[Peale, Charles Willson] Jefferson, Thomas. Autograph Note, signed

Thomas Jefferson Gifts Charles Willson Peale An Eagle Claw

(Philadelphia), March 12, 1797. Autograph note, signed in the third person by Thomas Jefferson as Vice-President of the United States and as President of the American Philosophical Society, to Charles Willson Peale: "Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr. Peele & returns him the papers he confided to him with thanks for the perusal. he also incloses the eagle's claw. he takes this opportunity of taking friendly leave of him. Mar. 12. 97." Additional signature ("Th: Jefferson"), added in another, later, hand at bottom right. One sheet, 4 x 7 3/4 in. (102 x 197 mm). Creased from old folds; docketed on verso. In mat with engraved portrait of Jefferson, and in frame, 16 3/4 x 12 in. (425 x 305 mm).

A rare note from Thomas Jefferson to American painter and naturalist Charles Willson Peale. Here, Jefferson expresses his compliments to Peale for papers he confided with him, and encloses an eagle claw, presumably for inclusion in Peale's celebrated Philadelphia Museum.

Jefferson and Peale were close friends and longtime correspondents who shared an equal enthusiasm for natural history and the desire to foster an American culture built on republican values. At the time of this letter, Peale's Museum occupied the greater part of the American Philosophical Society's (APS) Philosophical Hall at 5th and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia. The first learned society in America, both Jefferson and Peale counted as members of the APS, with Jefferson then serving as its newly installed President (elected only 10 days earlier, on March 3, 1797)--a position he would hold through his term as Vice-President under John Adams, his two terms as President of the United States, until his resignation in 1815. In his role as President of the APS Jefferson encouraged the accumulation and diffusion of knowledge about the new nation, and as a friend of Peale, was a crucial supporter of his Museum, acting as a patron, assisting in the exchange and acquisition of specimens and artifacts, and serving as President of the Museum's Board of Visitors.

Rare. Among the earliest extant letters from Jefferson to Peale to come to market, and according to RBH, is the first to come to auction since 1987.

Provenance

Charles Sessler, Philadelphia

Collection of Joseph Newton Pew, Jr. (1886-1963), Ardmore, Pennsylvania, American Industrialist and co-founder of the Pew Charitable Trusts, thence by descent in the family

Darren Winston

SVP, Head of Department, Books and Manuscripts, Philadelphia

[email protected]267.414.1247

Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

Printed and Manuscript Americana

[Peale, Charles Willson] Jefferson, Thomas. Autograph Note, signed

Printed and Manuscript Americana

[Peale, Charles Willson] Jefferson, Thomas. Autograph Note, signed

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup