Unique volume of handwritten poems, quotes, and drawings by members and friends of the Adams family, presented to a young member of John Adams's daughter-in-law’s family whom he considered a granddaughter, Susan Dayton Harrod Boyd, eleven months before his death. Signed on a free end page in ink by the elderly former president, "John Adams," with an inscription in the hand of his granddaughter, Elizabeth Coombs Adams, based partially on a verse from the Old Testament Ecclesiastes 12:1: “My young friend, Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth and in the extreme stage of thine old age, He will be thy comfort and support…Quincy, August 8th 1825." John Adams makes a correction in his own hand, adding "est" to "extreme." The volume is hardcover with marbled boards, 5 x 7.75, with a red leather spine with gilt line decorations. Adams was plagued by arthritis in his later years, an affliction evident in his shaky signature.
Susan Dayton Harrod Boyd’s father, Charles Harrod, was the brother of Anna Nancy Harrod Adams, the wife of John Adams’s son Thomas Boylston Adams. John Adams was very close to Anna’s family including Susan, so much so he considered Susan one of his grandchildren. Susan’s ownership signature is in pencil on the front pastedown endpaper: “Ever remember your friends, Susan and Elvira, Dec 19 1827.” In addition, the volume is mostly filled with poems, letters, and drawings from John Adams’s family members and friends, including Elizabeth Coombs Adams, J. Dodge, Caroline and Elizabeth Harrod, Walter Scott, and many others. In very good condition, with scattered staining and foxing, not affecting the signature.
Volumes signed and presented by John Adams are virtually unobtainable and highly desirable with only a handful having been sold in the past 50 years at auction; however, the present volume is unique and personal in that it contains a presentation inscription from John Adams to a close family member shortly before his death and a series of manuscripts handwritten by members of the Adams family.
Provenance:
1. 2nd President of the United States John Adams with his presentation signature eleven months before his death
2. Gifted by John Adams to a relative he considered a granddaughter, Susan Dayton Harrod Boyd, with her ownership signature
3. Inherited by Susan’s son, Charles Harrod Boyd
4. Inherited by Charles’ daughter, Emily Dearborn Boyd, with her ownership signature on the front pastedown endpaper: “Emily Dearborn Boyd-, from Father, 1905-”
5. Inherited by Emily’s grandson, Charles Boyd Coleman, Jr.
6. Purchased from the estate of Charles Boyd Coleman, Jr. by Gray Collections
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