Independence Day

Signed July 4, 1776: Independence Day Document Heads To Auction

Filed under: Auctions

Imagine for a moment what it was like to be in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. Each year we gather for barbecues and fireworks on July 4 but often don't imagine the day itself. Documents from that day make the history come alive. Cohasco, a firm that specializes in rare documents, is auctioning off a striking manuscript document dated Philadelphia, July 4, 1776 on August 10 during an auction that features documents from a variety of time periods.

The document is a manuscript petition to the Committee of Safety that is actually dated twice, with thick flourish beneath one dateline. It is signed by three noted patriots and involves a fourth. The letter is signed by George Shaffner, a sergeant in Pennsylvania militia and is a petition to the Committee of Safety, requesting a commission, asking to be appointed as "Lieutenant in one of the Companies of the Regiment of Germans now to be raised he being born of German Parents...." The petition is signed by Col. Samuel J. Atlee who was captured by the British just seven weeks after this petition and Lt. Col. Caleb Parry who was killed in action in the same battle.

The listing on Cohasco says that it is possible to surmise that this request may have been spurred on by the excitement of the day itself. They have determined that George Shaffner did indeed receive his commission in the German Regiment and became one of its original officers. He is recorded in "The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources...," the Papers of Robert Morris, archives of Society of the Cincinnati, and other sources. The Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania record that Shaffner was subsequently commissioned in Atlee's Battalion of Musketry in Aug. 1776, therefore tying all four men in this document to the fateful Battle of Long Island that month. The other person mentioned in the document Capt. Abraham De Huff, of the "Pennsylvania Musket Battalion," fought at the Battle of Long Island in Aug. 1776, and was captured at Fort Washington, following Washington's retreat to Manhattan.

This July 4 document was also published during the Centennial, its text appearing in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 13, 1876. The document is housed in an older custom slipcase and will be sold with an extensive research file that tells its unique story. It is estimated at $30,000-45,000.

Tags: independence day, july 4, patriots, revolutionary war

Rare Copy Of The Declaration Of Independence Found

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

A rare copy of the Declaration of Independence has been found in England. The AP reports that British researchers discovered the "Dunlap print," named after a printer, in the National Archives several months ago but was only announced after it was cataloged (and just in time for July 4th).

There are only around 200 original copies and finding a new one in good condition is extremely rare, only around 26 Dunlap prints are believed to still exist. Officials aren't sure how the document ended up in the archives but it may have been on a ship that was intercepted by the British navy. It was discovered by an American bookseller doing research at the archives in Richmond, Surrey. The last Dunlap print found was sold at an auction for $8.14 million in 2000. The National Archives have no plan to sell this document.

Tags: declaration of independence, DeclarationOfIndependence, documents, independence day, IndependenceDay

The Red, White and Sapphire Cocktail

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Bombay Sapphire, the distinctive London dry gin infused with 10 botanicals hand-selected from around the globe, has come up with a festive twist on the classic Collins cocktail in honor of Independence Day, called the Red White and Sapphire (right).

Bombay Sapphire, distilled from 100% grain neutral spirit using a recipe that actually predates the Declaration of Independence by 15 years, includes lemon peel from Spain, orris root from Italy, coriander seeds from Mexico and cassia bark from Indo-China, among others.

To make a Red White and Sapphire:

1 1⁄2 oz. Bombay Sapphire
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
3⁄4 oz. simple syrup
3-4 fresh raspberries
3 oz. club soda

Muddle raspberries with simple syrup and lemon juice in a Collins glass. Add ice, Bombay Sapphire and stir. Top with club soda. Garnish with lemon twist and a fresh raspberry. Repeat as necessary.

Tags: 4th of July, 4thOfJuly, Bombay Sapphire, BombaySapphire, cocktails, gin, Independence Day, IndependenceDay, summer cocktails, SummerCocktails

Red, White, and Blue, Handbag of the Day

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Happy Fourth of July! What better way to accent your outfit and show off your patriotic spirit this Independence Day than with a stylish new handbag. Designed by Julie Feldman and described as an "Americana tootsie roll handbag" (now I'm craving candy) this classic and simple bag is made of distressed leather with two rolled leather handles and zip closure at the top. I love the earthy and worn looking stars and stripes because they're so much less obnoxious than the brightly colored versions, and make the bag that much easier keep using all summer. $490

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Tags: 4th of july, 4thOfJuly, american, american flag, american flags, AmericanFlag, AmericanFlags, bag, bags, fourth of july, FourthOfJuly, handbag, handbag of the day, HandbagOfTheDay, handbags, holiday, holidays, independence day, IndependenceDay, patriotic, patriotism

Fourth of July in Boston Hotel Package

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Boston is my favorite place to spend the fourth of July but finding a great spot to view the fireworks and hear the concert on the Esplenade can be challenging if you don't have a local friend with a great roof deck. The Liberty Hotel, once the Charles Street Jail, offers a a one-of-a-kind way to experience Boston's Fourth of July celebrations. Their Independence Day Perfect View package comes with up to four seats on the Community Boating Dock for the Boston Pops! performance and Charles River fireworks display,dinner for up to four people at Clink, the hotel restaurant, and Veuve Clicquot champagne and dessert at turndown. Prices start at 1,515 per night with a two-night minimum booking.

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Tags: boston, fourth of july, FourthOfJuly, independence day, liberty hotel, LibertyHotel