 Colony of the Massachusetts Bay. June 20, 1775. 6% Interest Bearing Loan per the June 24, 1774 (23rd Year of Reign of George III) 'Act for ascertaining the Rates at which coined Silver and Gold, English Halfpence and Farthings, may pass within this Government'. No.291. Anderson/Smythe-MA-1 (High Rarity 6, 13-20 known). Type of Brigham Plate 73 (page 215). Numbered, dated, fully issued and redeemed. Three committee signatures at left of S.[amuel], M.[oses] Gunn, and Lem.[uel] Kollock. Witness signature by Henry Gardner, signer of ''Copper Plate'' notes. His signature with small red pen cancel. Issued to Daniel Sacket for Nine Pounds. Printed on laid (''American Paper'') paper, light watermark visible at center. 176mm by 191mm.
Engraved copper plate and ornate cut at left by Paul Revere. Titles at top with 'Massachusetts' in ornate Gothic. Outlined date '1775' in white on black oval (identical to ''Copper Plate'' notes). Large border cut at left end of King Phillip the Indian with a codfish at top. Below, 'American Paper'. A superbly rendered Revere cut and an awesome image of Americana. This was one of four plates Revere engraved for the Colony for a payment of £50. An awesome certificate and impressive presentation.
Choice Very Fine. Uniformly toned to a light brownish tan hue. The paper quality is superb with the certificate once folded into eighths. Redeemed and with two countersignatures on the verso upper right. A small pencil check mark at the lower left corner of the back (Boyd mark?, similar to the previous bond). The Rarity 6 rating in Anderson is accurate since the American Antiquarian Society reportedly has ten examples of different dates and denominations (Brigham, page 214). However, in private hands this bond is much rarer by far.
We have only seen one xerox copy of a bond (offered through Dick Picker decades ago privately) and the plate bond illustrated in the Anderson reference. This is the first example we have catalogued or seen in person. A wonderful Revere fiscal document that displays a great aura of Massachusetts history at the onset of Bunker Hill and the events that followed. This is an essential companion piece to any serious collection of Revere engraved and printed fiscal documents or engraved paper Americana. An extremely important and Very Rare opportunity.
Ex F.C.C. Boyd Estate.
Brigham in his reference Paul Revere's Engravings (1969, Atheneum-New York) refers to the left vignette as a patriot with staff and liberty cap.
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