ADAMS, JOHN. Address leaf signed ("John Adams") as FREE-FRANK, from a letter addressed to JOHN BINNS of Philadelphia, publisher of an engraved copy of the Declaration of Independence, [Quincy, Massachusetts], 20 September 1820. One page, 4to, docketed "John Adams...Refusing the Decl. of Indep [ endence ] published by J.B.," small seal hole, otherwise in good condition. An address leaf with a good franking signature, in Adams's late, shaky hand. The leaf was separated, probably some years ago, from a known letter of considerable interest. John Binns, a prosperous Philadelphia publisher, conceived the idea of a decorative facsimile of the Declaration of Independence, including reproductions of the signatures of the 56 delegates who signed the original parchment, and his well known facsimile was published in 1819. The elaborate engraving encircled the text of the Declaration within a wreath of circular portraits and emblems. Most prominent, at the top center, flanked by cornucopia, was George Washington. To his right and left, Binns added portraits of John Hancock and Thomas Jefferson Connecting them in a large oval were the emblems of each of the original 13 colonies. This design inadvertantly offended Adams. When he received a copy from Binns he replied (in the letter no longer present) rather stiffly, "I thank you for the copy of your Declaration, which I have now received and will return by the first opportunity. I pray you to save yourself the trouble and expense of sending any other copy." Binns annotated Adams's letter as follows: "I should have been not a little surprised...had I not previously been informed by a Friend that Mr. Adams had taken offence at my not having made a place for an engraved likeness of him in the splendid edition..." He had not intended, Binns declared, to "cast doubt upon the patriotism of Mr. Adams but more especially in any matter connected with the Declaration of Independence, of which Mr. Jefferson wrote me 'John Adams was the ablest advocate of the Dec. of Independence on the floor of Congress.'" Adams's letter, from which the present leaf was detached, eventually became part of the collection of Carrie Estelle Doheny (sale, Christie's, 21 February 1989, lot 2085).
ADAMS, JOHN. Address leaf signed ("John Adams") as FREE-FRANK, from a letter addressed to JOHN BINNS of Philadelphia, publisher of an engraved copy of the Declaration of Independence, [Quincy, Massachusetts], 20 September 1820. One page, 4to, docketed "John Adams...Refusing the Decl. of Indep [ endence ] published by J.B.," small seal hole, otherwise in good condition. An address leaf with a good franking signature, in Adams's late, shaky hand. The leaf was separated, probably some years ago, from a known letter of considerable interest. John Binns, a prosperous Philadelphia publisher, conceived the idea of a decorative facsimile of the Declaration of Independence, including reproductions of the signatures of the 56 delegates who signed the original parchment, and his well known facsimile was published in 1819. The elaborate engraving encircled the text of the Declaration within a wreath of circular portraits and emblems. Most prominent, at the top center, flanked by cornucopia, was George Washington. To his right and left, Binns added portraits of John Hancock and Thomas Jefferson Connecting them in a large oval were the emblems of each of the original 13 colonies. This design inadvertantly offended Adams. When he received a copy from Binns he replied (in the letter no longer present) rather stiffly, "I thank you for the copy of your Declaration, which I have now received and will return by the first opportunity. I pray you to save yourself the trouble and expense of sending any other copy." Binns annotated Adams's letter as follows: "I should have been not a little surprised...had I not previously been informed by a Friend that Mr. Adams had taken offence at my not having made a place for an engraved likeness of him in the splendid edition..." He had not intended, Binns declared, to "cast doubt upon the patriotism of Mr. Adams but more especially in any matter connected with the Declaration of Independence, of which Mr. Jefferson wrote me 'John Adams was the ablest advocate of the Dec. of Independence on the floor of Congress.'" Adams's letter, from which the present leaf was detached, eventually became part of the collection of Carrie Estelle Doheny (sale, Christie's, 21 February 1989, lot 2085).
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
