ANTIQUE 1772 KING GEORGE III VELLUM INDENTURE Document WAX SEALS Tax Stamp COA For Sale

An exceptional, museum-grade 1772 British legal \"Release\" indenture document executed during the twelfth year of the reign of King George III. This massive historical manuscript is meticulously handwritten in iron gall ink on heavy, authentic animal vellum. The outer panel features bold, crisp period legal calligraphy identifying the transaction as a formal \"Release,\" dated January 13th, 1772. Preserved with absolute care, this document includes its original pendant wax seals hanging from ribbon cords, hand-secured blue revenue tax stamps, and clear signatures on the reverse.

Historical Context & Legal Breakdown

• The Lease & Release System: In 18th-century English common law, property transfers required a two-part process to bypass rigid land laws. This document represents the crucial second step—the Release—which officially conveyed full ownership, rights, and title of the estate to the buyer.

• Pre-Revolutionary Era: Executed in early 1772, this manuscript directly predates the American Revolutionary War by four years, capturing the height of British imperial scribal traditions.

• Scribal Mastery: Inscribed by a master court clerk using specialized legal script, featuring elaborate, stylized flourishing on key opening terms such as \"Release\" and the names of the executing parties.

Technical Specifications

• Date of Execution: January 13th, 1772

• Monarch Reign: King George III

• Document Designation: Indenture Release (Deed of Transfer)

• Material: Heavy-gauge, authentic animal vellum (parchment)

• Unfolded Dimensions: 33 inches long x 27 inches wide

• Text Ink: Authentic 18th-century iron gall ink

• Revenue Authentication: Original blue hand-hammered embossed revenue tax stamp attached to the vellum margin

• Validation Seals: Intact original pendant wax seals suspended from integrated cloth ribbon cords along the bottom fold line

• Reverse Details: Handwritten identification docketing, verification layouts, and formal signatures on the backing sheet

• Preservation Status: Maintained in clean, stable storage conditions within PVC-free archival wrap, protecting the vellum from moisture, atmospheric shifts, and surface wear

Condition Report

Excellent museum-grade preservation for a 250+ year old vellum manuscript. The animal skin remains flexible and structurally sound, showing only the natural, honest toning and mild creasing expected of authentic folding parchment. The handwritten iron gall script is highly legible with strong contrast. The outer docketing panel displays clear, bold calligraphy with minimal surface wear. Pendant wax seals and ribbon attachments remain completely intact and firmly secured to the base margin.