Jefferson, Thomas, third President

Autograph letter signed ("Th: Jefferson"), 1 page (9 5/8 x 8 in.; 245 x 205 mm) on a sheet of wove paper, Monticello, 27 August 1820, to David Gelston, some figuring by Gelston at the foot of the letter; tiny loss to upper left corner. Accompanied by an engraved portrait of Jefferson. Half blue morocco folding-case, red morocco spine labels.

The Papers of David Gelston (Christie's New York, 19 December 1986, lot 30)

Jefferson writes to the Collector of the Port of New York about a shipment of books arriving from Europe. "I received last night your favor of the 21st. and at the same time an invoice of the books from Debure, cost 180. charges 11-50 making 191-50 which invoice I now inclose you with a request of it's return, with notice of the duties and charges for which I shall be your debtor. the sum being too small to be remitted by a draught, I will inclose it in a bank bill with an allowance for their discount at N. York. I shall be thankful to you to forward the books to Richmond either to mr Gibson, or to Capt Bernard Peyton, who, during the long illness of mr Gibson, has done business for me occasionally. I salute you with great esteem and respect." At the foot of the letter, Gelston has recorded a 1 September payment of $5.55 and a subsequent payment of $2.20.

Jefferson was at this time building his second, or retirement library, necessitated by the sale of his primary library to replace the fledgling Library of Congress, which had been burned by the British during the War of 1812.