July 4, 1776 was a great day in the history of United States. The declaration of Independence was signed and US saw the break of a new day. To commemorate that historical day, Cohasco the firm that specializes in rare documents is auctioning a striking manuscript document dated Philadelphia, July 4, 1776 on August 10.
The document housed in an older custom slipcase is estimated to be sold for $30,000-$45,000. Dated twice it is actually a manuscript petition to the Committee of Safety with thick flourish beneath one dateline. Signed by three noted patriots the document is a witness of great history.
Among those that signed the document are George Shaffer, a sergeant in Pennsylvania militia, Col. Samuel J. Atlee who was captured by the British just seven weeks after the petition and Col. Caleb Parry who was killed in action in the same battle.
Cohasco states that the possibility that this request may have been spurred on by the excitement of the day itself. George Shaffner did receive his commission in German Regiment and became one of its original officers. Also The Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania record that Shaffner was subsequently commissioned in Atlee’s Battalion of Musketry in August 1776.
The document was also published during the Centennial and its text appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer on Jan 13, 1876.
via cohascodpc
