How to Sell Your John Adams Autograph or Signature
To auction, sell or consign your John Adams autograph, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
Remembering John Adams
Founding Father John Adams a leader of the American Revolution and the second U.S. president who served one term between 1797 and 1801. He was one of the most famous opposers of the Stamp Act and was a negotiator of the Treaty of Paris at the end the Revolutionary War. The Quasi-War with France occurred during his presidency and as a response he signed the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798, which reduced the rights of foreigners in the U.S. and consequently diminished his popularity. He is remembered for his strong patriotism, honesty and independent mind.
John Adams Autographs We Sold:
Letter Signed on the American Revolution — Sold for $45,000
Exceptionally stirring and important letter signed by John Adams almost 50 years after the American Revolution, after which enough time had passed that Adams felt compelled to correct the record about the true causes of the American Revolution. Addressed to Jonathan Mason of Boston, letter is dated 31 August 1820 from “Montezillo”, Adams’ playful comparison to Jefferson’s larger estate at Monticello. In this letter, Adams posits that the fear and hatred of heirarchy, especially in matters of religion by The Church of England, were the wellspring of revolution, rather than simple economic or social issues. In part, “…The real principles, Motives, and feelings which gave rise to the Revolution have been very superficially and imperfectly investigated. For one example among many, The dread of the Hierarchy; and of the high principles in Religion and government; which then prevailed in the Church of England and which were more openly and dogmatically professed and asserted in America than in England itself – Are not sufficiently known, and have not been sufficiently considered. – Indeed it is almost impossible to convince at this day, any young Man; or even any middle aged Man of the extravagance to which those high doctrines were carried before the Revolution…And of the Authority of the Church in matters of Religion – yet these Doctrines, I heard asserted almost every day – The idea that such a Church, and such doctrines and such Hierarchy where [sic] to be established by Act of Parliament appeared to me worse than Death – As I know this to be the feeling and Principle of all the Dissenters in America – I did not believe they would submit to it…I therefore believe as early as I can remember, that this Country would never submit to the Unlimited Authority of Parliament – And this opinion forced me to consider what would be the consequences of an attempt on the part of Great Britain, to carry into execution a Soverign Legislative Authority over Us. – War and Carnage, and devastation I saw – or thought I saw must be the consequence – and I fully believed that all the horrours of such a Contest would never wholly subdue the old non-conformist Spirit…” Signed boldly and clearly “John Adams”. Two page letter with integral franked address leaf measures 8″ x 10″. Minor loss from seal tear on address leaf, else near fine. Housed in a light blue cloth folding case, with the blue morocco spine lettered gilt. Sold for $45,000.
Learn about more John Adams autograph letters signed.
Twice-Signed Check — Sold for $24,361
John Adams twice-signed check, signed ”John Adams” at lower right and also ”John Adams Welsh” to his namesake, the son of his close friends Thomas and Abigail Welsh. Partially printed check is drawn from the ”Massachusetts Bank” in 1815 for $100, filled out in Adams’ hand, and unusual in that most payments of the time were entirely handwritten, in the form of a promissory note, and not a bank-issued document such as this. Check measures 4.75” x 2”, irregularly trimmed along edges. Two file holes, not affecting signatures; overall in very good plus condition. Slabbed by PSA/DNA. A rare check signed by the second President. Sold for $24,361.
Document Signed From 1772 — Sold for $13,002
John Adams signed document datelined “County of Suffolk, the last Tuesday of August A.D. 1772.” Signed “John Adams” at close in bold black ink. An unusual document highlighting a future President’s successful career at the bar, and linking him to Benjamin Franklin. In July 1771 Franklin won a judgment in the “Inferring Court of Common Pleas” against “Samuel Hall for one hundred & seventy-seven pounds and sixteen shillings, Lawful Money of Great Britain Debt and costs of suit; from which Judgment [Hall] appealed to his Honourable Court, and recognized to prosecute the same, but failed to do so: Wherefore the Complainant prays Affirmation of the said Judgment with additional interest & costs.” The extra costs consisted of seven shillings in attorneys fees and four shillings sixpence for three days of attendance at Court. Adams set up his legal practice in Boston in 1768, and by 1772 it was thriving, thanks in no small part to his role in several high profile cases. He defended John Hancock on smuggling charges in 1768 and in 1770 won acquittal for Captain Thomas Preston and six other British soldiers accused of perpetrating the Boston Massacre. Here, Adams evidently performed some legal work for still another leading colonial name, Benjamin Franklin. Document measures 5.75″ x 7.25″. Overall toning and usual letter folds, else excellent condition. Sold for $13,002.
