SIGNED
AS PRESIDENT TWICE OVER –
AS PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,
WHILE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
THOMAS JEFFERSON. Partly Engraved Document
Signed, no place, 18 January 1805. Also signed by seven
other American men of science. 1 page, 11½"
x 18¾".
Jefferson the Scientist: This ornately-engraved certificate
names Doctor Samuel Moore a member of the American Philosophical Society,
and it is signed by Thomas Jefferson as the Society’s President
at a time when he was also President of the United States. The oldest
learned society in the country, the American Philosophical Society was
founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin "for promoting useful
Knowledge" in the sciences and humanities. Still in existence
and world-renowned as an eminent scholarly organization, the Society
has always included leading scientists, scholars, and public officials
among its members.
Thomas Jefferson, who once called "the tranquil pursuits of science...my
supreme delight," was himself elected to membership in the APS
in 1780. In 1797, he was chosen the Society’s President, an honor
he declared the most flattering incident of his life. He remained in
the post until 1815, and his long service was a testament to his regard
for the organization and its members and to his own wide-ranging scientific
and philosophical interests.
Jefferson has signed this membership certificate at the lower right.
Just beneath his signature are those of three APS vice-presidents: ROBERT
PATTERSON, a mathematician who was appointed director of the
U.S. Mint by Jefferson in this same year; CASPAR WISTAR,
a physician and professor who wrote the first American text on anatomy;
and BENJAMIN SMITH BARTON, a physician and naturalist
who wrote the first American text on botany. In a separate column at
the lower left are the signatures of APS Secretaries ADAM SEYBERT,
a physician, chemist and mineralogist; THOMAS CHALKLEY JAMES,
a physician who did pioneering work in obstetrics; JOHN REDMAN
COXE, a physician, professor, and expert pharmacist; and THOMAS
T. HEWSON, a physician and professor of anatomy.
A blue ribbon is affixed to the document at the bottom center, between
the two columns of signatures. Attached to the lower pendant portion
of the ribbon is the seal of the Society, in white paper over wax.
The document is in excellent condition. There are a few minute breaks
along fold lines, but with no loss, and the handsomely-engraved piece
is clean and fresh in appearance. All of the signatures are strong and
dark. The seal is intact and in fine condition.
Despite Jefferson’s long tenure as President of APS, items signed
by him relating to its affairs are rarely offered for sale. This attractive
document is not only a scarce piece, but is a fine testament to Jefferson’s
scholarly and scientific interests. $20,000.00
The
image above omits some of the blank outer margin of the document.
Below is a closeup
of Jefferson's signature.
Return
