Thomas Jefferson Signed Documents (DS): Values, Examples & How to Sell
To auction, sell or consign your Thomas Jefferson signed document, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (natedsanders.com).
Signed Documents During Jefferson’s Career
Thomas Jefferson’s most memorable event as president is the Louisiana Purchase, when the U.S. bought land from France and almost doubled the size of the nation. This gave the country access to the Mississippi River, and led to expansion and hiring Lewis and Clark to map out the newly acquired land. The Louisiana Purchase also meant the government distributed more land for settlement around Jefferson’s presidency. We’ve sold a variety of Thomas Jefferson signed documents, including land grants he signed as president.
Some Thomas Jefferson Signed Documents We’ve Sold:
Signed Three-Language Ship’s Papers — Sold for $15,750
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson signed three-language ship’s papers, signed by Washington as President and Jefferson as Secretary of State, granting passage to the sloop Lark. Dated 12 February 1794 when the document was presented by the ship’s Captain to the customs office, and after Washington and Jefferson signed the papers in advance of the voyage. With large signatures by Washington and Jefferson in center of the document, next to the fully intact red wax-based paper seal. Partial document has been trimmed on three sides, measuring approximately 10″ x 6.25″. Fold touching the top part of Washington’s signature and light wear consistent with age; overall in very good condition. With JSA COA for both signatures. Sold for $15,750.
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.
Ship’s Papers Signed as President — Sold for $11,196
Thomas Jefferson ship’s papers signed as President. Attractive vellum document shows naval vignettes intercut with a scalloped top edge, complete with red wax-based paper seal. Signed by the President, “Th. Jefferson” at bottom right, and also “James Madison” as Secretary of State. Document is dated 1 July 1805, reading in part, “…the Ship Hermoine of Biddeford [Maine], Solomon Hopkins — master or commander, of the burthen of Two Hundred Twenty Five of 83/95 tons or thereabouts, mounted with no guns, navigated with Nine men to pass with her Company, Passengers, Goods and Merchandize, without any hindrance, seizure or molestation the said ship appearing by good testimony to belong to one or more of the Citizens of the United States…” Measures 10.375″ x 14.875″. Light discoloration and folds, one touching signatures, overall in very good plus condition. Sold for $11,196.
Four-Language Ship’s Paper Signed as President — Sold for $9,983
Thomas Jefferson autograph four-language ship’s paper signed as President, dated 7 October 1801. Document, translated in English, Spanish, French and Dutch, permits the brig Hope to pass from New Haven to Martineco under the command of Daniel Morris. Jefferson signs ”Th: Jefferson” to middle of partially printed document, with Madison’s signature, ”James Madison” underneath. Measures 17” x 22”. Some toning along folds and a few places of archival reinforcement to verso. Very good plus. Sold for $9,983.
Signed Ship’s Paper — Sold for $7,613
Scalloped ship’s paper signed by Thomas Jefferson as President and James Madison as Secretary of State. Attractive document features two nautical vignettes, undated, likely signed by the men prior to intended use as was the custom. With intact red wax-backed paper seal. Vellum document measures 10.25″ x 15.5″. Folds, else near fine. Sold for $7,613.
Document Signed as Secretary of State — Sold for $7,500
Thomas Jefferson autograph document signed ”Th: Jefferson” as Secretary of State. Dated 8 May 1792 from Philadelphia, printed document is headed, ”Second Congress / of the / United States” and reads in full, ”Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury cause to be provided, for the use of several collectors in the United States, printed clearances, on the back whereof shall be printed an account of the methods, which have been found to answer for obtaining fresh, from salt water, and of constructing extempore stills, of such implements, as are generally on board of every vessel, with a recommendation, in all cases, where they shall have occasion to resort to this expedient for obtaining water, to publish the result of their trial in some gazette, on their return to the United States, or to communicate it for publication, to the office of the Secretary of State, in order that others may, by their success, be encouraged to make similar trials, and be benefitted by any improvements or new ideas, which may occur to them in practice.” Signed ”Th: Jefferson” beneath a line of print attesting that the act was ”Deposited among the Rolls in the Office of the Secretary of State.” Also signed in type by George Washington, Jonathan Trumbull, and Richard Henry Lee. One-page document measures 9.5” x 15” on watermarked laid paper that has been archivally repaired on verso. Near fine condition. Sold for $7,500.
Land Grant Signed as President — Sold for $6,750
Thomas Jefferson land grant signed “Th. Jefferson” as President, countersigned by James Madison as Secretary of State. Dated 20 December 1808, Jefferson grants land purchased by Moses Bartholomew according to the Land Act of 1796. Vellum document measures 15.25″ x 8.5″, with red wax-based paper seal at left. Folds, some usual wear to vellum and fading to Madison’s signature. Overall very good condition. Sold for $6,750.
Ship’s Paper Signed as President — Sold for $6,050
Thomas Jefferson autograph ship’s paper signed as President, and countersigned by then Secretary of State James Madison on 24 December 1802. Jefferson and Madison each sign to bottom of document, ”Th Jefferson” and ”James Madison”, permitting the ship ”Mercury” to travel internationally, often through violent seas patrolled by Great Britain. Partially printed document is beautifully matted and framed to 41.5” x 27”. Document itself, with scalloped top edge, measures 11” x 18”. Weighs 18 lbs. Folds and light fading. Very good to near fine condition. Sold for $6,050.
Land Grant Signed as President — Sold for $6,646
Thomas Jefferson land grant signed ”Th. Jefferson” as President, countersigned by James Madison as Secretary of State. Dated 10 February 1809, Jefferson grants land purchased by Albright Werlin according to the Land Act of 1796. Vellum document measures 15.25” x 8.5”, with intact paper seal at left. Folds, a few mouse holes and usual wear to vellum. Overall in very good condition with a bold signature by Jefferson. Sold for $6,646.
Four-Language Ship’s Paper Signed as President — Sold for $5,500
Thomas Jefferson autograph document signed as President, countersigned by future President James Madison as Secretary of State. Four language ship’s papers allow the brig ”Sarah” to sail from the port of Philadelphia to Bilboa. The high seas were dangerous at this time, as the English often seized American ships, leading to Jefferson’s 1807 trade embargo and ultimately the War of 1812. Dated 18 June 1803, Jefferson signs in the English portion, ”Th. Jefferson”. With two red wax paper-backed seals intact. Document measures 20” x 16”. Small portions of paper loss and archival tape repairs to verso. Overall very good condition. Sold for $5,500.
This concludes our Thomas Jefferson signed documents. Our monthly auctions can be viewed at natedsanders.com. Learn how to sell your Thomas Jefferson autograph.
FAQs
What types of documents did Thomas Jefferson sign?
Throughout Jefferson’s career some of the more common documents he signed include land patents and land grants, Presidential appointments, pardons and diplomatic correspondence. He was heavily involved with founding the University of Virginia later in life and signed many documents related to the university.
What is the difference between a Thomas Jefferson signed document and ALS?
A Thomas Jefferson ALS is a letter written in his hand and is also contains his signature. A signed document is signed by him, but doesn’t necessarily contain additional text written in his hand. Both an ALS and signed documents provide historical context.
Learn more about the autograph letters signed that we sold.
How much is a Thomas Jefferson signed document worth?
The value of your document can vary based on condition, year signed and subject matter of the document.