting as "Guardian to the heirs of the late Jacques Desbuttes McMartin" three hundred and twenty acres of land "...situate and lying on the North side of the River Detroit, of four acres or arpents in breadth & Eighty acres or arpents in depth..." The property was sold to Alexander Macomb (1748-1831), the father of General Alexander Macomb (1782-1841) commanding General of the United States Army from 1828-1841, his brother William Macomb, William Edgar, all merchants and land speculators in the Detroit area.

$3,500

Three page ALS of Thomas Coit to John Boardman, Savannah, Georgia, December 15, 1799. With integral leaf addressed to Boardman in Troy, NY, bearing a New York "clamshell" postmark, a red manuscript rate marking "Sh 19" and a notation, "Via N York p Brig Belosa" in lower left corner. One hole affecting a few letters, overall fine.

A long description of an important American southern city from an original unpublished correspondence. Coit mentions the trip from New York and the "rear of the Fever- it has been terribly severe this season- very few have escaped an attack of it & an alarming proportion have died..." He goes on to describe Savannah; reads in part, "...As for Savannah geographical proportions of it are much more intelligent than any one. I would give the sandy streets are more fatiguing to walk in than your snow half big deep.- the houses with some exceptions are without neatness, elegance or taste & too frequently without convenience. Their meats & vegetables bad in the extreme & it native inhabitants dissipated, indolent, and tyranical.- From these observations suppose you will infer that I am guided by prejudice & that I am homesick but can assure you have passed the time much more to my satisfaction than had expected. The fame of this place for business has induced adventurers from all of Europe & America & here are men of Genius information & good manners from all parts of Great Britain & America, beside those of different descriptions indeed perhaps no place of equal magnitude on the face of the Globe exhibits human nature in a greater variety of forms or gives a more universal view from the Civilian to the Savage...As to the business of this country its at present quite overdone. - The quantities of good brought in here this season is astonishing. It is said far beyond a years supply--they are getting (into) the habit of importing their goods from Europe.- Many very Capital Cargoes have arrived this season. Europeans of respectable connections at home are establishing themselves here continually.- & Cotton being a better article of remittance than any other article of American Produce will render remittances first- of course establish their credit.-The adventurers from the Northward are very numerous. Articles of Grocery fell at perhaps about as great a profit as at Troy ..." He goes on to give prices of tobacco, cotton, and flour.

$875

Broadside, 1p, tall folio,470 x 285 mm, no date but printed in Boston in 1826. Titled, Funeral Thoughts Excited by the Death of JOHN ADAMS and THOS. JEFFERSON on the Fourth of July, 1826, The Jubilee of Independence.Bears the imprint at bottom of Howe & Norton, Printers, 14, State Street, Boston. Text in two columns within a fancy woodcut border. In an amazingly fresh original state with large margins; one small repaired tear, lower right, not affecting text, plus a few flattened creases.

On July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of American Independence, in one of the great historic coincidences, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died. Adams, not knowing that Jefferson died hours earlier uttered his famous final words from his deathbed, "Thomas Jefferson survives". Curiously, the broadside is peppered with Old Testament biblical quotes including a loosely translated first question asked at the Passover Seder: What mean ye by this service? In researching this incredible broadside I could only find one other example, that in the collection of the Library of Congress.

$9,500

Broadside Printing of the Constitution in 1846
Constitution of the United States (USA, 1789 - 1846)

Constitution of the United States. Broadside, 27 5/16 x 20 inches. Hand colored; published by H.Phelps, N.Y. Magnificent hand colored lithographic borders. Minor creasing and marginal wear.

$1,750

Three page letter of Elisa Smith from Rutland, VT, April 19, 1814, to Clarissa Boardman in Troy, New York. Bears a black circular "Rutland, VT" postmark and a manuscript "10" in upper right corner of address leaf.

Interesting description of American forces in Canada during the War of 1812 while the writer was on a trip. Read in part: "On the 13th of Feby I set out on a tour of St.Armands in Canada to visit Aunt Lester, my cousin Charles, & Maria. Arrived there the 16th...On the 23rd March Col.Clark better known as Old Rifle came there with five hundred American troops. The next day arrived Genl MacComb with 800 men and made all persons prisoners of war they could catch, but few were confined and sent into the States. Cousin Charles escaped after they came into the village. Genl MacComb I am told sustains a fair character abroad but I am sorry to say his conduct while there was very unlike that of an honorable soldier. There was no British troops stationed at the Bay- consequently, they had no resistance, and seemed to think they had performed as great a feat as the British would to conquer the whole United States.

The situation of St.Armand is truly delightful in summer it must be pleasant indeed. You have probably heard of the murder of Green which was committed by Anthony. How shocking. Yet another event more so took place in this village on Thursday morning, a short time previous to the hour appointed for the execution of Anthony---hung himself within the dungeon in the gaol- while his guard were absent to breakfast. Experiments were made to restore him to life but in vain.- He was afterwards brought on to the green and exposed to...an agitated multitude some say 7000- so many bawled out ' Anthony has April fooled us' - Disappointed some vexed, swore, drank, laughed, fiddled, danced, and some sang.- About 300 militia in arms adding their maneuvering and musick..."

The writer finally devotes a full page to recipes for "Durable Ink" and "An Elegant Varnish".

$950