Andrew Bradford [1686-1742] Broadside

Bradford, Andrew: POWER OF ATTORNEY, PRINTED BY EARLY PHILADELPHIA PRINTER ANDREW BRADFORD, AND EXECUTED BY MARINER ROBERT GEORGES, 5 JUNE 1742 `. Philadelphia: Sold by Andrew Bradford, at the Bible in Front-street, [1742].

Printed broadside, 8" x 12-1/2." Completed in manuscript. Chip at blank upper right corner and at bottom margin, neither affecting any text. The date is printed as "One Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty ---, the blank filled in with "Two." Old folds. Very Good.

Andrew Bradford [1686-1742] was the son of William Bradford, Pennsylvania's first printer. Andrew was probably Pennsylvania's only printer for about a decade after 1712, when his father settled in New York. In 1719 Andrew launched Pennsylvania's first newspaper, the American Weekly Mercury. One of Franklin's fiercest competitors, Bradford printings that have his mark are rare on the market, and this one demonstrates the competitive market for these "job prints." Compare this document to the different examples of Miller 10 in this collection. (BF-2024.002, BF-2024.004, BF-2024.005)

This document indicates the sophisticated quality of Bradford's press: the first word, "KNOW," is elaborately printed. In pertinent part, the document reads, "KNOW All Men by these Presents, That I, Robert Georges of the City of Philadelphia, Marriner have made, ordained and constituted my trusty and loving Friend John Shewbart Vinler of the sd City My true and lawful Attorney, for me, and in my name, and for my Use, to ask, demand, sue for and receive all such Sum and Sums of Money, Debts, Goods and other Demands whatsoever, which are or shall be due, owing, payable and belonging to me. . . by William Bladwell Commander of the Swift Man of War, Stationed in North Carolina, or any other person or persons whatsoever. . . In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this [Fifth[ day of in the [Fifteenth] Year of His Majesty's Reign, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty [Two]."

The purpose of this Power of Attorney was probably to authorize Shewbart to collect moneys due to Georges from his service on the Man of War Swift. Wikipedia says: "Swift was commissioned in May 1741 under Commander William Bladwell, and assigned to the protection of British shipping off the Carolinas station in North America. In July 1741 she sailed to the aid of the British colony on St Simons Island, which was besieged by a Spanish army from Florida. She came within sight of the Spanish fleet in St Simons harbour on 13 July, accompanied by her sister ship Hawk and the ageing 24-gun post-ship Flamborough. However, Flamborough's captain Joseph Hamar refused to engage the larger Spanish fleet, and all three British vessels promptly returned to Charlestown. Their appearance unnerved the Spanish, who abandoned their assault and retreated first to Jekyll Island and then back to Florida."

From Catalog III

A printed legal form from the shop of Franklin's first Philadelphia rival, filled in and signed in June 1742, the year Bradford died. Bradford had given Franklin work when he first arrived and lost the Assembly's printing to him; his blanks and Franklin's sat in the same lawyers' drawers.