John Adams Signed Documents (DS): Values, Examples & How to Sell
To auction, sell or consign your John Adams signed document, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
What Is Valuable About a John Adams Signed Document?
John Adams held a variety of political positions that include President, Vice President, Revolutionary War leader and Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress. He signed many documents during his career that reflect these positions as well as important times in American History.
Some John Adams Signed Documents We Sold:
Document Signed as Vice President and President of the Senate — Sold for $25,041
Scarce autograph document signed by John Adams, who here signs in 1792 as “President of the Senate of the United States”. Then serving as Vice President under George Washington, Adams confirms receipt of the Rhode Island Electors for the 1792 Presidential election, which re-elected Washington and himself.
Document, composed entirely in Adams’ hand, reads in full, “Philadelphia Dec’r 25, 1792 / Rec’d from the hand of Daniel Updike Esquire a Packet certified by the Electors of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, to contain a List of their Votes for President and Vice President of the United States / John Adams President of the Senate of the United States.” Single page bifolium document measures 8″ x 9.625″. Separation starting along folds, small chips to left edge, a few pieces of tape repair and toning. Fully intact with bold handwriting, overall in very good condition. Originally from the collection of John Lorimer Graham. Sold for $25,041.
Signed Land Grant With Bold Signature — Sold for $8,319
John Adams land grant signed as President, dated 22 May 1800, awarding Brigadier General William Woodford 2,500 acres in Ohio between the ”Little Miami and Sciota Rivers”. Land was awarded to General Woodford for his military service in the Revolutionary War; General Woodford served with George Washington in the French and Indian War and was promoted to General in 1777 before being wounded at the Battle of Brandywine. In 1779 he was captured in the Battle of Charleston and, in 1780, died aboard a British prison ship. Woodford Counties in Kentucky and Illinois are named in his honor. Document is countersigned by Charles Lee as ”executing the office” of Secretary of State, and also by Secretary of War James McHenry upon the verso. Original blindstamped seal is intact. Grant measures 13” x 15”. Expected light wear to vellum, and a small triangular portion of paper loss to lower left. Overall in very good plus condition with an exceptionally bold signature by Adams. Sold for $8,319.
Land Grant Signed as President — Sold for $8,098
President John Adams signed land grant, dated 8 July 1799, with a bold, clear ”John Adams” signature in black ink to verso of 2pp. document. Countersigned by Secretary of State Timothy Pickering, grant gives more than a dozen Revolutionary War veterans ”titles to certain lands lying Northwest of the River Ohio, between the Little Miami and Sciota.” With extensive handwritten notes detailing the exact partitions of the property. Document on 2pp., front and verso, measures 18” x 20.5” and is nicely and cleverly framed twice; the smaller frame housing the document measures 23.25” x 26” and opens on a hinge, so that both sides of the document can be viewed. This frame is then attached to a larger frame measuring 41.5” x 36”. The back of the document displays very bold signatures of both President John Adams and Secretary of State Timothy Pickering. Original blindstamped seal intact. Creasing and separation to fold intersections with two small stains in the lowermost third of the document, else near fine. Some bumping to frame corners and edges, else frames are near fine. Sold for $8,098.
Document Signed as President — Sold for $7,500
John Adams document signed as President, on 10 January 1798. Vellum document grants land ”northwest of the river Ohio and above the mouth of Kentucky river”, which comprises the present-day states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Countersigned by Secretary of State Timothy Pickering, and with paper seal at lower left intact. Document measures 13.75” x 11.5”. Overall in very good condition with folds and better than expected condition of vellum. Adams’ signature is large and bold. Sold for $7,500.
4-Language Ship’s Papers Signed as President — Sold for $7,500
John Adams 4-language ship’s papers signed as President, datelined Washington, 13 June 1798. Adams empowers the sloop “Betsey” to navigate international waters with this document, countersigned by Secretary of State Timothy Pickering. Interestingly, attached to the document by silk thread is French certification just weeks before the unofficial naval war broke out between the United States and France, deemed the “Quasi-War”. In early 1797, Pickering told Congress that France had seized 316 U.S. merchant ships during the previous 11 months, leading up to the naval war that lasted from 1798-1800. Document measures 19″ x 15.5″ with two paper seals intact, and beautifully framed with a portrait of Adams to a size of 34.5″ x 23″. Archival repair to folds on verso, overall in very good plus condition with a prominent signature by Adams. Sold for $7,500.
Military Appointment Signed as President — Sold for $6,691
John Adams signs a military appointment, dated 15 May 1799. The President appoints Benjamin Conant of Massachusetts ”a Midshipman in the Navy of the United States. He is therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a midshipman, by doing and performing all manner of Things thereunto belonging.” It is signed, ”John Adams”. Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert countersigns. In the Quasi-War with France starting in 1798, Adams rebuilt the U.S. Navy, adding both ships and men. Conant served in the Navy until he was discharged on 30 April 1801 under the Peace Establishment Act. Light toning and soiling with minor creasing and chipping. Overall in very good condition. Sold for $6,691.
Thanks for checking out some of the John Adams signed documents we sold. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or if you’d like to sell your John Adams signed document. Learn how to sell your John Adams autograph.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a John Adams autograph and a signed document?
A John Adams autograph could mean many things, including an ALS, clipped signature, franking signature or a signed document. Meanwhile, a signed document includes historical context and usually reflects one of his political roles.
How much is a John Adams signed document worth?
The value of your signed document can vary based on condition, year signed and subject matter.