American educator and political figure (1772-1864) who was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1805-1813), mayor of Boston (1823-1828), and President of Harvard University (1829-1845). The historic Quincy Market in downtown Boston is named in his honor. Exceedingly rare admission document from Harvard University entitled “Abstract of Laws and Regulations of the University in Cambridge, for the Information of Parents and Guardians of Students accepted on Examination,” one page, 8.25 x 9.5, signed on the reverse in fountain pen, “Josiah Quincy, 24 Aug. 1829, Cambridge,” who above writes the name of the “accepted” student. The document itself contains three sections: “Of Admission and Matriculation,” which denotes a required bond of $400 and, following its reception, the student will earn a copy of the laws, take possession of a chamber, and “will not be admitted to full standing as a matriculated student, till after a probation of one Term.” The next, “Dress,” yields specific stipulations for types of coat, waistcoat, pantaloons, surtout, buttons, night-gowns, neck-cloths, hat, cap, shoes, and boots, and concludes: “No Student, while in the state of Massachusetts, shall, either in vacation or term time, wear any different dress or ornament from those above named, except that, in case of mourning, he may add the customary badges.” The third, “Term Bills,” demands that bills for college charges and expenses be paid three times a year, at the end of each term, with additional information relative to late payments and absences. In very good to fine condition, with staining, and short tears, along the right edge. This rare and early Harvard document was signed by Quincy in his first official year as the university's president; prior to that, he had been an overseer since 1810.
