Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - January - 2010 Issue
American Historical Documents from Joe Rubinfine
Signature of the Duke of Alburquerque
Item 6 is the manuscript account of his service by Revolutionary War soldier Isaac Glynney of Westford, Massachusetts, written around 1810. After the Boston Tea Party, his father and two older brothers joined the Minutemen and served at Lexington and Concord. However, his father became ill, and so the 14-year-old Isaac took his place, carrying a shovel (rather than rifle) to Bunker Hill where he helped build barricades. The rest of the 48-page narrative takes him to New York, across the river to Trenton, up to Saratoga, and eventually to Yorktown and the war's conclusion. Near the end, he speaks of the troops shouting and rejoicing at the thought of seeing Cornwallis surrender, but, "Washington...spoild all our fun for he told us if Any man Shouted or Laugh or made Any Nois or fun he should be punishd as for Misconduct for he said they would feel Bad Anough without this being Done so our fun Was all Done with." Such an extensive account by a low level soldier is extremely rare and of significant historical importance. $175,000.
Do you know where the New Mexico City of Albuquerque got its name? I'll bet most people in Albuquerque don't even know. It was named for Francisco Fernandez de la Cueva, the Duke of Alburquerque, a small town in Spain (note the slightly different spelling). Cueva was a viceroy of New Spain involved in the founding of the American city in 1660. Item 3 is a proclamation by the Spanish King that has been signed by Cueva as "El Duq de Alburquerq." $4,000.
You may reach Joe Rubinfine at 321-455-1666 or Joerubinfine@mindspring.com.
