Signed Engraving from the First President to Ever Autograph His Likeness!Portrait engraving by N[athaniel] Dearborn, Boston, featuring a chest-length image of Adams surrounded by a decorative frame and bearing a facsimile signature and printed caption, “John Quincy Adams, 6th President of the U.S. of America,” the image approximately 1.75? x 2? (2.75? x 4? overall), signed in ink in the blank top margin “John Quincy Adams.”
While his predecessor, ex-president Andrew Jackson, was captured on film in 1845, Adams was in fact the subject of the earliest known photo of any occupant of the Executive Mansion, a daguerreotype taken by the famed Mathew Brady in 1843. However, the history of signed presidential photos was delayed until the 1860s, when a process for printing photos on paper was developed, and the elderly Martin Van Buren became the earliest president to sign his photographic likeness. Most significantly in the case of the present item, the standard reference The Sanders Price Guide to Autographs identifies John Quincy Adams as the first president to sign any likeness, in the form of these rarely seen engravings. Likewise, Kenneth Rendell, in his book History Comes to Life, states that “Adams is the first president whose signed images can be obtained, although these steel engravings are very rare.” (Indeed, our research shows that this is just 1 of 3 known to exist!) The present item must therefore be regarded as a landmark of first importance in the history of presidential iconography and the then-fledgling field of autographic Americana. A true treasure for the most discriminating collector! The engraving shows some light surface rubbing and uneven trimming. Adams' elderiy hand is a bit shaky upon execution, but the signature remains remarkably bold on this exception relic.
This item has been reviewed by Beckett Authentication Services (BAS) and is guaranteed to pass their authentication. Full certification for this item can be acquired for an additional fee. Please contact our offices at 1-800-325-7127 or email us at Info@IconicAuctions.com for pricing and details.