Menu
EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THB1779 Superb Content Revolutionary War Letter from Portugal, Regarding Spain's Recognizing America
Lot 68
About Seller
Early American History Auctions
1520 Commerce St., #312
Winchester, VA 22601
United States
Categories
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$1,800 - $2,400
Starting Bid
$900
Absentee vs Live bid
Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $200 | $20 |
| $300 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
| $300,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Early American History Auctions
Dec 20, 2025
Set Reminder
2025-12-20 12:00:00
2025-12-20 12:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Early American History Auctions - December 20, 2025
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/early-american-history-auctions/early-american-history-auctions---december-20-2025-21473
199 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Historic Maps & more. Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com
199 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Historic Maps & more. Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com
View Full Catalog (199)
- Lot Description
American Revolution
1779 Superb Content Revolutionary War Letter Sent from Portugal Regarding Spain's Recognizing American Independence and the Declaring of War on Great Britain
June 26, 1779-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Manuscript Letter, with Integral Transmittal Cover, sent from Lisbon, Portugal, to Madeira, Spain with Superb Content Pertaining to the American Revolutionary War, and Spain's Entry Into the War against Great Britain and more, Choice Very Fine or better.
This exceptional handwritten letter is dated at Lisbon, Portugal, having 2 pages, measuring 7.5" x 9", sent from "Montgomery, Sealy & Company," British merchants in Portugal, to wine merchants and fellow Brits, "Newton, Gordon & Johnston," at Madeira, being the Portuguese islands off the coast of Africa. The letter having superb historic Revolutionary War content, giving the news of Spain Declaring War on Great Britain - this Declaration of War occurred just 5 days earlier, when Spain entered the American Revolutionary War as an ally of France, recognized American Independence, thus becoming a defacto Ally of the Americans. Beautifully written in deep brown ink on clean fine quality laid period paper, having a small piece out in the marging where the wax seal was removed to open the letter. This letter reads, in full:
"The present being chiefly to advise you of the sudden change of Political Affairs which is, by an Express arrived from Madrid (in 63 hours) the 24th Inst. from Lord Grantham, we find he was taking leave of that Court, & is expected here hourly, as they have at last taken off their Mask & acknowledge the Americans Independent, & 8 sail of the Line & 2 Frigates from Ferrol have joined the French Fleet off Cape Finistre [Finisterre], these steps leaves not a shadow of doubt but the consequence will be a Spanish War, & how this Court will remain is uncertain, but we are not without apprehensions of their being forced to join the Spaniards against us; what Old England will do against so many Enemys, God knows.
We have no news of our Fleet being out yet, the last news from England was that Lord North had asked Parliament for an immediate supply of a million for some extraordinary exigency of State, which doubtless is the War we allude to. -- We are very truely with Esteem - Sirs -- your most obdt. Servts. --- (Signed) Montgomery, Sealy". (Accompanied with a sheet with a prior full transcription.) An important early firsthand letter with critical Revolutionary War news. (2 items)
We ship what we sell.
- Shipping Info
-
Early American provides in-house worldwide shipping. Please contact us directly if you have questions about your specific shipping requirements.
-
- Buyer's Premium
