How to Sell Your Thomas Jefferson Autograph
To auction, sell or consign your Thomas Jefferson autograph, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (natedsanders.com).
Reflecting On Thomas Jefferson
Founding Father Thomas Jefferson is perhaps best remembered for drafting the Declaration of Independence and the phrase “all men are created equal”. Jefferson also advocated for many American ideologies including separating the government from the church, individual rights and limited federal government. At Nate D. Sanders Auctions we’ve been lucky to have handled many Thomas Jefferson signed items from various times during his career.
Some Thomas Jefferson Autographs We’ve Sold:
Handwritten Report on Lewis & Clark Expedition — Sold for $226,871
Exceptional, museum-worthy report, handwritten by Thomas Jefferson as President, regarding the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Letter is addressed to William Jarvis of the U.S. consul in Lisbon, Portugal, dated 6 July 1805, describing the historic expedition that Jefferson authorized during his Presidency. In its entirety:
“Sir / Since my letters of the 19th & 20th of July 1804 I have received your favors of Oct. 6 Nov. 14-25 Dec. 3 1806 & May 15 1805. As also some articles of fruits & for which I may you accept my acknowledgments. The pipe of Arruda vine came also safely to hand, and is indeed of very superior quality. I should be glad to receive always of exactly the same quality, adhering to the rule of putting no brandy to them. I had been for some time expecting your draught [draft] for the amount; but as you mention in your last that when you forward another pipe you will draw for both, I shall hold myself in readiness, and will be glad the vine would come out in autumn, so as to be here before the winter sets in. It gives me much pleasure to see a hope that Portugal may be able to preserve her neutrality. That a government so just & inoffensive should be forced into a war with which it has nothing to do shows the most profligate disregard to human rights. It is a great felicity to us and it secures all our other felicities, that so wide an ocean is spread between us & the lions & tygers of Europe, as enables us to go forward in the path of justice and independence fearing nothing but our creator. The great powers of Europe could do us injury by sea & on our shores. But the spirit of independence in the country at large they can never bend. We are now suffering from privateers on our coast, and are therefore fitting out a naval force to go & force them to keep a reasonable distance from our shores. Capt. Lewis who has been sent to explore the Missouri to its source & thence to pursue the nearest water communication to the South sea, passed the last winter among the savages 1600 miles up the Missouri. Deputies from the great nations in that quarter (2500 miles from hence) are now on their way to visit us. Lewis finds the Indians every where friendly. He will probably set back in 1806. Receipt my friendly salutations and assurances of respect.”
Document measures 8″ x 10″ on two pages, with integral fly-leaf addressed to Jarvis in the hand of Jefferson’s secretary. Toning and folds throughout, with minor tape residue at top and a tiny chip at lower right corner. Near fine condition with bold, legible handwriting. An important piece of handwritten history by the President who commissioned America’s greatest exploration adventure. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A near exact copy of this letter resides in the Library of Congress’ Thomas Jefferson Papers. One of the two letters was produced by Jefferson’s polygraph machine (used from 1804 until his death), which provided an immediate copy of his handwritten letters. Though impossible to determine which copy was produced by the pen that Jefferson held, Jefferson typically kept the machine-produced letter as a copy for himself. Since this letter was mailed to William Jarvis (unlike the letter in the LOC), it’s probable that this letter was the one handwritten by Jefferson. Sold for $226,871.
Signed 1st Edition of the First U.S. Census — Sold for 66,435
Extremely rare Thomas Jefferson signed first edition of the first U.S. census, one of only a handful of Jefferson signed copies sold at auction in the last 40 years. As Secretary of State, Jefferson called for the first official census, and ratified the results of only a handful, this being one of them, signed boldly ”Th: Jefferson” on page 56. Published in Philadelphia: Childs and Swaine, 1791. Full title reads, ”Return of the Whole Number of Persons Within the Several Districts of the United States, According to ‘An Act Providing for the Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the Unites States’. Printed in a small number for distribution by Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State, and from his direct descendant, Thomas Jefferson Coolidge Jr., with Mr. Coolidge’s crested label to front pastedown. Bound in 19th century half-morocco and marbled boards, book measures 5” x 7.25”. This copy appears to be one of the very first printings of the first edition, as it lacks the tipped-in late-returning results from South Carolina often found on page 54. The lower margins of pages 34, 42 and 43 have been shaved by binder, otherwise copy is near fine with a touch of toning and foxing. Volume also includes a press copy of an autograph letter signed by Jefferson, affixed to rear endpaper, dated 8 October 1797, measuring 6.5” x 7.75”. Letter concerns a quarterly dividend of ”a few dollars over 300”, payable to Col. James Monroe. A rare opportunity for the very first census of the United States, signed by its 3rd President, with other such copies selling for approx. $100,000. Sold for $66,435.
Historically Important 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.
Explore more of the Thomas Jefferson autograph letters signed that we’ve sold.
Signed Ship’s Paper Signed as President — Sold for $13,401
Thomas Jefferson signed slip, “Th. Jefferson”. Signature in black ink appears on a slip mounted to a slightly larger slip, measuring 3.5″ x 2″ overall. Uniform toning to slip, in very good condition. Sold for $13,401.
View some of our additional Thomas Jefferson signed document sales.
Signed Free Frank Envelope Filled Out in Jefferson’s Hand — Sold for $6,250
Thomas Jefferson free frank envelope, signed ”free / Th: Jefferson” to upper left corner. Free frank envelope is hand-addressed by Jefferson to Dr. John B. Cutting in Washington, and bears red postage cancellation stamp reading ”Charl VA / Dec. 10” next to Jefferson’s signature. Measures 9.75” x 7.75” unfolded, with center panel measuring 5” x 3.5”. Folds and toning. In very good condition with still bold handwriting. Sold for $6,250.
Read more about Thomas Jefferson signed free franks and clipped autographs that we’ve sold.
Military Land Grant Signed as President — Sold for $5,625
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison document signed as President and Secretary of State respectively, datelined Washington, 20 May 1801. In this document granting land to American Revolutionary War veteran Holt Richerson, Jefferson and Madison assign land along the Little Miami River. Richerson served as Lt. Colonel of the 7th Virginia Regiment from 9 October 1777 to 10 May 1779, and thereafter was deputy sheriff of King William County. Visible portion of single page document measures 12.5” x 14.5”, framed to 18.5” x 20.75”. Not examined out of frame, but in very good condition with small loss at intersecting folds and hole next to paper seal. Sold for $5,625.
Clipped Signature — Sold for $4,375
Thomas Jefferson clipped signature, framed with an engraving of the third U.S. President. Signed ”Th: Jefferson”, slip measures 2.25” x 1”, framed to an overall size of 11.25” x 14.75”. Spot of foxing to signature, otherwise near fine. Sold for $4,375.
Learn more about Thomas Jefferson clipped signatures.
Thanks for learning about some of the Thomas Jefferson autographs we’ve sold! Our monthly auctions can be viewed at natedsanders.com.
FAQs
How do I consign or sell my Thomas Jefferson autograph?
It’s never been easier to sell your Thomas Jefferson autograph at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and images 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 a Thomas Jefferson autograph?
The value of your autograph can vary based on condition, subject matter and the year item is from.