George Washington Signed Mountain Road Lottery Ticket

1768-Dated Colonial Era, Partially-Printed Document Signed, "G(eorge) Washington" on a "Mountain Road Lottery" Ticket, Choice Extremely Fine. This excessively rare example of a Mountain Road Lottery Ticket, measuringabout 1.5" tall x 4.5" long with the signature of the Father of our Country as signer and proprietor. This Colonial Virginia Lottery Ticket states that the possessor shall be entitled, "to whatever PRIZE may happen to bedrawn against its Number in the Mountain Road Lottery." This Ticket is well centered, slightly trimmed at the top printed divider line, as are virtually all known examples and tipped heavier paper along the outer edge forprotection and support to display. The quality of George Washington's signature is sharp and clear, carefully written in medium tan ink and it measures a full 1.75" across. The overall visual appearance is fresh and veryclean, the "G. Washington" signature is excellent and clear. Ticket No. 348. This original, historic piece of Washingtonia is a Key item and is considered the "King" of American Lottery Tickets. A wonderful, prize in thecollecting of Colonial era American lottery tickets and George Washington autographs.

The Mountain Road Lottery was described by the Virginia Gazette as "A Scheme of a Lottery for raising the sum of nine hundred pounds, to make a road over the mountain to the warm and hot springs in Augustacounty." The Mountain Road Lottery offered 62 cash awards, including a 1,000 pound first prize. Tickets were sold for 20 shillings, with "15 percent to be deducted from the Prizes."

On February 21, 1771, Captain Bullitt placed a notice in the Virginia Gazette that notified Washington and others that the "Hot Springs, Augusta County" project agreement between them was rescinded. The road wasnever built with this lottery endeavor. However, the Mountain Road was built in 1772 when the Virginia legislature voted a sum of 300 pounds for the purpose of "clearing a safe and good road from the Warm Springs inAugusta County to Jennings Gap." That road is now part of Virginia Routes 629 and 39 from Jennings Gap into Warm Springs Valley, site of the famous Homestead Hotel. Bullett went on alone and later built the road and spain Hot Springs.

To read the complete lot description, see:
George Washington Signed Mountain Road Lottery Ticket 1768 Virginia - The "King" of American Lottery Tickets(https://www.earlyamerican.com/Auctions/ClientPages/lots.item.php?auction=6&lot=61)

Washington Pater Patriae Inaugural Button

(1789) George Washington Inaugural Button, "GENERAL WASHINGTON - PATER PATRIAE" Major Design Type with General Washington in Uniform. 25 mm. Copper shell with lead-filled base as made. With Original Shank. Albert WI-19B.DeWitt GW-1789-41. Fine.

Rarity-6 (3 to 5 known) according to Albert, (currently believed 6 to 7 known). 25 mm. This extremely rare "GENERAL WASHINGTON - PATER PATRIAE" type features a central Bust Portrait of General George Washington dressed inhis fancy military uniform. Above at its left and right sides reads, "GENERAL - WASHINGTON" and below the bust, "PATER PATRIAE". This historic button has a Copper shell with lead-filled back, as made with its original ironshank intact. This example is well worn at its center, though the outer inscription "GENERAL WASHINGTON" is clear, plus portions of the well worn lower inscription can be read, with still parts of the Washington designseen.

Another example of this GW Inaugural Button Type in nicer but not choice condition, sold in the Stack's Cobb Collection sale of January 21, 2003 for $22,000 (hammer price, totaling $25,300), plus a low quality example in2015. In February 2018 another example was offered at auction from the David & Janice Frent Collection which did not provided a specific grade yet stated to have been "well-struck with strong detail" which this catalogerwould have graded as Extremely Fine. That example, being one of the finest known for the type sold for the remarkable world record price of $225,000.

