Lot 146: Francis Scott Key Autograph Letter Signed

Name: Francis Scott Key Autograph Letter Signed
Brand: Raynor's Historical Collectible Auctions
SKU: 55f4219a08
Price: 400 USD

Est: $800 USD - $1,200 USDSold:

Raynor's Historical Collectible AuctionsBurlington, NC, USJuly 23, 2020

Item Overview

Description

KEY, Francis Scott (1779-1843) American lawyer and amateur poet who wrote the words to the United States national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" Autograph Letter Signed, "F.S. Key" 3pp. quarto, Annapolis, April 3, 1798 to John L. Kerr, a friend and fellow law student who was later a U.S. Senator, commenting on their mutual friends, especially girlfriends, and telling a funny story of a trick he and the girl who turned out to be his future wife played on another young lady. "…I desire you will burn this letter the moment you have read it & never tell any person what I am now going to tell you. I ought not to tell it but it is so good a thing I can't help it. I was some time ago at Miss Lloyds, Maria & myself were standing at the door around 9 o'clock at night, Mrs. Murray's carriage came to the door. We agreed to go to Mr. Cooke's in it. Accordingly that she would call Betsy in & begin to talk to her. When we got there Maria asked for Miss Betsy, who came into the carriage & sat down, little thinking who was there. 'Betsy,' says Maria, 'have you heard that we are talked of all over town about our romping in the mud this morning.', 'No,' replies Betsy, 'who told you.' 'Why,' said Maria, 'Frank Key told me.' Betsy then began 'Well, damn Frank Key. Nobody else saw us but him, I dare say he told it, damn his little soul. I wish I had him here, I'd give it to him, God damn him I say. I'll pay him for it if I catch him. Is he at your house now?" 'Here he is,' says Maria. I then discovered myself which I was very near doing sooner for I could scarcely contain my laughter. She looked a little foolish for the first two or three times I saw her afterwards, but she appears to have got quite over it now. This is the way these pretty innocent creatures talk when by themselves…" Fine and amusing. Had anyone indeed in those days heard what Betsy said, she would have been in real trouble, as swearing was not countenanced, especially by young ladies. It is interesting to not that Key, quite the practical joker in his youth, married Maria Lloyd a few years later, and she bore him 11 children one of whom, Philip, was killed in a duel over a lady by her jealous husband, future Union general Daniel Sickles.

Artist or Maker

Francis Scott

Payment & Shipping

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Accepted forms of payment: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa

Shipping

We will ship to street addresses only. The minimum shipping charge is $15.00. Framed items minimum is $35.00. Offshore shipments must go through customs often causing long delays.

Auction Details

2020-07 July 23rd Part I

Raynor's Historical Collectible Auctions

July 23, 2020, 11:00 AM EST

1687 West Buck Hill Road, Burlington, NC, 27215, US

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Terms

Buyer's Premium

30.0%

Bidding Increments

From:	To:	Increment:
$0	$199	$10
$200	$499	$25
$500	$999	$50
$1,000	$2,499	$100
$2,500	$9,999	$250
$10,000	$19,999	$500
$20,000+		$1,000

Terms of Sale

Terms of Auction
1. This is a LIVE auction. The auction will be launched at www.HCAauctions.com and on other third party auction sites approximately 10 days before the auction date.
2. There is a 25% Buyer's Premium charged on the final hammer price of each lot purchased.
3. The Auctioneer reserves the right to reject any bid for any reason. The auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw the lot after the hammer has fallen but only before any payment has been accepted.
4. The Auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw any lot for any reason at any time.
5. In the event of duplicate high bids, the earliest bid received will be the winner.
6. Some lots may carry a reserve beneath which the item will not be sold. Any reserve will always be at or below the low estimate. Reserves and maximum bids will not be disclosed.
7. All material in this sale is guaranteed genuine. Any item can be returned IF; (1) there is a material error in the description (2) the item is returned in the same condition as shipped (3) the item is returned within 5 days of receipt (4) After 21 days of the close of the auction, all sales are considered final. Therefore, all items after 21 days of auction date, are sold on an "as is" basis and cannot be returned.
8. We do not examine the condition of items contained within frames beyond what is visible within the frame. Therefore, we are not responsible for any damage or defect not visible to us, including mounting, silking, marginal damage, etc.
9. Illustrations of lots in this catalog and our website may have had size, color, brightness and contrast modifications for display purposes only.
10. Estimated selling prices are for your guidance only. Actual selling prices may be higher or lower than the estimate indicated.
11. Absentee Bidding. All bidding is undertaken in a competitive manner. The winning bid will always be one bidding increment over the second highest bid. The minimum acceptable bid for any lot is one-half of the low estimate given in the item description. Bidders may bid directly on our site, or, call us at 335-584-3330 during office hours, M-F 8 A.M. -2 P.M. EST. Absentee phone bidding CLOSES THE DAY BEFORE LIVE BIDDING STARTS. We will not be accepting phone bids during the LIVE AUCTUION.
Live bidding: Bids can be placed LIVE at our site (www.HCAauctions.com)or, on Invaluable Auctions (www.invaluable.com/auction-house/raynor-s-historical-collectible-auctions-cidgqzigoc). Bids entered during the course of the sale by bidders on the floor, or live on the internet will be taken at the amount bid. Lots will be "opened-bid-closed:" in consecutive order. Lot #1 opens at 10:00AM on auction day.
12. Payment is expected immediately upon, receipt of invoice. We accept checks and money orders. Third party formats also accept Credit Cards. All accounts are payable to Raynor's Historical Collectible Auctions.
13. Shipping, handling and insurance charges will be added to the invoice. The minimum Shipping & Insurance is $15 and $30 for framed items.
14. Property purchased and paid for by successful bidders but remaining unclaimed after 90 days will be deemed abandoned and title will be ceded to Raynors' Historical Collectible Auctions.
15.The placing of a bid shall constitute acceptance of the preceding terms and conditions of sale as well as the Bidding Procedure guidelines posted in this catalog. Please note that by submitting a bid in this auction you agree to all the Terms and Conditions of Sale as stated in this catalog or website.

Payment

We accept personal checks, money orders, PayPal and Credit Cards

Shipping Terms

We will ship to street addresses only. The minimum shipping charge is $15.00. Framed items minimum is $35.00. Offshore shipments must go through customs often causing long delays.

Premium

When bidding, please remember that we charge 25% Buyers Premium.

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