English Indenture

Up for auction is a professionally framed, matted and tagged English Indenture from 1789.  The Indenture is for a one year land lease in County Kent, England during King George the III reign.  King George the III would be the last monarch to rule the new America and his reign saw the last of these old world style indentures as the new world lost appreciation for the monarchy and the flourish and fancy became a thing of the past in the 1790's.  An indenture is a legal document and the tradition of handwriting them on vellum or sheepskin sheets dates backto the medieval period.  The most popular of these are the specimens from King Goerge's Reign, like this one.  These used to be pretty plentiful but in 1986 the English Barristers Association began asking that old vellums be donated to the National Trust rather than resold.  This particular one has the headline "This Indenture" at the top with bold, black flourishes and continues in Old English language with the date and details of the transaction.  This one has a blue foil tax stamp in the upper left-hand corner and a single red wax seal by the attending barrister, one John Packer, centered nicely at the bottom.  The wax seals were made by the signet ring worn by the particular barrister unlike today where they are in nice little manufactured kits.  This beautiful piece of history has been professionally matted in three tiered ivory and the brass plaque, the same.  The plaque reads "Lease for a Year, May 4th 1789 During the Reign of King George III, County Kent, Great Britain. "  The overall measurements of the framed piece is 35.5 by 30.5 inches.  The frame is solid cherry and is gorgeous.  This is a stunning ensemble and could grace the most elegant of rooms or would be perfect in a den or library.  The item can be picked up locally near Tampa or shipping will be $50 plus optional insurance set according to final value of auction.