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V28 2025 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 28, Number 46, 2025, Article 20

EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY NOV. 22, 2025 SALE

Here are several selections from the upcoming Early American History Auctions sale. -Garrett

Early American History Nov. 22, 2025 Sale Item 1 Obverse JOHN NIXON (1733-1808). Brigadier General, On July 8, 1776 Patriot John Nixon made the very First Public Proclamation Reading of the Declaration of Independence, read from the steps of the Pennsylva Early American History Nov. 22, 2025 Sale Item 1 Reverse JOHN NIXON (1733-1808). Brigadier General, On July 8, 1776 Patriot John Nixon made the very First Public Proclamation Reading of the Declaration of Independence, read from the steps of the Pennsylva

JOHN NIXON (1733-1808). Brigadier General, On July 8, 1776 Patriot John Nixon made the very First Public Proclamation Reading of the Declaration of Independence, read from the steps of the Pennsylvania State House, General George Washington's Aide-de-Camp; Financier and Official Director of of the Bank of North America of Philadelphia, who served as a Militia Officer in the American Revolutionary War, and Chairman of the Committee of Safety. March 1, 1769, Province of Pennsylvania, Three Pounds / Sixty Shillings dual denomination, Plate B, Colonial Current Indented Bill. Fr. PA-133, PCGS graded Very Fine-25. Small Edge Repair as noted and illustrated, printed on rag period paper, Signed by "J. Nixon", "Tho. Wharton", and "Jos. Richardson".

This two-sided currency note measures 88mm x 72mm and was Printed by David Hall and William Sellers at Benjamin Franklin's previously owned print shop in Philadelphia. Printed Leaves design on back with text, "To Counterfeit Is Death". "Pennsilvania" spelling error in its typeset text. Evenly worn with slightly rounded corners, printed with lively inking and strong vivid handwritten signatures. A very elusive note in any grade. Choice in eye appeal, and equally choice for the grade (or better). Pedigree: Ex F.C.C. Boyd Estate; Stacks sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XV, October, 2006 Lot 8542.

To read the complete item description, see:
JOHN NIXON (1733-1808). Brigadier General, On July 8, 1776 Patriot John Nixon made the very First Public Proclamation Reading of the Declaration of Independence, read from the steps of the Pennsylvania State House, General George Washington's Aide-de-Camp; Financier and Official Director of of the Bank of North America of Philadelphia, who served as a Militia Officer in the American Revolutionary War, and Chairman of the Committee of Safety. (https://www.earlyamerican.com/Auctions/ClientPages/lots.item.php?auction=11&lot=20&r=972360458)

Early American History Nov. 22, 2025 Sale Item 2 Obverse Stephen Martin-Leake, Author, Reference Book titled: Early American History Nov. 22, 2025 Sale Item 2 Reverse Stephen Martin-Leake, Author, Reference Book titled:

Stephen Martin-Leake, Author, Reference Book titled: "An Historical Account of English Money, From the Conquest to the Present Time; Including Those of Scotland, From the Accession of James I to the Union of the Two Kingdoms." Second Edition, London, Complete, Fine. Stephen Martin-Leake (1702-1773) Author, was the English Clarenceux King of Arms, and later the Garter Principal King of Arms, from 30 November 1741 to 19 December 1754 (promoted). The Clarencieux is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. Clarenceux is the senior of the two provincial Kings of arms, and his jurisdiction is that part of England south of the River Trent. Leake was also a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.

A rare, historically significant Numismatic Reference, fully titled: "An Historical Account of English Money from the Conquest, to the Present Time, Including Those of Scotland, the the Union of the Two Kingdoms in King James I. - The Second Edition, With great Additions and Improvements, Tables of GOLD and SILVER MONEY, and Six New Cuts. (plates) - By Stephen Martin-Leake, Esq; Clarenceux King of Arms. - London: Printed for W. Meadows, at the Angel in Cornhill. - M.DCC.XLV (1745)." Book has 428 pages, plus Two Tables: "English Silver Coins" and "English Gold Coins" with 14 drawn and engraved Coin Illustration plates. This copy is in pleasing clean condition, complete with its original leather boards worn from use present yet detached. Prior owner's name written in ink on the Title Page which also has some mild edge tone, apparently transferred from the front cover, and has a trivial .5" top edge split. Deaccessioned Ex: Woburn, Massachusetts Public Library with Book Plate. An important, beautifully written, very extensive reference work that is lacking in most institutional and private library collections.

An illustrated 2nd edition of this detailed work on the history of English coins, Illustrated with fourteen engraved descriptive plates of the coins of the realm. The work was first published under the title, "Nummi Britannici Historia: or an Historical Account of English Money." It is an exceedingly rare early reference book on English, Scottish and related Numismatics, this complete copy in its updated and expanded 2nd edition. We could only locate one copy, a later issued 3rd edition highly defective torn copy dated to "1793" (48 years later) available for purchase at a London Numismatic firm. Our current offering is in vastly superior quality and is apparently the best library edition.

Stephen Martin-Leake was born Stephen Martin, the son of a naval officer from Essex; his maternal uncle, Admiral Sir John Leake, left his estate to Martin's parents on the condition that they adopt his surname, which they did in 1721.

