Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Pennsylvania (circa 1716–1781). As a late replacement for a delegate who refused to support independence, Taylor missed the vote but signed the formal Declaration on August 2, 1776. Bold ink signature, “Geo. Taylor,” on 3.75 x 2.5 slip partly affixed to a larger card. The slip also bears the ink name “Richard Backhouse.” In very good condition, with clipped lower right corner, light soiling and wrinkling, unobtrusive restored tears touching first name, and faint crease just touching bottom edge of signature. In his 1995 reference History Comes to Life, Kenneth Rendell places Taylor’s autograph material into the “very rare” category among the Signers—an echelon second only to that occupied by the virtually unobtainable Gwinnett and Lynch. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
