[WASHINGTON] Washington Signed Society of the Cincinnati Membership Certificate

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Day 2: Early & Historic Americana

By Fleischer's Auctions

Oct 10, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-10-10 09:00:00 2025-10-10 09:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Day 2: Early & Historic Americana https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/fleischers-auctions/day-2-early-historic-americana-19250
Day one of Fleischer's 2025 Fall Premier auction includes early American artifacts, documents, signatures, ephemera, and weaponry. Rare material relating to African American history is featured, as well as fine examples of antique photography. Fleischer's Auctions info@fleischersauctions.com

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• Lot Description

  Partly engraved document signed by George Washington, as President-General of the Society of the Cincinnati. Mount Vernon, Virginia, 4 July 1786. 1 page, folio, mounted and framed to 32 ½ x 20 in. Framed with portrait of George Washington. Engraved plaque to frame recto. 

   

  SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE SIGNED BY GEORGE WASHINGTON AND ISSUED TO PROMINENT REVOLUTIONARY WAR SURGEON & FINANCIER 

   

  A profusely illustrated membership certificate signed by George Washington (1732-1799) as the Society of the Cincinnati’s President-General, and also signed by Henry Knox (1750-1806) as the Society’s secretary. The membership was presented to Isaac Bronson, Esq. (1760-1838), a surgeon for the 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons under Washington in the Revolutionary War.  

   

  When this document was signed, it had been three years since the Revolutionary War ended. George Washington would become president in another three years, and he would appoint Henry Knox as his Secretary of War. 

   

  Dr. Isaac Bronson received a warrant to become a junior surgeon for the Revolutionary War at the age of 19; he eventually became the 2nd Regiment’s senior surgeon until the War ended, attaining the rank of colonel. Bronson argued for pensions for army surgeons, an omission that was finally addressed three decades after the War concluded. After the War, Bronson became deeply involved in foreign commerce and trading in government obligations. He invested in America’s government debt and the Bank of the United States, working closely with men like Alexander Hamilton. Into the 19th century, Bronson founded the Bridgeport Bank in Connecticut and co-founded the New York Life Insurance and Trust Company and the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company. Through these investments, he became one of the wealthiest men in America.

   

  Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

   

  [American Revolutionary War, American Revolution, Founding Fathers, Declaration of Independence, Colonial America, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe]

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• Provenance

  The Kenneth Rendell Gallery (letter of authenticity to frame verso). 

• Shipping Info

  • SHIPPING PROTOCOL AND INSURANCE

    All packages valued at over $250 are shipped with a signature required upon delivery. All packages handled and shipped in-house by Fleischer’s Auctions are not insured unless insurance is requested. Successful bidders who would like their packages insured are responsible for notifying us that this is the case and are responsible for paying the cost of insurance

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