American Revolution
1775 Paul Revere Engraved "King Philip" Massachusetts 6% Loan Document - The First American Interest Bearing Bond Form Issued to Finance the Revolutionary War MA-1
August 15, 1775-Dated Revolutionary War Period, "Colony of the Massachusetts Bay," Paul Revere, Jr. Copper Plate Engraved and Printed, Native American Indian Chief "King Philip" Vignette Design, Treasury Loan Certificate Document for 5 at 6% Interest, Anderson MA-1, Choice Extremely Fine.
Rated as Rarity-6 in the Anderson reference (Very Rare 21-30 estimated known). This large format Engraved Printed Document is Signed, "Henry Gardner" (as Treasurer), measuring 7.75" x 6.5" having exceptional centering within four fully wide margins. Paul Revere, Jr's Silversmith Hand-engraving workmanship skill is impressively displayed in this historic and highly important piece of American Revolutionary War finance. This historic American Bond was printed off one of four copper plates which Paul Revere Engraved for the Massachusetts Bay Colony for a recorded payment of 50. This current example is among the finest quality known to us with most being locked away in museum and institutional collections.
Listed as Anderson MA-1 in his important Revolutionary War Era financial document reference titled: "THE PRICE OF LIBERTY" it is specially noted and important as being the very First Revolutionary War Finance Bond. This Paul Revere Engraved Loan Certificate was authorized by an extremely important Massachusetts Council Act which provided for the first financing for fighting the American Revolutionary War. These 1775 Paul Revere Engraved "King Philip" Massachusetts Bonds precede the authorization and printing of the Continental Congress Currency and all other Paul Revere Engraved Copper Plate Paper Money notes. They are considered immensely important in the fiscal history of America and the very founding of the United States.
Impressively printed, it is very even in rich black inking from an early plate state. The left end integral vignette cut of Native American Indian Chief "King Philip" in the left Indent border design, features his head and flowing robe to his moccasin on his feet in detail. Located above the Indian King's head is a vignette image of the "Sacred Codfish." The surrounding flourishes have a classic Revere style and character. The Patriot and Political words reading: "(Ame)rican Paper" are printed directly underneath the left side Indent border, as a direct deliberate "challenge" to the British. The "CMB" script monogram on this Bond represents "Colony of the Massachusetts Bay."
This Bond is very clean, completely original, and problem-free being well printed with sharp clear details on quality period laid paper. An early Interest Payment Notation reading "Four years Interest paid" is handwritten within two vertical penned straight lines. The vignettes on the engraved plate on the left side of this note, depicts the "Sacred Codfish" above the proud image of the historic Native American Indian Chief, "King Philip." Four signatures appear on this note. Daniel Hopkins and Henry Gardner are in deep vivid brown ink, with Samuel Phillips, Jr. in red and Edward Rawson written in light blue. This particular example is also noted and endorsed on its blank reverse side as being paid in: "Gold and Silver Notes"! This "King Philip" Bond by Paul Revere is considered a critical highlight Document for collectors of Paul Revere Engravings, American Fiscal History and/or Revolutionary War specialists with strong ties to American Colonial Currency.
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Title: "PAUL REVERE'S ENGRAVINGS," by Clarence S. Brigham, published for the American Antiquarian Society 1954 and 1969 2nd Revised Edition, "King Philip" Bond Type Illustrated on page 215, as plate 73.
Title: "The Entertaining History of King Philip's War: which began in the month of June, 1675: also of expeditions more lately made against the common enemy and Indian rebels in the eastern parts of New-England: with some account of the Divine Providence towards Col. Benjamin Church." Author: Benjamin Church. Entertaining passages relating to Philip's War. "And now my great age requiring my dismission from service in the militia, and to put off my armour, I am willing that the great and glorious works of almighty God, to us children of men, should appear to the world; and having my minutes by me, my son has taken the care and pains to collect from them the ensuing narrative ... . To the reader, Signed (p. iv): Benjamin Church. Portraits of Benjamin Church (i.e. Charles Churchill) and King Philip engraved by Paul Revere.