Autographs
Jefferson & Madison Four Language Ship's Paper
THOMAS JEFFERSON (1743-1826). 3rd President of the United States, American Founding Father, the Principal Author of the Declaration of Independence (1776), and the Third President of the United States (1801"1809), served in the Continental Congress representing Virginia and then served as a Revolutionary Wartime Governor of Virginia (1779"1781), Jefferson served as a diplomat, stationed in Paris, in May 1785, he became the United States Minister to France. JAMES MADISON (1751-1836), 4th President of the United States after the 1808 Presidential Election, composed the first drafts of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights and earned the nickname "Father of the Constitution." In 1792, Madison and Thomas Jefferson founded the Democratic-Republican Party, 1803 made the Louisiana Purchase and was Comander-In-Chief during the War of 1812.
August 6, 1808-Dated, Partially-Printed Document Signed, "Th. Jefferson" as President and "James Madison" as Secretary of State, Four Language Ship's Papers, Large Folio, measuring 16.75" x 20.5" (by sight), professionally matted and beautifully modern framed to an overall size of 17" x 25.25", Choice Very Fine. Countersigned by "David Gelston," as collector of customs, at New York. A very impressive looking original document with great overall eye appeal. Both original official embossed paper and wax Seals are fully intact at the far left, and both signatures are very clear being written in medium to dark brown ink and the entire document is very clear and readable. This being for the Schooner "Aurora to travel from New York to Havana carrying Boards, Ballast & Stores ...". An old fold through Jefferson's signature, having some expertly used reinforcing archival tape on the blank reverse along some folds which were beginning to show minor internal splits with minimal show-through. The eye appeal of this document is significant, particularly having no major stains, its margins appearing full having received some expert conservation adding paper to blend some edge chips and bottom corner tip. An impressive document, displayed under special UV Plexiglas and ready for display with a small brass plaque reading "THOMAS JEFFERSON" mounted on the frame below.