| Description |
[Wewoka], Seminole Nation, I.T. � Wewoka Store 10 Cents in Merchandise ND (1870s-1880s) Burgett 2, Durand IT-99. PCGS Fine 15 Apparent. A tremendously rare location and semi-official scrip issued after the Civil War. Wewoka is today the seat of Seminole County, Oklahoma, and the home of the Seminole Nation Museum. The book Notable American Women, 1607-1950 includes a biography of Alice Brown Davis, daughter of Dr. John Frippo Brown of Scotland and a Seminole woman whom he met while traveling with the tribe as a physician during their forcible relocation from Florida. Alice and her husband ran a trading post. The book notes that the Seminole "trading houses conducted the tribal business, the Wewoka store acting as a bank. John F. Brown [who signed the note] acted as chief or advisor to the chief, and a younger brother was tribal treasurer." Printed on thick white paper, without imprint. This charming note has an ornamental border enclosing the denomination at top left and across the center, the obligation, and two asterisks at lower left. The vignette of a Native American woman with a very detailed dress is signed MACKWITZ (likely William Mackwitz). Mohistory.org indicates that William Mackwitz was an early St. Louis engraver and lithographer, and the organization holds sample engraving albums from the 1850s and 1860s. The website askART.com lists him with the vital dates of 1831 to 1919, and states that he was active or located in Missouri and Germany, and that he was known for his wood engravings. This appears to be the Burgett Plate Note. Noted with "Edge and Internal Tears and Hinge Repairs." A distinctive looking scrip and exceedingly rare. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
From Newman X (Heritage Auctions, November 2018), lot 20176, realized $2760. |
