AMERICANA 50 Exceptional original manuscript document in a secretarial hand, a deed conveying to “Peter Baker a certain tract of land called ‘Baker’s Delight’ situate[d] in Antrim Township Franklin County,” boldly signed by Benjamin Franklin as President of Pennsylvania, countersigned by Secretary Charles Biddle, and with the fragile paper seals of Pennsylvania present and intact. Franklin was not only the state’s president, but also a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, convened in Philadelphia on May 25 of this year. Franklin is the only Founding Father to be signatory to all four key documents in America’s founding: the Declaration of Independence, Treaty of Paris, Treaty of Alliance with France and the U.S. Constitution. Franklin served as President of Pennsylvania from October 1785 to October 1788. It is in that capacity that he signed this document. The original fragile, ornate, eight-pointed star paper seal is present, faintly embossed with the seal of Pennsylvania. Docketed on verso with two additional embossed paper seals affixed. Fold lines, a bit of toning to vellum. Star seal at top left is missing one point, and most points have folds. Franklin signature bold and clear. 56FRANKLIN, Benjamin. Manuscript document signed. Philadelphia, March 12, 1788. Single sheet of vellum, 15-3/4 by 13-1/2 inches, writing on recto, with fragile paper seal, framed with portrait. $34,000 Rare Land Grant Document Signed By Benjamin Franklin
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