 MARYLAND. Maryland State Colonization Society. 5 Cents. Baltimore. Novem., 1837. No imprint. Printed on light pink wove paper. Lithographed dark orange counters and end panels. Tobacco leaf between two '5' counters. Obligation 'at the Government Store in Harper, Maryland in Liberia, Africa in payment for goods.' Kelly/Shank/Gordon 5.119.1; Rarity 6 (Money & Banking in Maryland...:Part II A Catalogue oF Maryland's Paper Money 1790-1865: Maryland Historical Society, 1996). Signed by J[ohn]. H.B. Latrobe as President of the Society. The left signature was added after the note was sent to Liberia and no notes are known to our knowledge with the proper combination of double signatures.
A very historic issue and a significant Anti-Slavery piece. The Society was formed in 1832 and was part of an initial ''Back to Africa'' movement for freed America slaves. Liberia had been founded in 1822 and had its capitol named Monrovia after then President James Monroe. We have handled only one example of this issue in recent memory and that was in our Americana Sale five years ago. That 5 Cents note came from the Western Reserve Historical Society Collection and is now well ensconced in a major collection that probably will not be sold for thirty or more years. There are some very minor edge nicks and handling on the edge, only in a few places. The note is crisp and vivid and is Choice About Uncirculated. Certainly among the finest.
The note issue was later ''reprinted'' from new plates (there are subtle differences) for use in a monograph by Latrobe in 1883. They are printed on a heavy pink bond paper with ''CRANE & CO. etc.'' watermark. They are not deceptive and the partial and complete remainders from the 1837 period are clearly different.
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