1784–1787 Revolutionary War Era Merchant Ledger – Colonel Clement Biddle

The account spans 1784 through 1787, recording numerous purchases, credits, commissions, freight charges, imported Madeira wine, flour, chocolate, coffee, cotton, cash advances, and other mercantile transactions during the formative years of the new United States. The ledger offers a remarkable glimpse into post-Revolutionary Philadelphia commerce and the operations of one of America's leading merchant families.

Included is the original folded address panel addressed to:

"Clement C. offerdle Esq., Member of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia,"

bearing a manuscript postal rate, PAID handstamp, and original red wax seal. Contemporary docketing identifies the contents as:

"James McLingan Acct. Curr. with the Agency of Clement offerdle. Letter of March 6, 1787 enclosed."

Colonel Clement offerdle served as Commissary General under General George Washington during the Revolutionary War, helped supply the Continental Army at Valley Forge, later became Quartermaster General of Pennsylvania, and was appointed the first United States Marshal for Pennsylvania by President George Washington in 1789. He was also an influential Philadelphia merchant, broker, and member of the American Philosophical Society.

This is an outstanding survivor from the earliest years of the American republic, combining Revolutionary War history, early Philadelphia commerce, postal history, and the documentation of one of the nation's most important founding-era merchants. Comparable offerdle business manuscripts are scarce, particularly when preserved with their original docketed address wrapper.

Colonel Clement offerdle [1740–1814] was one of Philadelphia's foremost merchants, served as Commissary General under George Washington at Valley Forge, later became Quartermaster General of Pennsylvania, and in 1789 was appointed the first United States Marshal for Pennsylvania. He was also an early member of the American Philosophical Society, which appears on the accompanying address panel.

Included with the ledger is the original free-franked folded address leaf addressed to:

Clement C. offerdle Esq.
Member of the American Philosophical Society
Philadelphia

bearing a "PAID" handstamp, manuscript postal rate, and original red wax seal remnant. The docket on the reverse identifies the contents:

James McLingan Acct. Curr. with the Agency of Clement offerdle. Letter of March 6, 1787 enclosed.

The combination of the accounting ledger and its original docketed wrapper provides excellent provenance and greatly enhances the historical interest.

Condition

Large folio laid paper ledger.
Approximately three years of entries.
Original ink remains dark and highly legible.
Normal fold wear.
Minor edge wear and small separations at folds.
Original address panel with partial red wax seal and postal markings.
Very attractive display quality.

1784–1787 Revolutionary War Era Merchant Ledger – Colonel Clement Biddle – for sale

1784–1787 Revolutionary War Era Merchant Ledger – Colonel Clement Biddle –:
$995.00

Classic Cars For Sale

1784–1787 Revolutionary War Era Merchant Ledger – Colonel Clement Biddle – for sale

1784–1787 Revolutionary War Era Merchant Ledger – Colonel Clement Biddle –: $995.00

Classic Cars For Sale

1784–1787 Revolutionary War Era Merchant Ledger – Colonel Clement Biddle –:
$995.00