HENRY DAWKINS, an English born important New York City and Philadelphia Engraver, who flourished circa 1753-1780, in 1776 he was Arrested and Imprisoned for Engraving Counterfeit Currency Notes of Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. His work includes bookplates, maps and music, including numerous rare historic engraved prints.
August 1, 1770-Dated Colonial Period, Autograph Document Signed, "Henry Dawkins" and also signed within the body of the document as, "Henry Dawkins of the City of Philadelphia, Engraver", 1 page, measuring about 4.5" wide x 10" tall, Very Fine. It is very well written in bold deep brown ink om laid period paper and is highly legible with some ink spread as shown. This document is Dawkins' Bond for thirty Pounds "lawfull money of Pennsylvania" to be paid to Sackeverall Wood. This rare "Henry Dawkins" signed document reads, in full:

“This bill bindeth me Henry Dawkins of the City of Philadelphia, Engraver, in the just sum of thirty Pounds Lawfull money of Pennsylvania To be paid unto Sackeverall Wood, his Executors, administrators or assigns at or upon the second day of August Instant, for the true payment whereof I bind myself, my Heirs, my Executors and Administrators, them and every of them, in the Penal sum of Sixty Pounds Lawfull money aforesaid, and further I do hereby empower any Attorney in any of his Majesty's Courts of Record, to appear for me or my Heirs, Executors & Administrators, and after one or more Declarations filed, for the above penalty thereupon to acknowledge judgement, or judgements, as of any Term, or Time Past or ensuing the date hereof, with Stay of Execution unto the said second day of August Instant as Witness my Hand and Seal this first day of August anno Domini 1770. -- (Signed) Henry Dawkins / Test(ified): “James Nevil” and “John Ridg”.

There is a Red Wax Seal at Dawkins' signature at bottom right, and this document is Signed by two witnesses, “James Nevil,” and “John Ridg”. A remarkable, rarely encountered example fully written by engraver Henry Dawkins, specially being fully signed twice!
HENRY DAWKINS, an English born important New York City and Philadelphia engraver who flourished circa 1753-1780. His work includes bookplates, maps and music, as well as the unsigned but significant 1774 satirical broadsheet, "Liberty Triumphant or the Downfall of Oppression".

In 1776, he was arrested and imprisoned for engraving counterfeit notes of Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York, but successfully petitioned Congress for his release and in 1780, he engraved portions of Colonial Currency notes of Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. He also engraved the First official Coat of Arms of the State of New York.