Explore additional documents signed by John Adams.
Land Grant Signed as President — Sold for $10,525
John Adams land grant signed as President on 19 January 1801, countersigned by Secretary of State and future Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall. Signed prominently ”John Adams”, document grants land to two soldiers for their service in the Revolutionary War. Partially printed document measures 13” x 15”, framed to 34.25” x 33”. Weighs 20 lbs. Folds and some creasing, otherwise near fine condition. Sold for $10,525.
Signed Copy of Jonathan Mayhew’s A Discourse — Sold for $8,400
John Adams signed copy of “A Discourse, Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers”. Boston: Hall & Goss, 1818. Signed “John Adams” on 15 November 1818 to Mary Sophia Quincy, the daughter of Josiah Quincy III, mayor of Boston and President of Harvard University, and a relation of Adams on his wife’s side.
Written by minister Jonathan Mayhew who coined the phrase “No taxation without representation,” “A Discourse” was one of the central publications advocating for American independence from Great Britain. Inscribed in another hand on the title page, reading, “Presented to Mary Sophia Quincy / Nov 15th 1818 by -” after which Adams signs his name, “John Adams’. Bound in three-quarter leather with gilt titling to spine. Measures 5″ x 8.5”. One of the most important books underpinning the American Revolution, signed by one of its most important patriots. Sold for $8,400.
Signed 4-Language Ship’s Papers — Sold for $7,563
As President, John Adams signs his full name in black ink to a ship’s passport concerning Jonathan Hodges, commander of the ship ”Hazen”, on 8 June 1797. Document is co-signed by Timothy Pickering, Secretary of State, and retains its paper seal of the United States at middle left. Printed in 4 languages: French, Spanish, English and Dutch, respectively. Document measures 19.5” x 15.5”, framed to 26” x 21.75”. Light toning, archivally repaired at intersecting folds, overall in very good plus condition. Sold for $7,563.
Patent Signed as President — Sold for $7,350
John Adams patent signed as President, a rare type of document signed by the second President. Dated 14 December 1799, Adams affirms an invention by Abijah Wilder for an improvement “in making runners and bows for Sleighs and Sleds.” Signed “John Adams” at lower right, with a large signature by Adams. With intact wax-based paper seal, and ribbon along left edge binding it to a second vellum document of the same size describing the invention. Vellum document measures 12″ x 14″. Folds, including one touching signature, and light soiling. Very good condition. Scarce. Sold for $7,350.
Military Appointment Signed as President — Sold for $7,032
John Adams appointment signed as President, dated 17 April 1799. Here, Adams appoints Samuel Harrison as First Lieutenant. Document reads in part, “…I have nominated and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate do appoint him as first Lieutenant in the thirteenth Regiment of Infantry in the service of the United States: to take rank as such…” Nice, clear “John Adams” signature at conclusion. Also signed by the Secretary of War, James McHenry. Document is beautifully preserved in a gilt frame with a cream colored mat measuring 38.35″ x 27″. The document, which has creasing and folds throughout, measures 16″ x 10.25″. Overall in very good condition with original U.S. blindstamped seal intact. Also includes portrait engraving and placard of the second President of the United States. Sold for $7,032.
Free Franked Signature — Sold for $3,750
John Adams free franked signature, upon an address leaf made out in his hand to his son Thomas Adams. Adams writes in full, ”Thomas B. Adams / Attorney at Law / J. Adams / Philadelphia”. Stamped ”Free” and postmarked 12 October, year unknown. Toning and light discoloration at corners, overall very good. Sold for $3,750 at auction.
This wraps up our John Adams autograph sales blog! Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like to sell your John Adams autograph. Learn more about our Founding Father autograph sales and check out our George Washington and Benjamin Franklin pages.
FAQs
How do I consign or sell my John Adams autograph?
It’s never been easier to sell your John Adams autograph at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and photos of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with a free appraisal.
This sounds great and I’d like to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement to review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days following the auction.
What factors determine the value of John Adams autograph?
The value of your autograph can vary based on condition, subject matter and date of the document.