Thomas Jefferson Autograph Letter Signed (ALS): How to Sell & Examples

To auction, sell or consign your Thomas Jefferson autograph letter signed, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (natedsanders.com).

Thomas Jefferson’s Correspondence

Thomas Jefferson is remembered for writing many letters during his lifetime. He composed thousands of personal and professional letters while serving as President, Vice President, Secretary of State and governor. Jefferson wrote extensively to other Founding Fathers including James Monroe and John Adams. Thomas Jefferson also founded the University of Virginia, and wrote several letters when creating the school, during construction and when new programs were introduced.

Some Thomas Jefferson Autograph Letters We’ve Sold:

Autograph Letter Signed as Governor — Sold for $25,000

Thomas Jefferson autograph letter signed, “Th: Jefferson” as Governor of Virginia. From Richmond, Virginia, on 21 March 1781, Jefferson writes to General George Weedon regarding Benedict Arnold’s raid on Richmond in January; here, Jefferson offers strategies to prepare his men to face the turncoat traitor. With limited knowledge of the whereabouts of the various armies, Jefferson hatches a plan of action, writing: “…As I am certainly informed by Commodore Barron that the fleet arrived is British, I become anxious lest the expected French fleet not knowing of this incident may come into the bay. Should the Marquis Fayette be returned to the north side of the river, I make no doubt but he will have taken what cautionary measures are in his power and necessary. Should he not be returned I must beg the favour of you immediately to send off a vessel from York to the eastern shore (which is supposed to be practicable) with the enclosed letter to Col. Avery, the purport of which is to send out two good lookout boats from the seaside of that shore to apprize the French commander, should he be approaching, of the situation of things here. You will, of course, caution the master of the vessel to destroy the letters confided to him in case of inevitable capture…” Unbeknownst to Jefferson, the French and British had shown up and fought the Battle of Cape Henry the week prior. Measures 7.25″ x 9″. Single page letter has toning, some separation to horizontal fold, and seal hole, else near fine. Published in the “Papers of Thomas Jefferson,” 5:203. Sold for $25,000.

Historically Important Autograph Letter Signed as President — Sold for $24,000

Important Thomas Jefferson autograph letter signed “Th Jefferson” as President, dated 13 December 1803 from Washington. Letter, addressed to an unnamed Governor, sends a copy of proposed 12th amendment of the Constitution (not present) concerning the election of President and Vice-President. As described by the original provisions of the Constitution, each elector was to vote for two presidential candidates, and the candidate with the greater number of votes would then become president. In the election of 1800, the number of electoral votes for Jefferson and Burr were the same, leaving the responsibility of breaking the tie to the House of Representatives. The deadlock that ensued resulted in a crisis of uncertainty that was only resolved when Jefferson finally received a sufficient majority of state delegates on the 36th round of balloting. To prevent the possibility of the recurrence of such a crisis, several states proposed the amendment that accompanied the present letter. Reads in part: “…At the request of the Senate and the H. of Rep. of the U.S. I transmit to you a copy of an article of amendment proposed by Congress to be added to the constitution of the U.S. respecting the election of President and Vice-President to be laid before the legislature of the State over which you preside…” 7.5″ x 9.75″ document on one page is beautifully matted to 17.25″ x 14″ with a photo of Jefferson. Slight toning, dampstaining and expected folds else very good condition. Sold for $24,000.

Autograph Letter Signed From 1781 — Sold for $22,900

Thomas Jefferson signs “Th: Jefferson” as Governor of Virginia to an autograph letter. Datelined Richmond, 11 January 1781, 4 p.m. the letter to Brigadier General George Weedon discusses Benedict Arnold’s raid of Richmond: “…If they should pass Burwell’s ferry…your whole attention should be pointed to Fredsbrg. They have had the winds at their command & I am persuaded are at this moment either past Burwell’s ferry or in Williamsburg…By halting a day you will refresh your men, & perhaps increase your numbers so as to render your approach to Williamsburg more safe and more effectually relieving…I cannot do better now than to leave you master of your own actions, as events may become known to you sooner than to me, which might render any thing positive not only improper but mischievous…” Large 7.75″ x 13″ letter is contained on one long page, ideal for framing. Chipping to edges, else near fine. Published in Papers of Thomas Jefferson,” 4:339-340. Sold for $22,900.

