IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC REVOLUTIONARY WAR SILVER HILT SWORD BY MILNE OF PHILADELPHIA DATED 1776 AND INSCRIBED TO GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MILITARY SECRETARY, JOSEPH REED. POSSIBLY A PRESENTATION FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON.

IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC REVOLUTIONARY WAR SILVER HILT SWORD BY MILNE OF PHILADELPHIA DATED 1776 AND INSCRIBED TO GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MILITARY SECRETARY, JOSEPH REED. POSSIBLY A PRESENTATION FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON. This American small sword measures just over 35″ overall with 29-1/2″ blade. Sword touch marked “EM” numerous times, including twice on its 3-1/2×2-1/2″ oval guard. This is an interesting very plain, very American sword in style complete with its orig scabbard with silver tip and throat both cartouched by Milne. The ovoid blade has two 6″ etched panels which terminate into a more diamond shaped blade with central spines. Sword cross guard appears to be solid silver, however, remainder of sword including grip, scabbard mounts, knuckle bow and pas d’anes appear sheathed in silver, though touch marked identically to cross guard. Presented here is once in a lifetime opportunity to own a unique combination of great American rarities; A signed American silver hilted sword by Milne of Philadelphia-possibly the only known signed American example with a silver grip, inscribed to General George Washington’s Secretary Lt. Col. Joseph Reed and dated 1776 on the counterguard; additionally inscribed with the owner’s initials “IR” on the silver grip, along with evidence that the sword was presented to Reed by Washington himself. As it stands this fine piece of American fine art combined with its spectacular history can be considered a true American treasure. On the top side of the sword’s counter guard is engraved “Lt. Col. Joseph Reed 1776.” His initials “IR” (the figure “I” was the 18th century iteration of the letter “J”) are also engraved on the reverse of the sword’s grip. The inscription on the guard is very, very old and hand engraved, but such inscriptions during this period were not common as they were during the Civil War. It is possible the inscription was added by Reed or a descendant to document and insure for posterity the swords most important history.Reed was an American statesmen, military officer and patriot who was born in Trenton, N.J. on August 27, 1741. A graduate of Princeton University he spent an additional two years studying law in the Middle Temple, London. Upon his return to Trenton he was appointed deputy secretary of New Jersey in 1767. Seven years later he found himself as a member of the committee of correspondence for Philadelphia. In 1775 Reed became President of the Second Provincial convention in Pennsylvania. Politically, while his connections to England were strong, Reed opposed Parliamentary taxation. With the issuance of the Declaration of Independence, General George Washington appointed Reed to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and asked him to serve as his military secretary. The following year Reed was appointed Adjutant General of the Continental Army but resigned after one year in office also refusing an offer to become Brigadier General preferring to serve his friend and colleague George Washington as his personal aide without rank or pay. While serving in the Continental Congress for one year his loyalty to Washington caused him to refuse further service in Congress choosing to continue his military service on Washington’s staff. Reed was side by side with Washington in the disastrous campaign on Long Island and in New York in the summer of 1776, and was the general’s representative when British commander Admiral Howe tried to negotiate the surrender of the Americans. He was critical of the capture of Forts Washington and Lee on the Hudson River by the British, and for the fact that New York City was left standing for the British to occupy. A letter Joseph Reed wrote to General Charles Lee detailing these criticisms produced a corresponding critical letter from General Lee that fell into George Washington’s hands. Reed was much vilified by many in the Army and Government for his critical views, but George Washington continued to fully support his aide and friend, and the criticism died out. Because he was intimately knowledgeable of Trenton, Joseph Reed’s participation in the Christmas 1776 surprise attack on Trenton was of immense value. He continued to serve with Washington’s Army through the Battles of Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth. He did serve on a Congressional committee during the War. In 1778 he accepted the position of president of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania which was a position equal to that of Governor prior to the Constitution. Serving in that capacity for nearly three years Reed lobbied for the abolishment of the Penn family’s proprietary powers and became one of the founders of the University of Pennsylvania. In addition his administration was highlighted by his abolishing slavery in Pennsylvania, the placing of Revolutionary soldiers on half pay for life, and the prosecution of Benedict Arnold (in absentia) for his corruption while commander of Philadelphia. In 1778 he became embroiled in a scandal when he was erroneously accused of traitorous correspondence with England. This led to the belief that he had questionably loyalties until historians in the 1880s corrected the fallacy. He was one of the few officers and figures of the Revolution who had the respect and trust of George Washington. Reed died in Philadelphia after returning from a trip to England on March 5, 1785 at the youthful age of 43. An oil portrait from life by Charles Willson Peale of Joseph Reed in uniform is in the collections of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. The throat of this sword’s scabbard is signed “EM” in an oval cartouche, a documented Milne signature. Goldsmith and Jeweler Edmund Milne made his business at “The Sign of the Crown and Three