Rare Autograph and Manuscript Auction
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This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/19/2015

Please note the new information on the payee!

ADS This incredible find is of extreme rarity! Benjamin Franklin check during his term as the 6th President of Pennsylvania, less than a month after signing the constitution.The check is made out to “ Cashier of the Bank Oct. 16, 1787,Payable to Mrs. Bache (Franklins Daughter Sally Bache) or Bearer, Twenty Dollars on Account of D20 , Benjamin Franklin”. We can find only one other check that has come to market in the last 30 years. The only example we could locate resides in the National Archives as part of the Smithsonian collection. It is intresting to note that Sarah Franklin "Sally"  Bache was the daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Deborah Read. She was a leader in relief work during the American Revolutionary War and frequently served as her father's political hostess, as her mother had died in 1774. She was the only surviving child from the couple.

According to research done on the use of the marbleized paper which he had made specialy for himself in France,  Franklin had created the the marbled polychrome paper deter counterfeiting. He furnished this same paper for some extremely rare and valuable 1775 continental currency notes; and used a similar marbled paper for the United States loan certificates made near Paris to finance the late stages of the American Revolution and in our example and the one in the Smithsonian he used it on his checks. From what we can tell this is the first anti-forging checks and was created by the great inventor, printer and politician. The check is hand written by Franklin to "Cashier of the Bank, Oct. 16.1787, Pay to Mr. Bach or Bearer Twenty Dollars on and of, B Franklin" A one of A Kind Treasure and a Pinnacle of any check collection or Rarities.

The check does have some condition issues, although none affecting the bold and fine BFranklin signature. There is a tear or possible cancelation in the upper middle a small whole affecting one letter, also another small tear above the B of his signature, some scattered bends and slight missing portion on bottom right and toning and coloration throughout, as well as some separation on left side, the check is worthy of some of archival work, which would fix many of these flaws, based on the fact that this will proabally be the only opportunity to acquire a signed check by one of the most important members of our founding fathers!.

Benjamin Franklin- One of only Two Known Checks!Benjamin Franklin- One of only Two Known Checks!Benjamin Franklin- One of only Two Known Checks!
Benjamin Franklin- One of only Two Known Checks!
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Bidding
Current Bidding
Minimum Bid: $1,000.00
Final prices include buyers premium.:
Number Bids: 17
Auction closed on Thursday, November 19, 2015.

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