War-date franking signature, “Go: Washington,” on the central portion of an 8.75 x 7 address leaf addressed in another hand to “George Baylor Esq., Col. of a Regiment of Dragoons, Fredericksburg,” April 25, 1777. (Another, partially eradicated date of indeterminate origin, November 28, 1775, appears above.) Baylor (1752–1784), Washington’s first aide-de-camp, was severely injured in a bloody surprise attack on his regiment in September 1778 that attained infamy as the Baylor Massacre. On April 12, 1777, less than two weeks before Washington sent the present item, the British General Cornwallis launched the New Jersey campaign that proved to be one of the pivotal American successes of the war. A portion of the original wax seal remains intact near the bottom edge. In very good to fine condition overall, with archivally repaired tear (well away from writing), mild scattered soiling, faint spotting, and light toning along folds. The bold, dark signature, desirable format, and significant association add up to a most exceptional example from this most important of American statesmen! LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
