Philadelphia Gets Back Missing Letter Signed by Betsy Ross
- Share via
PHILADELPHIA — A rare document, dated 1776 and bearing the signature of Colonial flag maker Betsy Ross, has been returned to city archives after a mysterious absence of more than 20 years, officials said Friday.
Register of Wills Ronald Donatucci said the document--a letter of administration signed by Ross after the death of her first husband, John Ross--was probably stolen from unsecured city archives in the 1950s.
The city first learned the document, which has been appraised at $50,000, was missing when it was spotted in a Sotheby’s auction catalogue earlier this year, Donatucci said.
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