Despite this and work at the Navy Office, the family lost out in the South Seas crash and Leake was forced to find employment. After joining the Society of Antiquaries and publishing Nummi Britannici historia, he joined the college as Lancaster Herald in 1727 and was promoted to Norroy in 1729; after serving as Clarenceux, he was promoted to Garter King of Arms in 1754.

Leake was less interested in genealogy than the rights and history of the heralds; he petitioned for the college to have a monopoly on the researching of arms and unsuccessfully tried to revive the visitations, a proposal which Anstis and the government opposed.

He also opened the college's register for Dissenting and Jewish births and carried out two Garter missions. On his death, his collections passed to his brother and were eventually bought by the college.

To read the complete item description, see:
Stephen Martin-Leake, Author, Reference Book titled: "An Historical Account of English Money, From the Conquest to the Present Time; Including Those of Scotland, From the Accession of James I to the Union of the Two Kingdoms." Second Edition, London, Complete, Fine. (https://www.earlyamerican.com/Auctions/ClientPages/lots.item.php?auction=11&lot=37&r=1205238107)

Early American History Nov. 22, 2025 Sale Item 3 Obverse c. 1790 Anti-Slavery Hard Times Token with legends: Early American History Nov. 22, 2025 Sale Item 3 Reverse c. 1790 Anti-Slavery Hard Times Token with legends:

c. 1790 Anti-Slavery Hard Times Token with legends: "Am I Not A Man And A Brother." and "May Slavery & Oppression Cease Throughout The World England", D&H 1039, Choice Lustrous About Mint State. A flashy mostly lustrous example with a lettered edge "Bedroth / Birmingham / Swansea", with excellent centering and eye appeal having a somewhat uneven strike and slight rub on the highest point of the Chained Slave's shoulder.

To read the complete item description, see:
c. 1790 Anti-Slavery Hard Times Token with legends: "Am I Not A Man And A Brother." and "May Slavery & Oppression Cease Throughout The World England", D&H 1039, Choice Lustrous About Mint State. (https://www.earlyamerican.com/Auctions/ClientPages/lots.item.php?auction=11&lot=163&r=937553647)

Early American History Nov. 22, 2025 Sale Item 4 Obverse 1838-Dated, Black History Anti-Slavery Token with Legend, Early American History Nov. 22, 2025 Sale Item 4 Reverse 1838-Dated, Black History Anti-Slavery Token with Legend,

1838-Dated, Black History Anti-Slavery Token with Legend, "Am I Not A Woman & A Sister" and "1838 United States Of America / Liberty 1838", LOW 54 R1, HT-81, Dewitt CE 1838-19, Choice Extremely Fine. Struck in Copper this highly popular token displays a Black African American Woman shackled in Chains on the obverse, with "Liberty 1838" on its reverse side. Nice copper color with some light scratches from use in commerce. Plain edge and well centered.

To read the complete item description, see:
1838-Dated, Black History Anti-Slavery Token with Legend, "Am I Not A Woman & A Sister" and "1838 United States Of America / Liberty 1838", LOW 54 R1, HT-81, Dewitt CE 1838-19, Choice Extremely Fine. (https://www.earlyamerican.com/Auctions/ClientPages/lots.item.php?auction=11&lot=164&r=937553647)

Early American History Nov. 22, 2025 Sale Item 5 Obverse 1884-Dated, Rare Johns Hopkins University Studies Reference Booklet, Second Series, titled, Early American History Nov. 22, 2025 Sale Item 5 Reverse 1884-Dated, Rare Johns Hopkins University Studies Reference Booklet, Second Series, titled,

1884-Dated, Rare Johns Hopkins University Studies Reference Booklet, Second Series, titled, "Indian Money as a Factor in New England Civilization," Very Fine. An important 51 page Johns Hopkins University Studies Booklet on precisely "Indian Money as a Factor in New England Civilization". It is printed in Baltimore, by the Publication Agency of the Johns Hopkins University, in 1884. The covers are heavily chipped on the outer edges, not affecting any of the central printed text, untrimmed pages, while the contents in excellent condition, the pages being untrimmed. This title sold for 50, which was a rather huge sum in 1884. Rare edition.

To read the complete item description, see:
1884-Dated, Rare Johns Hopkins University Studies Reference Booklet, Second Series, titled, "Indian Money as a Factor in New England Civilization," Very Fine. (https://www.earlyamerican.com/Auctions/ClientPages/lots.item.php?auction=11&lot=166&r=937553647)

Early American History Nov. 22, 2025 Sale Item 6 Obverse (1876) Wood's Museum Copper Token with Early American History Nov. 22, 2025 Sale Item 6 Reverse (1876) Wood's Museum Copper Token with

(1876) Wood's Museum Copper Token with "Libertas Americana Jul 1776" Obverse, Rulau Pa-Ph 503, Plain Edge, PCGS Gold Shield graded AU-58. 26 mm. (Population-1, Pop Higher-3). Very attractive.

To read the complete item description, see:
(1876) Wood's Museum Copper Token with "Libertas Americana Jul 1776" Obverse, Rulau Pa-Ph 503, Plain Edge, PCGS Gold Shield graded AU-58. (https://www.earlyamerican.com/Auctions/ClientPages/lots.item.php?auction=11&lot=204&r=2140768973)

Garrett Mid-American E-Sylum ad10 Time to Sell



Wayne Homren, Editor

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To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com

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