United States of America. June 15, 1779. First of Exchange for 23,000 Livres Tournois, pay to Mr. Caron de Beaumarchais, or Order....To the Hon. Benjamin Franklin. Signed by John Jay and Charles Thomson. Anderson-unlisted. Choice Extremely Fine.Printed certificate, style of Livre Tournois forms (i.e. "Hopkinson certificates), on watermarked laid paper. Pattern edge watermark and quartering down the vertical, partial CONTIN visible [CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, likely]. 13.1cm by 25.7cm. Text and titles primarily in italics, various styles. Top: EXCHANGE for_____LIVRES Tournois. Below, In CONGRESS, Philadelphia, June___1779. Text for obligation: SIR:/ pursuant to a Resolution of Congress, passed the fifth Day of/ June, 1779, pay Mr. Caron de Beaumarchais, or Order, on/ the___Day of June, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty___/ this First of Exchange for the Sum of_________Livres/ Tournois, the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth of the same/ Tenor and Date, not paid, for Value received by the United States. Signed, By the Order of CONGRESS [signature of President of Continental Congress]. Under, to left, Attest. [signature of Secretary]. Lower left, smaller printing: To the Hon. Benjamin Franklin, Esq; Minister/ Plenipotentiary, or any other Representative for the/ United States of America at the Court of France. Note, no serial number box engraved nor serial numbered by hand. Fully accomplished First of Exchange for 23,000 Livres Tournois (an immense sum) and dated 15 June 1779. Payable in 1782. Signed lower right by John Jay Prest. [of the Continental Congress]. Lower left, signature of Chas. Thomson Secy. [as Secretary of the Continental Congress]. Left wide margin, Entered in the Treasury Office/ June 22, 1779 and signed by John Gibbons Adj. Gen.This is an amazing financial document on multiple fronts. It was authorized by the Continental Congress in June 1779 when earlier victories at Saratoga seemed to have been forgotten and the war was a struggle for the patriots. Inflation of paper money saw the initial May 10, 1775 $1 notes now being revalued at 40 to 1. Paying the Continental Army was tenuous and the outlook was bleak. Meanwhile in France, Benjamin Franklins diplomacy was negotiating essential financing, with some prospects still on the horizon. He was welcome and beloved in Paris and proved a charismatic presence at every turn. Secret agents, intriguers, and allies to the American cause surreptitiously dealt weapons through several channels, particularly Spain, an enemy of Britain, to arm Americans. This exchange is the result of one of the most fascinating and least recounted stories of the American Revolution. It only exists as a footnote in mainstream American history. However, the players involved crafted an arms dealing conspiracy right out of Hollywood or a Tom Clancy novel. The book Unlikely Allies by John Richard Paul recounts the story in the greatest detail, but here we will summarize the main points. While the certificate boasts a historic and rare signature of John Jay (First Chief Justice of the United States), it is the central part of the text that is most important and intriguing. Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais was an integral component of a trio of men (of which the other two were Silas Deane of Connecticut and Chevalier DEon) who forged arms deals that were paramount in the ultimate Continental Army victories through Yorktown. Their spy craft, bravery and deftness helped save the American Revolution. Prior to France entering the war officially, the King of France authorized Caron de Beaumarchais to orchestrate arms dealing through a phantom company based in Spain. The weapons needed to be paid for secretly and with Franklins and the Continental Congresss knowledge, the plans were placed into action. From the American side, Franklin requested Silas Deane from Connecticut believing the British would not think him involved with spies due to his merchant status. Chevalier DEon wore disguises and was a cross-dresser, so he proved a successful flamboyant spy. The money authorized to be paid by this Philadelphia issued certificate theoretically did not exist since these earlier arms deals were done secretly. Note the exchange was to be paid by Franklin at the Court of France. They could be countersigned by Caron de Beaumarchais as they are clearly created for him as international agent of the arms dealing. If the money was actually paid, the First is always the most likely be returned. This is fully issued and properly signed by the highest officials of the Continental Congress, John Jay and Charles Thomson. That in itself makes this an immensely important fiscal form. The fact that it is unlisted in Anderson is also important. Some light folds are noted, but the overall condition is truly superb-the paper is bright, the embossing is bold, and the signature of John Jay is simply magnificent. Carons life was somewhat unstable from its upper middle class beginnings, and just when he found himself amid growing debt and legal woes, this proved an effective way out. His involvement in the American Revolution helped to restore his civil rights. Carons greatest claim to fame is not these activities, but his playwriting. He wrote the Figaro plays, comprised of<em> The Barber of Seville, the Marriage of Figaro (adapted by Mozart), and The Guilty Mother.</em><em></em><em></em>This is just the second we have seen and the only one in this denomination. We sold a 29,000 Livres when it was previously unknown for $32,900 in our 2012 ANA sale when it had a pre sale estimate of $15,000 - $25,000. While we do not expect a realization at that level this evening we most certainly believe it will reach or exceed our estimate.