Autograph Letter Signed From 1779 — Sold for $17,625

Thomas Jefferson signed autograph letter “Th. Jefferson” as Governor of Virginia, to [Benjamin Harrison]. Dateline reads, “In Council June 7, 1779.” 1 page, oblong 4to, minor spotting, otherwise good condition. An important unpublished letter to Benjamin Harrison, Speaker of the House of Delegates of Virginia, pertaining to financial crisis in the midst of the Revolutionary War. Jefferson, elected governor by a joint ballot of both houses of the legislature on June 1, 1779, accepted the position willingly. Only a week after he took office, Jefferson received an urgent request for funds from the Continental Congress. Letter reads: “The inclosed resolutions & acts of Congress came yesterday by earness from Philadelphia. I do myself the honor of inclosing them to you with the letters which accompanied them & requesting the favor of you to lay them before the General assembly. I am Sir/ With the utmost respect/ Your most obedient/ & most humble serv’t/ Th. Jefferson (signed).” A fine Thomas Jefferson signed autograph letter. Sold for $17,625.

Autograph Letter Signed From Monticello — Sold for $12,925

Thomas Jefferson signed autograph letter “Th: Jefferson” to an unknown recipient, Monticello, [VA] 1 November 1817. 1 page 8vo, tape stains at folds. A recommendation given by Jefferson for his grand-nephew John Carr. Jefferson’s sister Martha married Dabney Carr in 1765, but upon Dabney’s death in 1773, Martha brought her six children to live at Monticello. Jefferson developed a particularly close relationship with his nephews and their children. In 1817 Jefferson championed his grand-nephew’s enlistment in the navy with this letter of recommendation that may have been delivered directly to Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Crowninshield: “The bearer of this, Mr. John Carr, the son of a nephew of mine, was I believe unregistered on the roll of midshipmen about two years ago. His time since that has been employed at school to improve his qualifications, and he now goes on to enter on the duties which may be prescribed to him. He is a young man of excellent character. His father who goes on with him will be able to inform you of his age, course of studies, and any other particulars which may be of importance. Any favor you can show to him will be gratefully acknowledged by myself.” Thomas Jefferson signed autograph letter in very good condition. Sold for $12,925.

Autograph Letter Signed to Reverend Frederick Hatch — Sold for $9,952

Thomas Jefferson signed autograph letter to Reverend Frederick Hatch, Monticello, 30 January 1825. Jefferson lived the lavish life of the Virginia planter class and was forced to make substantial entertaining expenditures during his presidency. Unfortunately, his income could not cover his costs. He writes to Hatch to settle an account of debt, reads in full: “I should sooner have complied with the request of yours of the 26th but that I had asked the account of another person which I had wished to include in the same draught on Richm and I expected to have received it yesterday, but being disappointed I send you a separate draught for which Mr. Raphael will I expect give you the cash. Accept my friendly salutations.” Signed boldly as “Th: Jefferson.” 1 page 4to, folds professionally repaired. Reverend Hatch, an Episcopal minister taught Jefferson’s grandsons at a school in Charlottesville. Jefferson graciously paid the boys schooling expenses and it seems likely that the debt at hand involved their education. When Jefferson died it was the Reverend Hatch who performed the funeral services. An excellent Thomas Jefferson signed autograph letter. Sold for $9,952.

Autograph Letter Signed As Lawyer for General Thaddeus Kosciusko — Sold for $8,880

Thomas Jefferson autograph letter signed as the attorney for Revolutionary War hero General Thaddeus Kosciusko of Poland. Datelined Monticello, 29 June 1811, Jefferson writes to the Bank of Pennsylvania in part: “…Be pleased to have paiment [sic] made to John Barnes or order of all dividends which shall become due on the 1st day of July…for the shares of stock held by Genl Thaddeus Kosciusko…for which this shall be your sufficient voucher…Thos Jefferson Atty for Genl Thad. Kosciusko…” After retiring to Monticello in 1809, Jefferson fell into debt and was forced to turn to friends, like Thaddeus Kosciusko, for financial assistance. Here Jefferson, acting as Kosciusko’s attorney, authorizes the Bank of Pennsylvania to pay funds in order to satisfy part of his debts. Years later, after fire destroyed the Library of Congress, Jefferson sold his beloved 6,500 volume book collection to the United States for $23,950 rather than default on loans from his friends. Letter is handsomely framed & matted with a portrait of Jefferson and two plaques to an overall 24.75″ x 22″. Fine condition. Sold for $8,880.

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FAQs

What is the difference between a Thomas Jefferson autograph letter signed (ALS) and a signed document?
A Thomas Jefferson autograph letter signed contains his signature and a handwritten letter in his hand. A document signed by Jefferson includes his signature, but the rest of the document was not necessarily written in his hand.

View some of the Thomas Jefferson signed documents we’ve sold.

What is the value of a Thomas Jefferson autograph letter signed (ALS)?
The value of a Jefferson ALS can vary depending on the content of the letter, condition and the year it was written in.