Washington, George

On parchment (14 x 19 3/8 in.; 355 x 491 mm), accomplished in a secretarial hand and signed by Washington as president of the Society of the Cincinnati, countersigned by Henry Knox ("HKnox") as secretary, engraved vignettes by Auguste L. Belle after Jean-Jacques Andre LeVeau (from the design of Pierre L'Enfant) depicting America in knight's armor trampling upon the British standard and the American eagle casting the British lion and Britannia out to sea with thunderbolts, depictions of both sides of the medal of the Order of the Cincinnati within roundels, Mount Vernon, 1 October 1785, being the certificate of membership admitting Jonas Simonds to the Society; lightly darkened, a few very short marginal tears and nicks, a few words of the accomplishment possibly reinforced in ink, or, more likely, written first in graphite by the clerk and then over-written in ink; withal, in fine condition.

In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Jonas Simonds was a Massachusetts Artillery Captain from Boston who served for almost the entire war, initially under Col. Richard Gridley, later with Col. John Lamb’s artillery regiment.