Rare George Washington Autograph Letter to be Offered by Heritage!

Dallas, Texas: Heritage-Slater Americana (HSA) will offer a rare autograph letter from the pen of America's first President, George Washington, in their upcoming auction, to be held April 13, 2005 in their Dallas, Texas headquarters.

"This three-page letter, written entirely in Washington's hand, gives us an interesting insight into the mind and character of our first President," said Tom Slater, Director of HSA. "Dated March 21, 1796, and penned during Washington's term as President, the letter, addressed to Tobias Lear, discusses the disposition of a vacant building lot owned by Washington."

The letter reads, in part, "...A Mr. Summers of Alexandria is very desirous of purchasing my vacant lot in that town, - and having been told that nothing short of a high price would induce me to sell it, makes the offer contained in the enclosed letter - Whether this offer is high, or otherwise, depends upon comparison, the means of doing which is not within my reach, but through the medium of another; & therefore I give you the trouble of making some inquiry into the matter at any time when you are in Alexandria. - I have no wish to part with the lot unless I can do it upon advantageous terms; and can dispose of the money in a more productive manner. - I had thought of building on it, but this would be attended with trouble, and perhaps a good deal of imposition... And besides, workmens' wages, and materials are very high at this time. A thought has run through my mind (since I began this letter) whether, as I have a prospect, from the high price of flour, of raising five or six thousand dollars from the sales of it; it might not be eligible with that sum, and the sale of the vacant lot (to Summers) to make the purchase suggested in one of your former letters to me? -- if that property is in an eligible place (and I wish to know where it lies) or whether or not, if it would bring ten prCent [sic] on the purchase money it would certainly be more immediately advantageous to me than to let a part of the sum, necessary to command it, lay dead in a vacant lot; which, when built on, would only be to let... As the Post hour is at hand, & I have many letters to close, and prepare for the mail that I hardly know what I have written, or whether you will be able, fully, to comprehend my meaning..."

"Washington, like many of his contemporaries, owned a great deal of real estate," Slater continued, "including building lots like the one described above, as well as enormous tracts of land in the trans-Appalachian West. This letter is a great example for the collector wanting a Washington specimen with some financial content!"

The George Washington Autograph Letter, which is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from PSA/DNA, bears a pre-auction estimate of $20,000 - $30,000.

For more information about Heritage-Slater Americana auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HeritageAmericana.com. Heritage-Slater Americana is headquartered at 3500 Maple Avenue, Dallas, Texas, 75219-3941.

Potential consignors are invited to contact Tom Slater, TomS@HeritageGalleries.com, or by phone at 800-872-6467, ext. 441 or contact John Hickey at JohnH@HeritageGalleries.com, or by phone at 800-872-6467, ext. 264.