Autographs
"Henry Middleton" Signed April 29th 1775 South Carolina Rare Fifty Pounds Colonial Note TEN DAYS After the Battle of Lexington & Concord, Continental Congress President
HENRY MIDDLETON (1717-1784). A "Founding Father" of the United States from South Carolina, President of the Continental Congress from South Carolina (1774-1774), Delegate to the Continental Congress (1774-1774), Signer on a rare South Carolina Currency issue in 1775, being the only available "Collectable" example of Henry Middleton's autograph.
Fr. SC-97.2. South Carolina, April 29, 1775-Dated, Fifty Pounds, Handwritten Date, Large Format Promissory Note, Signed "Henry Middleton", Certified by PMG as Genuine, Pen Cancelled and graded Fine-12. Henry Middleton (1717-1784) was the President of the Continental Congress, representing South Carolina. The only "collectable" and reasonably affordable examples of Henry Middleton's signature for autograph collectors. This rare series was issued for only two months, between April and May of 1775. This ornately engraved 50 South Carolina Currency "Promissory Note of Citizens" has a larger size format that measures about 4.5" x 6.25" and is of a unique style. There are a few minor marginal edge splits, however all its margins are fully wide for this issue, with all printed text and its ornate devices seen fully on the laid period paper. Listed in Eric Newman's reference "THE EARLY PAPER MONEY OF AMERICA", this Colonial South Carolina currency note is considered the only form available to acquire an example of Henry Middleton's autograph.
This historic Revolutionary War note issue was authorized to be Signed and Issued on April 18th, 1775. That date was that very night when the British Redcoats marched from Boston to be met the following morning at Lexington and Concord by Patriot Minutemen. April 19th, 1775 was the day of "the shot heard around the world" and the start of the American Revolutionary War.
Signed, "Henry Middleton" in deep dark brown ink with his huge signature measuring about 2.75" long and clearly readable beneath the manuscript cancel line. There are no other detractions noted by PMG on the engraved highly decorative reverse. We note some minor ink errosion along the centerfold, trivial pinholes and outer margin wear from circulation. Its design is exceptionally ornate, showing a display of a Crowned Rose, Thistle flanking Fleur-de-lis and a Harp printed on fresh clean paper having very pleasing eye appeal. The designs on both sides are clear and sharp, the printed text fully readable. All five signatures and the date are written in brown ink including: Henry Middleton, Roger Smith, Th.(omas) Lynch, M.(iles) Brewton, and B.(enjamin) Huger. The "key" signature of Henry Middleton is at top, a cancel line through his very large being nearly 3" long signature written above the others.
This note issue type is also illustrated in Charles Hamilton's classic reference book on collecting Autographs. This example is significantly finer in quality than the Newman illustration plate note (which also has a dark manuscript cancel line drawn across Middleton's name). The last similar example we offered was a 50 note, also with a dark manuscript cancel line running directly through "Henry Middleton" which sold our EAHA Auction June 3, 2016, Lot 2112, stating "Manuscript Cancelled" PCGS graded EF-40 which then sold for $4,800. This current note is worthy of a premium valuation per its April 29th, 1775 hand-written early Revolutionary War date.
These prominent signers' backgrounds and fates are integral to the history of the American Revolution.
Henry Middleton served briefly as the President of the Continental Congress but struggled with the concept of Independence.
Benjamin Huger was killed by friendly fire in 1779 while serving in the war.
Miles Brewton (along with his family) was lost at sea months after he signed this note, while traveling to Philadelphia to attend the Continental Congress.
Thomas Lynch, Sr. (1727-1776) was a successful planter from Charleston, South Carolina, important in having participated in many "key" events that shaped the American Revolution, including the 1765 Stamp Act Congress, 1774 First Continental Congress, and 1775 Second Continental Congress playing a key role in helping convince Congress to select George Washington as Commander-In-Chief of the American Army. Suffering a stroke that left him paralyzed, his son, Thomas Lynch, Jr. took his place and ultimately signed the Declaration of Independence representing South Carolina in 1776.