Framed Antique Vellum Land Indenture, 1811, London

Vellum land indenture, 1811, London. Parties mentioned include Richard Phillip Higham, Henry Parry, and John Alliston.

The document contains two seals. The blue seal is likely a scrivener’s seal. Scriveners were granted authority to draft contracts, wills, and documents similar to deeds that conveyed assets from one party to another. The red wax seal is that of the document signatory.

Indentures are legal contracts, and are entirely written by hand (in English) on large sheepskins, in keeping with legal practice dating back to Medieval times. Today, these ancient British legal manuscripts are prized collector’s items, and make impressive decorator accents when matted and framed.

Dimensions:
16.25″h x 23″w (vellum)
23.75″h x 30″w” (frame)

Consition:
Good/Fair. The writing is a little blurry,. The vellum has some wrinkles. Not examined out of frame.

Provenance:
A Private Collection: 1111 Park Avenue, NYC