Auction Closing: March 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Lot Number: 1
Estimate Range: $8,000 - $10,000
President "John Adams" Signed Four Language Ship Papers

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JOHN ADAMS (1735 - July 4, 1826). 2nd President of the United States (1797-1801), American Founding Father, Lawyer, Statesman, Diplomat and Leading Champion of American Independence in 1776, Defended the British Soldiers involved in the "Boston Massacre," Member of the Continental Congress, a leading Federalist and much more.0

June 8, 1797-Dated Partially-Printed Document, Official Four Language Ship Papers Signed, "John Adams" as President, with "Timothy Pickering" as Secretary of State (1745-1829), plus "Jos.(eph) Hiller" as Collector of the District of Salem and Beverly (Mass.), Framed, Choice Very Fine or better. This John Adams Signed Document measures 15.5" x 19.5" (by sight), professionally framed and viewed through special UV Plexiglas. The custom matted wood frame with an inner wood trim liner and heavy tan linen surround measuring fully to 26" x 30" having great eye appeal and ready to hang on display. There are four small unobtrusive fold intersection wear holes repaired, the laid period paper has been well blended in conservation with only some words of text lost in the second column from right near bottom. Overall, this is a lovely whole and solid Document of superior quality that looks wonderful.

The large 3” diameter white official Embossed Seal of the United States at left is virtually perfect, being fully intact, with an exceptional sharp strike and excellent details. The black printed text is strong, clear, and sharp with clear rich brown ink manuscript portions and signatures as shown.

This Document was made to the Ship "Hazen" of the Port of Salem (Mass.), Jonathan Hodges being Master and Commander, bound for Batavia with a cargo of "Wine, Ballast & Stores." Also, Signed (multiple times) by, "Wm. Prescott" (1762-1844) as Justice of the Peace at Salem, Mass., who graduated in the Harvard Class of 1783, was a Revolutionary War Major in the Salem Regiment, Lawyer, and State Senator; the Son of the noted American Revolutionary War hero William Prescott, Sr. (1726-1795), the historic Revolutionary War Colonial Militia Officer who fought at Bunker Hill. Timothy Pickering was a politician from Salem, Massachusetts who served in a variety of roles yet most notably as the Third United States Secretary of State under Presidents George Washington, and on this current Document for John Adams. Pickering also represented Massachusetts in both houses of Congress as a member of the Federalist Party.

Overall, this "John Adams" Signed Four Language Ship Papers is clean and attractive, far above average, having significant eye appeal. The primary signature, "John Adams" as President is very large and prominent being beautifully penned in rich brown ink. It stands out prominently in the wide open field just above the text, "By the President," with Adams' tall signature measuring a very large 3" long. An important American Document Signed, "John Adams" and others, impressively framed and ready for display.