Description:

(RICHARD HENRY LEE) JOSEPH COSEY
(1887 - 1950?) Notorious forger of historical letters and documents which a penchant for early American historical figures including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Monroe, and Richard Henry Lee. Cosey even attempted a forged draft of Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. Forged A.L.S. "Richard Henry Lee" 1p. 4to., Philadelphia, May 6, 1777. A particularly ambitious forgery, this one supposedly directed to Patrick Henry (another of Cosey's favorites), reporting on political developments. In part: "...a late letter from France we understand that our enemies have given up their plan of attacking Virginia for the present... A curious act of Parliament has passed to make our opposition on the land high Treason, and on the sea Piracy... it is an acrimonious and foolish display of Tyranny..." This example appears on page 102 of Charles Hamilton's, Great Forgers and Famous Fakes (1996 ed.). Trimmed, folds, corner losses filled in, else very good.

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December 9, 2011 11:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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