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Kenrick A.Claflin & Son

3019. (testimonial) Massachusetts Humane Society. Monitor Life Raft. Nantucket. c.1884

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3019. (testimonial) Massachusetts Humane Society. Monitor Life Raft. Nantucket. c.1884

3019. (testimonial) Massachusetts Humane Society. Monitor Life Raft. Nantucket. c.1884. Testimonial in form of a printed letter with printed signature of F. C. Sanford, extolling the Monitor Life Raft. Nantucket. April 22, 1884. 8″ x 10.5″. In 1872 the Massachusetts Humane Society purchased the “Monitor” Life Raft and delivered it to Nantucket to be experimented with and test its qualities. This printed letter by Frederick Coleman Sanford [supposed] Massachusetts Humane Society member, praises the life saving Monitor raft for how easy it is to inflate and set out, how well it handles, and its capacity. Sanford writes “The men of the Monitor said, as they struck the shore, that they could beat anything afloat, and would go to Bermuda in this craft….” The Massachusetts Humane Society commonly purchased or funded new life-saving boats and devices in an effort to improve the survival of sailors and rescuers along the coast. This document relates to their testing of this new life-saving craft. Short tear at top middle and another on right hand fold and smudge not affecting text. Nothing on verso. Frederick Coleman Sanford was an island benefactor and probably a member of the Massachusetts Humane Society on the island. He worked circa 1828 as a silversmith and watchmaker in Nantucket and was a partner in 1830-1838 with James Easton in Nantucket as EASTON & STANFORD. After he sold his interest in the shop to Easton, Sanford went on to become an extremely wealthy ship owner, international businessman and benefactor to Nantucket. He was the president of the island’s leading bank, Pacific National Bank, from 1865 until his death in 1890. He was also an avid book and art collector and at his death his 1,000+ volume library and paintings from the China trade era were given to The Nantucket Atheneum along with 1/3 of his fortune as an endowment. The remaining 2/3 was divided between the town and the Unitarian Church. (VG+). $44.