late-18th-century-manuscript-doodle-north-carolina
Lot 1043
Late 18th Century Manuscript Doodle, North Carolina
Lot Details & Additional Photographs
Likely Salisbury, circa 1797, one side of what appears to be an 8 x 13 in. ledger sheet is decorated in the same hand with signatures and place names such as Peter Mallett, George Lillington, , Sampson Mosely, Sesquahanna (2x), Dick Smith, Baltimore (4x), York, Chicehester, George Rex (x2), Alexander Hamilton, John Jay (2x), signed and dated Montford Stokes Esquire 1797. Presented in a wooden frame.

Stokes was the likely calligrapher here. Was this production executed in an idle moment or by design? An odd memento from young America.

The Lifelong Collection of Keith and Caroline Gray, Charlotte, NC. Keith and Caroline Gray were passionate about antiques, art, and history. Together they attended antique shows and auctions for decades – assembling a collection particularly strong on American coin silver, Asian art, historical documents, early images, and English ceramics. Both were longtime supporters of the Mint Museum in Charlotte, with Caroline serving in multiple capacities from docent to a member of the acquisitions board and trustee. Caroline translated her love of material culture into a successful career, becoming a certified property appraiser in Charlotte.

Uneven edges, else good condition.