President of the Second Continental Congress and of the Congress of the Confederation; first Governor of Massachusetts; and the first person to sign the United States Declaration of Independence. DS, one page, 7.75 x 11.75, Commonwealth of Massachusetts letterhead, September 11, 1784. Governor Hancock certifies “that Joseph Greenleaf of Boston is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Suffolk in the Commonwealth.” Neatly signed at the conclusion in black ink, “John Hancock,” with his usual flourish underneath. In very good condition, with light storage folds, tape repair to detached top right corner and a slight fold separation and some scattered light toning and soiling. At the beginning of 1784, Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, formally ended the American Revolutionary War between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United States of America that had rebelled against British rule in 1776. The seal and ribbon are intact, and the signature is bold and large—an example much better than is typically encountered, and as appealing as you could hope to find. LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
