I purchased this one from an antiquarian book--and all sorts of interesting things on paper--dealer based in the Albany area, at a very good antiques show where I found not a single other thing I felt like committing to. Of course I'm always looking for beautifully executed early penmanship examples, which this very much is (look at details; what a lot of strokes of the pen--on each letter!--and quite a reminder of why everyone was forced to write with their right hand, as it would inevitable by smeared to a blur if written with the left!). This one's really all about the content though--lettering out an excerpt of Benjamin Franklin's concluding remarks at the end of the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, from which the American Constitution emerged, to be ratified by the states two years later. The concerns Franklin expressed, of the potential for abuse of power, have been much cited of late, making these words, and this old careful penning of them (c. 1830s or so, I believe) feel especially poignant.
Much of the strength and efficiency
of any government depends on the gener-
al opinion of the goodness of that govern-
ment as well as of the wisdom and integrity
of its governors. I expect no better and because
I am not sure that this is not the best
The opinions I have had of its
errors I sacrifice to the public good.
Paper folded in half into a booklet of sorts (as shown): 8 1/4" x 6 3/4". Additional penmanship on each of the four sides, including sweet little bird and branches, and "George Washington Statesman and Warrior."Pale blue paper, stains and toning as evident, ink strong and completely readable. Paper not fragile or brittle.
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