Robert Spring Forged George Washington Letter, Early to Mid-19th Century

Item Details

A George Washington forged letter by Robert Spring. Robert Spring (1813–1876) was an English-born bookseller who became a notorious American forger specializing in Revolutionary War-era documents. He primarily fabricated letters and military passes attributed to George Washington, though he also imitated the handwriting of Benjamin Franklin and Lord Nelson. To achieve authenticity, Spring used period-correct paper and a specially formulated ink made of sulfate of iron that mimicked the oxidation of 18th-century scripts. He often sold these works under aliases, claiming to be a widow or an impoverished descendant forced to sell family heirlooms. Despite several arrests in Philadelphia, he continued his trade for decades, flooding the market with so many high-quality fakes that some were initially accepted by major museums. Today, his ‘Spring Forgeries’ are considered unique historical artifacts and are studied by forensic document examiners to identify hallmarks of 19th-century fraud.

Condition

- creases; folds; tears; edgewear; toning; fading; surface marks.

Dimensions

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Item #

ITMGS43619