- 2106
JOHN ADAMS. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED, 1 MARCH 1798, TO HIS SON THOMAS ADAMS
估價
30,000 - 40,000 USD
招標截止
描述
- Autograph letter signed ("John Adams") as second President, to his son Thomas Boylston Adams, seeking news from France
2 1/2 pages (9 7/8 x 8 in.; 251 x 205 mm) on a bifolium (watermarked Curteis & Sons), Philadelphia, 1 March 1798, reception docket on verso of second leaf ("My Father | 1 March 1798 | 17 May Rec'd | 15 June Acknd"); a few very light stains.
來源
Christie's New York, 3 December 2007, lot 96 (The Property of a Gentleman)
Condition
1/2 pages (9 7/8 x 8 in.; 251 x 205 mm) on a bifolium (watermarked Curteis & Sons), Philadelphia, 1 March 1798, reception docket on verso of second leaf ("My Father | 1 March 1798 | 17 May Rec'd | 15 June Acknd"); a few very light stains.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
拍品資料及來源
"We are all in suspense … without news from Europe. We learn that General Buonaparte has been at Paris and is gone to the Congress. But we know no more. …" At the height of the war scare with France, John Adams writes to his son, Thomas, then accompanying Adams’s oldest son, John Quincy, who had just been commissioned Minister to Prussia, a neutral power in the ongoing war between France and Britain. He encourages discretion Thomas's correspondence, given the tense nature of European diplomacy and the seeming imminence of war between France and the United States.
"I am almost afraid to ask you any questions about the Religion, the Government the Policy or the Morals or Manners of that or any other Country at present, least in your answers you should indulge in Speculations which might, if your Letters should be intercepted, give offence. But the Architecture, Painting Statuary in short the fine arts and the belles letters surely may be discanted on with Safety. The agriculture too will be pleasing, the roads, the internal commerce &c. … We are all in Suspence. We are without news from Europe. We learn that General Buonaparte has been at Paris and is gone to the Congress. But we know no more.
"If nothing happens, of a very serious nature to prevent it, I shall go to Quincy as soon as Congress rises, which will be, in June I suppose, and stay till the Fall.—You may write however to any part of America and your Letters will come to me by the post."
Like any father, the President urges his son to take advantage of his position in Berlin: "You will now make yourself master of the German language and literature, which I hope will one day be useful to you. Mr Regal represented your situation as very desireable. Alass! That worthy Man is no more. He has left in the minds of all his acquaintance, as pleasing Impressions as any gentleman from any part of Europe ever did in America." Adams is eager to have Thomas return home, but implies he must remain on duty until a suitable secretary can be found to assist John Quincy.
"I am almost afraid to ask you any questions about the Religion, the Government the Policy or the Morals or Manners of that or any other Country at present, least in your answers you should indulge in Speculations which might, if your Letters should be intercepted, give offence. But the Architecture, Painting Statuary in short the fine arts and the belles letters surely may be discanted on with Safety. The agriculture too will be pleasing, the roads, the internal commerce &c. … We are all in Suspence. We are without news from Europe. We learn that General Buonaparte has been at Paris and is gone to the Congress. But we know no more.
"If nothing happens, of a very serious nature to prevent it, I shall go to Quincy as soon as Congress rises, which will be, in June I suppose, and stay till the Fall.—You may write however to any part of America and your Letters will come to me by the post."
Like any father, the President urges his son to take advantage of his position in Berlin: "You will now make yourself master of the German language and literature, which I hope will one day be useful to you. Mr Regal represented your situation as very desireable. Alass! That worthy Man is no more. He has left in the minds of all his acquaintance, as pleasing Impressions as any gentleman from any part of Europe ever did in America." Adams is eager to have Thomas return home, but implies he must remain on duty until a suitable secretary can be found to assist John Quincy.