The New York Stamp Act Riot of 1765
The First American Revolt Against Taxation Without Representation
The only copy in America

[American Revolution] Manuscript placard:

"Pro patria. The first man that either distributes or makes use of Stampt Paper, let him take care of his house, person & effects. Vox Populi. We dare"

N.D. [New York, October 23rd, 1765]

P.o.R.

Single sheet of laid paper, without a watermark: 19 x 15.4 cm.

Minor soiling, edge wear, and several old folds. Small pieces of archival tape to the blank verso. With two inscriptions by previous owners on the recto, offering evidence of authentication. Provenance: This placard was formerly in the possession of the English merchant and diarist Joshua Brookes (1773-1859), who famously dined with George Washington at Mount Vernon on 4th February, 1799.

A remarkable survivor from the very first moment of American revolutionary activity, this placard was one of many –all but two of which are now lost- posted on doors and at street corners in New York City on the evening of October 23, 1765, as a warning to New Yorkers against the use of British stamped paper, which was due to be unloaded within days from a ship at anchor in New York Harbor. This is one of only two examples extant. It is the only copy in America and the only copy in private hands.

Only one other placard, almost identical to this one, has survived. That example was included by the acting Royal Governor of New York, Cadwallader Colden, in his official report of the events surrounding the arrival of the paper in New York and the ensuing riots, which he sent to Secretary of State Henry Seymour Conway in England on October 26th. That example now resides among the Colonial Office papers (New York Papers, No. 158) in the National Archives (Kew).

For further details and price, please contact Paul Dowling directly at 202-907-7429