Pearls” on Second Street near Market in Philadelphia beginning in 1771. It is documented that Milne made 12 silver “camp cups” from 16 silver dollars on order from General George Washington in 1777. If one may judge by length of advertising space purchased, Edmund Milne undoubtedly had one of the largest stocks in America. On December 15, 1763, he advertised in the Pennsylvania Journal: “Edmund Milne, Goldsmith and Jeweller. At the Sign of the Crown and three Pearls, next door to the corner of Market street in Second Street, begs leave to inform the Public, that he has just imported in the last vessels from London, an elegant Assortment of Goldsmiths and Jewellry ware.” Then follows a list of some two hundred different items. These include knee, shoe stock buckles of silver, gilt and pinchbeck, some set with garnets; others with paste stones; silver and steel watch chains: and among the articles for feminine adornment, Mocoa bracelets set round with garnets, pastes, and brazil topazecs. There were also brooches, paste and crystal stay hooks,“garnet and crystal single and three-drop ear-rings, enameled gold heart lockets set with garnets, gold wire earrings, coral necklaces and blue turkey bead necklaces. For men he offered single seals set in gold, silver, and pinchbeck; red Cornelian seals set in gold; buttons set in gold, buttons of silver engraved with olive branch; and others for coat and vest of tortoise shell. His snuffboxes included enameled ones and those in the shape of birds, fruits, and flowers and some shoe fashion and others of paper. Signed silver hilt swords from Philadelphia are a rare collectible indeed but those documented from the Revolutionary War period are extraordinarily rare. Finally there is oral tradition and evidence based on the sale of this sword at auction in January of 1957 that this spectacular sword of great historic import was presented to Lt. Col. Joseph Reed by General George Washington himself. I believe that there is further research that might be completed on this provenance to further document this evidence. Circumstantially, Reeds close friendship and unswerving loyalty to Washington, his appointment to Adjutant General in 1776 which the sword is dated and Washington’s obvious relationship to Edmund Milne all combine to make the oral tradition and mid-20th century auction documentation very likely. A collector’s dream, the rarest of the rare, combining so many fine attributes that makes this inscribed Revolutionary War silver-hilted sword one of the finest pieces of American political, patriotic and military material culture ever offered for sale. CONDITION: Sword overall is in very good condition. Blade is gray overall with scattered areas of staining and pitting. Red felt washer is probably later replacement. Scabbard body is sound and complete though there is a leather repair about 10″ from tip. Leather body has been re-dyed black where areas of scuffing were present. Scabbard tip and throat exhibit numerous small dents, scrapes & scratches. Hilt and cross guard are very good overall, showing wear to high areas, exposing base metal where worn. 4-44101 JS (100,000-200,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2306	$0.00	IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC REVOLUTIONARY WAR SILVER HILT SWORD BY MILNE OF PHILADELPHIA DATED 1776 AND INSCRIBED TO GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MILITARY SECRETARY, JOSEPH REED. POSSIBLY A PRESENTATION FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON. This American small sword measures just over 35″ overall with 29-1/2″ blade. Sword touch marked “EM” numerous times, including twice on its 3-1/2×2-1/2″ oval guard. This is an interesting very plain, very American sword in style complete with its orig scabbard with silver tip and throat both cartouched by Milne. The ovoid blade has two 6″ etched panels which terminate into a more diamond shaped blade with central spines. Sword cross guard appears to be solid silver, however, remainder of sword including grip, scabbard mounts, knuckle bow and pas d’anes appear sheathed in silver, though touch marked identically to cross guard. Presented here is once in a lifetime opportunity to own a unique combination of great American rarities; A signed American silver hilted sword by Milne of Philadelphia-possibly the only known signed American example with a silver grip, inscribed to General George Washington’s Secretary Lt. Col. Joseph Reed and dated 1776 on the counterguard; additionally inscribed with the owner’s initials “IR” on the silver grip, along with evidence that the sword was presented to Reed by Washington himself. As it stands this fine piece of American fine art combined with its spectacular history can be considered a true American treasure. On the top side of the sword’s counter guard is engraved “Lt. Col. Joseph Reed 1776.” His initials “IR” (the figure “I” was the 18th century iteration of the letter “J”) are also engraved on the reverse of the sword’s grip. The inscription on the guard is very, very old and hand engraved, but such inscriptions during this period were not common as they were during the Civil War. It is possible the inscription was added by Reed or a descendant to document and insure for posterity the swords most important history.Reed was an American statesmen, military officer and patriot who was born in Trenton, N.J. on August 27, 1741. A graduate of Princeton University he spent an additional two years studying law in the Middle Temple, London. Upon his return to Trenton he was appointed deputy secretary of New Jersey in 1767. Seven years later he found himself as a member of the committee of correspondence for Philadelphia. In 1775 Reed became President of the Second Provincial convention in Pennsylvania. Politically, while his connections to England were strong, Reed opposed Parliamentary taxation. With the issuance of the Declaration of Independence, General George Washington appointed Reed to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and asked him to serve as his military secretary. The following year Reed was appointed Adjutant General of the Continental Army