To read the complete lot description, see:
"General Washington - Pater Patriae" Inaugural Button Ultra-Rare Key Design Type Considered "The Holy Grail"(https://www.earlyamerican.com/Auctions/ClientPages/lots.item.php?auction=6&lot=140)

Uncle Sam's Change Postage Stamp Envelope

Chris. O'Neill's Wholesale & Retail Liquor Store, 25 Cents U.S. Postage Stamp Envelope, Black printed text on Buff wove envelope,

Rarity-9 (1 to 3 known) according to Fred Reed. of this Civil War period U.S. Postage Stamp Envelope thought to exist. #KL103-25. Deep well centered Black printed text on buff envelope, "25c," printed in all four corners.Printed text reads: "UNCLE SAM'S/ CHANGE." (printed at top & bottom), with "CHRIS. O'NEILL'S / Wholesale & Retail Liquor Store, / Corner Hudson Av. & Prospect St., / BROOKLYN." (printed within a fine black ovalat center). Highly attractive and distinctive in its design and overall appearance being Complete but for its flap. One of only two Varieties known. Likely Unique and the Finest Known prize for the successful bidder havingbeen used for the Plate Illustration Example In Friedberg.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Rarity-9 Plate Illustration Example In Friedberg "UNCLE SAM'S / CHANGE. - CHRIS. O'NEILL'S / Wholesale & Retail Liquor Store,/Corner Hudson Av. & Prospect St. / BROOKLYN." Exceedingly Rare New York Merchant Type (https://www.earlyamerican.com/Auctions/ClientPages/lots.item.php?auction=6&lot=201)

1869 Fisk Mills Postal Currency Envelope

1869 Fisk Mills of Washington, D.C.. Three Cents. Abraham Lincoln Vignette Design. Unadopted Envelope Essay for "United States Postal Currency." Undersander Number E804d. Extremely Fine.

This Unique Design Type Essay has ornately Engraved designs which are printed in rich red on a light green and white "wood grained" background. This is the front panel, mounted onto thin boxwood card for display,measuring 3" tall x slightly more than 5.5" wide. In the upper right field, below the word "Currency" is a unique hand-drawn additional design element, showing a "3" centered within several brownish-red ornate designs. Atthe bottom right are the words, "PATENT APPLIED FOR" with a small patriotic Union shield design in the corner. At top left, "P.M. RE______DAYS." At the upper right is printed the stated use, "United States Postal Currency."Unique in this format. Undersander Number E804d. Attributed as being Ex: Brazer Collection. This is a handsome, impressive looking, highly colorful Postal Currency and Philatelic related item of museum quality that has greateye appeal for display.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Unique "United States Postal Currency" 1869 Fisk Mills 3¢ Abraham Lincoln Vignette Design Envelope "Essay" Type(/www.earlyamerican.com/Auctions/ClientPages/lots.item.php?auction=6&lot=207)

Charles Geekie Tokens & scrip

Circa 1860 Exceptional Collector Archive Lot of Five CHARLES W. GEEKIE "Ladies Blush" Items. Set of (4) Tokens; (2) Struck in German Silver & (2) Struck in White Metal and (1) 1862 Hand-dated Civil WarPeriod Currency Note.

Circa 1860 Geekie Baltimore, Maryland Trade Tokens. (2) German Silver and (2) White Metal, 23 mm, about 3.6 gm. The trade tokens of Charles W. Geekie are rarely offered for sale and are extremely underrated. This is thefirst example ever to be offered at the auction block at Early American History Auctions, and to have a Set of FOUR is simply extraordinary! The "Anchor" and two "Decanters" on the obverse are motifs with ties toGeekie's liquor business at 123 Baltimore Street in Baltimore, Maryland. These example are as nice as known for the issue, two being a solid AU tokens with lustre. The surfaces appear to be typical for what is known andunder magnification trivial imprefections observed within the devices or as described individually and im aged below. Rulau's 2004 reference values this rare issue at $500 in VF, with no prices provided beyond thatgrade. We located one auction record from 2008 for a German Silver "5" example graded AU which sold for $690 (it was also the very first example that major firm had ever offered). The same type offered in the current setbeing finer and more lustrous. A wonderful opportunity to acquire a remarkable set of four, together with a Signed "Geekie" Note!

To read the complete lot description, see:
Rare Charles Geekie "Ladies Blush" Trade Tokens Archive(https://www.earlyamerican.com/Auctions/ClientPages/lots.item.php?auction=6&lot=328)