Wolverhampton US independence link signature 'worth £500,000'

A scribbled name on a scrap of paper could hold the key to a small fortune for a church in the Black Country - as one of the most expensive autographs in history.

The signature of former Wolverhampton man Button Gwinnett, who co-signed the American Declaration of Independence, is among the most sought after in the world, valued by some experts behind only the likes of William Shakespeare because of its rarity.

Collectors value it so highly as they seek to gather all 56 names on the declaration.

Last year a letter signed by the politician in 1776 sold for more than £495,000 at Sotheby's in New York, exceeding the high estimate auction officials had placed on the document.

Wolverhampton acquired its precious autograph when Gwinnett signed the parish register at St Peter's Church in 1757 when he married local girl Ann Bourne two years after arriving here from his native Gloucester.

In 1762, the 27-year-old merchant emigrated to America, starting a plantation in Georgia where he became a prominent politician and voted in favour of independence.

He became the second of the signatories to put his name to the famous parchment, but died in a duel just 10 months later after falling out with a political rival.

Gwinnett's signature is by far the most valuable American autograph. In addition to it being scarce, collectors are prepared to pay over the odds to obtain a complete set of the autographs of all 56 signers of the Declaration.

As Gwinnett, a forefather of current Wolverhampton mayor Malcolm Gwinnett, died young, fewer than 51 examples of his signature are known to exist.

Some years ago the relevant St Peter's register, which is owned by the Diocese of Lichfield, was removed from Staffordshire County Council records office and put in a bank vault in Wolverhampton for safety.

Now the vicar Reverend David Wright and the parish finance committee plan to view it.

Rev Wright said: "There's a facsimile in our visitor centre but we want to get into the vault and see the real thing."

By Marion Brennan