An 18th century Ships' Registry document signed by JOHN HANCOCK as Governor of Massachusetts on Jan.22, 1785.

This historic document was signed at Newburyport, Mass., and was issued to the Sloop Expedition, a 60 ton ship built at Salisbury, Mass., and owned by John Codman. The ships' master at that time was Ephram Lombard. The document has Hancock's very striking signature below an embossed paper seal. The document it self measures 12 1/2" by 15 1/2". It has the usual folds and creases and some small, nearly unnoticeable losses at two corners and at some creases. The document also shows very slight discoloration which is quite normal for documents of this period. Interestingly, at the bottom of the document, there is a later added sentence mentioning that the sloop had been rigged into a Brigantine in Boston as of Nov. 22, 1787. Historical note: Before 1792, each state was responsible for registering and certifying every vessel built within its' state. Provenance: Last sold by Goodspeed's Bookstore, Beacon Street, Boston, on Dec. 13, 1949. The document has now been magnificently framed and matted along with a close up photo of the portrait of Hancock done John Singleton Copley in 1765, which is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.