Washington, George, first President

Printed check signed ("Go: Washington"), drawn on the Bank of Alexandria, [Mount Vernon], 26 August 1797, accomplished by Washington in favor of Dr. James Craik for $762.50, check printed in black with typographic borders at left and lower margins; lightly browned, tiny repair to lower left corner. Matted, framed, and glazed.

Sold, Sotheby's New York, 24 November 1980, lot 281 — Sold, Smythe, 11 October 1995, lot 387

Washington's check no. 1 from the Bank of Alexandria, boldly accomplished and signed. James Craik was born in Scotland and moved to Virginia about 1752 to open medical practice. He served as a British Army surgeon during the French and Indian War, during which he met George Washington. The two became friends, and Craik eventually served as Surgeon General of the United States Army, as well as Washington's personal physician. He was one of three doctors who attended Washington during his final illness.

The present check was to settle Craik's account for treating the residents and slaves at Mount Vernon. According to the letter of acknowledgment that Craik sent to him, Washington included with the check a basket of turnips (Papers of George Washington, Retirement Series, ed, Abbot, 1:322). Washington checks have become increasingly scarce on the market: only one example is recorded in ABPC for the last decade.