but resigned after one year in office also refusing an offer to become Brigadier General preferring to serve his friend and colleague George Washington as his personal aide without rank or pay. While serving in the Continental Congress for one year his loyalty to Washington caused him to refuse further service in Congress choosing to continue his military service on Washington’s staff. Reed was side by side with Washington in the disastrous campaign on Long Island and in New York in the summer of 1776, and was the general’s representative when British commander Admiral Howe tried to negotiate the surrender of the Americans. He was critical of the capture of Forts Washington and Lee on the Hudson River by the British, and for the fact that New York City was left standing for the British to occupy. A letter Joseph Reed wrote to General Charles Lee detailing these criticisms produced a corresponding critical letter from General Lee that fell into George Washington’s hands. Reed was much vilified by many in the Army and Government for his critical views, but George Washington continued to fully support his aide and friend, and the criticism died out. Because he was intimately knowledgeable of Trenton, Joseph Reed’s participation in the Christmas 1776 surprise attack on Trenton was of immense value. He continued to serve with Washington’s Army through the Battles of Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth. He did serve on a Congressional committee during the War. In 1778 he accepted the position of president of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania which was a position equal to that of Governor prior to the Constitution. Serving in that capacity for nearly three years Reed lobbied for the abolishment of the Penn family’s proprietary powers and became one of the founders of the University of Pennsylvania. In addition his administration was highlighted by his abolishing slavery in Pennsylvania, the placing of Revolutionary soldiers on half pay for life, and the prosecution of Benedict Arnold (in absentia) for his corruption while commander of Philadelphia. In 1778 he became embroiled in a scandal when he was erroneously accused of traitorous correspondence with England. This led to the belief that he had questionably loyalties until historians in the 1880s corrected the fallacy. He was one of the few officers and figures of the Revolution who had the respect and trust of George Washington. Reed died in Philadelphia after returning from a trip to England on March 5, 1785 at the youthful age of 43. An oil portrait from life by Charles Willson Peale of Joseph Reed in uniform is in the collections of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. The throat of this sword’s scabbard is signed “EM” in an oval cartouche, a documented Milne signature. Goldsmith and Jeweler Edmund Milne made his business at “The Sign of the Crown and Three Pearls” on Second Street near Market in Philadelphia beginning in 1771. It is documented that Milne made 12 silver “camp cups” from 16 silver dollars on order from General George Washington in 1777. If one may judge by length of advertising space purchased, Edmund Milne undoubtedly had one of the largest stocks in America. On December 15, 1763, he advertised in the Pennsylvania Journal: “Edmund Milne, Goldsmith and Jeweller. At the Sign of the Crown and three Pearls, next door to the corner of Market street in Second Street, begs leave to inform the Public, that he has just imported in the last vessels from London, an elegant Assortment of Goldsmiths and Jewellry ware.” Then follows a list of some two hundred different items. These include knee, shoe stock buckles of silver, gilt and pinchbeck, some set with garnets; others with paste stones; silver and steel watch chains: and among the articles for feminine adornment, Mocoa bracelets set round with garnets, pastes, and brazil topazecs. There were also brooches, paste and crystal stay hooks,“garnet and crystal single and three-drop ear-rings, enameled gold heart lockets set with garnets, gold wire earrings, coral necklaces and blue turkey bead necklaces. For men he offered single seals set in gold, silver, and pinchbeck; red Cornelian seals set in gold; buttons set in gold, buttons of silver engraved with olive branch; and others for coat and vest of tortoise shell. His snuffboxes included enameled ones and those in the shape of birds, fruits, and flowers and some shoe fashion and others of paper. Signed silver hilt swords from Philadelphia are a rare collectible indeed but those documented from the Revolutionary War period are extraordinarily rare. Finally there is oral tradition and evidence based on the sale of this sword at auction in January of 1957 that this spectacular sword of great historic import was presented to Lt. Col. Joseph Reed by General George Washington himself. I believe that there is further research that might be completed on this provenance to further document this evidence. Circumstantially, Reeds close friendship and unswerving loyalty to Washington, his appointment to Adjutant General in 1776 which the sword is dated and Washington’s obvious relationship to Edmund Milne all combine to make the oral tradition and mid-20th century auction documentation very likely. A collector’s dream, the rarest of the rare, combining so many fine attributes that makes this inscribed Revolutionary War silver-hilted sword one of the finest pieces of American political, patriotic and military material culture ever offered for sale. CONDITION: Sword overall is in very good condition. Blade is gray overall with scattered areas of staining and pitting. Red felt washer is probably later replacement. Scabbard body is sound and complete though there is a leather repair about 10″ from tip. Leather body has been re-dyed black where areas of scuffing were present. Scabbard tip and throat exhibit numerous small dents, scrapes & scratches. Hilt and cross guard are very good overall, showing wear to high areas, exposing base metal where worn. 4-44101 JS (100,000-200,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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