Bidspirit auction | 1664 ENGLISH VELLUM INDENTURE, MIDDLESEX

1664 ENGLISH VELLUM INDENTURE, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, REIGN OF CHARLES II - An English indenture regarding a tenement (a parcel of land occupied by a tenant) and its appurtenances (rights associated with the land) in Middlesex County in the South of England, recorded during the reign of King Charles II. The parties involved appear to be one John Houghton and his wife and two men named John and Ambrose Davenport. The listed sum to be paid is 280 pounds, worth roughly 29,500 pounds or 37,000 dollars in today's money. The document is signed by the relevant parties as well as a man by the name of Wyndham, probably a witness. One will notice at the top of the page a wavy edge, which may at first glance appear to be a decorative choice. In reality, this was a brilliant and simple security feature. The parties involved would have both had their own copy of the contract, both written on the same sheet of vellum. After the contract was finalized, it would have been cut with a wavy line to separate the copies. If there were ever a dispute in regard to the contract both parties would present their copies and match the wavy edges to each other. If the edges fit like a puzzle piece you would know that the document was the unchanged original and not a replacement. November 1664, Middlesex, England. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All lots are sold ”as-is”, refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions does not ship in-house. A list of recommended shippers will be provided. Dimensions: 12 1/4 x 21 1/2 in., (31.1 x 54.6 cm.) Condition: Very good for its age with minor wear in places, some slight obscuring of text at creases. Holes in vellum are imperfections that existed when this document was created.