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Partly-printed DS as president, one page, 19.5 x 15.5, September 6, 1798. Four-language ship's papers issued to “Thomas W. Norman…master or commander of the Ship called Perseverance…lying at present in the port of Balt[imore] bound for London and laden with Coffee, Tobacco and Lumber.” Prominently signed in the center by President John Adams (signature measures 4˝ across) and countersigned by Secretary of State Timothy Pickering. Additionally signed by Robert Purviance (1733-1806) as collector of the Port of Baltimore and James H. Calhoun (1743-1816) as “Mayor of the City of Baltimore.” The left side retains the original embossed paper seal. In very good to fine condition, with partial separations along the intersecting folds, and a small area of paper loss affecting Adams' last name. A scarce and sought-after format, particularly with such a large, bold signature.
Provenance: Presented by Dr. Frederick E. Partington of Washington, D.C., to the India House, a private club that has been a fixture of downtown Manhattan since the early twentieth century. The Club’s Renaissance-style building was constructed by builder Richard Carman after the fire of 1835 and, previously housing Hanover Bank, Maitland and Company, the New York Cotton Exchange, and W.R. Grace and Company, the edifice has remained essentially unchanged since its construction. Founded in 1914 by James A. Farrell and Willard Straight, India House was conceived as a meeting place for the interests of foreign trade and its name paid homage to the Dutch West India Company, the first colonizers of Manhattan. Farrell and Straight envisioned that ‘New York should have a place, maritime in spirit, purpose and atmosphere, where those interested in rebuilding a merchant marine worthy of American could meet.’ In this vein, many leaders in foreign trade and worldwide commerce have since gathered at India House, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Hopkins, Henry Morgenthau, Jr., James Byrnes, W. Averell Harriman, George C. Marshall, Henry Cabot Lodge, and Cyrus Vance. Their meetings were held alongside India House’s world-class collection of maritime art and objects. First begun by Dorothy Whitney and Willard Straight, the art collection grew to encompass marine pictures, model ships, maritime relics, and Chinese works of art, which gave the club its stately atmosphere and reminded members and guests of its purpose.
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