[Revolutionary War]. George Washington Franking Signature to Col. George Baylor. 11" x 7.5" (sight), [Head Quarters, Valley Forge]; May 1, 1778. Signed by Washington at the lower left corner, "Go: Washington", and addressed entirely in his hand "To Colo George Baylor / 3rd Regt. Light Dragoons / Frederiksberg / Virginia." In the upper right corner is written "On public Service" with "May 1st. 1778" along the left edge. Remnant of a red wax seal, with impression still visible, near the lower edge. Docketed on verso. It is matted, framed, and double-glazed with an engraving of General Washington titled, "Gen. Washington (on the battle field at Trenton) / engraved by W. Warner from the original picture by Col. John Trumbull in possession of Yale College N. Haven." Philadelphia: J. Dainty & Flagg & Co., circa 1845. The overall size is 32" x 49.75". Not examined outside of the frame. Col. George Baylor (1752-1784) originally served as an aide-de-camp to Washington in 1775, who favored him enough to select Baylor to deliver the news of the Battle of Trenton to the Continental Congress. He was later appointed to command the 3rd Regiment of Light Dragoons as a colonel in 1777. However, early on September 28, 1778, the British Brigadier General Charles "No Flint" Grey, thanks to a tipoff from some of the numerous Tories living in the surrounding area, fell upon the 3rd Regiment while they were sleeping and ordered his men to attack using only bayonets. The losses were extreme and the event became known as the Baylor Massacre. Col. Baylor sustained extensive injuries to his lungs from which he never fully recovered; he died November 9, 1784 due to complications from the wounds he sustained that day. Condition: Soiled and rubbed with loss along the top margin from seal removal. Engraving is toned and rubbed with some minor edgewear and two closed tears along left edge. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $300,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $300,001 and $3,000,000, plus 12.5% of any amount over $3,000,001 per lot.