Auction details
8:00 AM PT - Nov 16th, 2008
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Autographs
Superb Andrew Johnson Presidential Appointment of George Bancroft as Ambassador to the King of Prussia ANDREW JOHNSON, President of the United States. (GEORGE BANCROFT), US Ambassador to the United Kingdom (1846-49), US Secretary of War Acting (1845), Secretary of the Navy Mar-1845 to Sep-1846, under James Knox Polk, Ambassador to Prussia (1867-68) and Ambassador to Germany (1868-74), Historian and Author. Manuscript Document Signed, "Andrew Johnson" as President, dated May 25, 1868, Extremely Fine. This is the original Presidential Appointment of George Bancroft as Ambassador to the King of Prussia. It is beautifully scripted in deep brown ink on the front of four pages of off-white quality wove paper, measuring approximately 17" tall by 11" wide. The title and header are magnificent, being vivid sharp and bold. There is a full, bright white and completely original, deeply embossed Great Seal of the United States at the lower left. The signature "Andrew Johnson" measures 4" long, with its flourish below, written in deep rich brown ink. There are two horizontal central folds from its original mailer. It has only some light handling, with traces which appear to be from prior sealing of its envelope or a mounting, on the reverse of the blank fourth page. It is of museum quality and would display well. The important personal history of George Bancroft is extremely well documented and his official appointment was made after his Antislavery work and service as a close adviser to President Abraham Lincoln. This impressive, original Andrew Johnson Presidential Appointment is easily the finest quality and most historic document signed by him that we have offered. GEORGE BANCROFT (1800-1891) was born at Worcester, Mass., October 3, 1800. He was early trained in an academy at Exeter; and at the age of thirteen he entered Harvard College. From this institution he graduated with distinction. Later he studied for two years in the University of Gottingen, Germany. Upon completing his studies in college. Bancroft entered the church, but his strong literary inclination prevailed, and he took up his pen. While in Europe he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. He also formed the acquaintance of Humboldt, and other noted men, and traveled over a great portion of Europe. Bancroft began to gather material for his "History of the Colonization of the United States." The three volumes of this part of his famous "History of the United States" appeared from 1834 to 1840. The work showed an energetic and lively style, and an occasional democratic prejudice. As a reward for the strong American tendencies of his thoughts, he was appointed collector of the port of Boston, in 1838, by President Van Buren. In 1844 his party ran him for governor of Massachusetts, and, although defeated, he received the largest vote ever before given by his state. While the canvass was progressing, he was absent from the state, engaged on his history. The standing which he had thus gained recommended him most favorably, and in 1845 President Polk made him Secretary of the Navy. In the succeeding year, his literary reputation secured for him the appointment as minister plenipotentiary to England. In 1849, while in England, Oxford conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. The period between 1849 and 1873 was interrupted by his appointment, in 1867, as minister to Prussia, in 1868, as minister to the German Confederation, and in 1871 as minister to the German Empire. Thus we see that he was appropriately honored by his countrymen. Early American will accept payment by check or credit card. ImagesClick on thumbnails to see larger images: 
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