c. 1782-1848 Group Lot of FIVE Prints Each under UV Plexiglas, all Ex: Ambassador J. William Middendorf, Framed, Overall Choice Very Fine or better.
This group lot comprises five separate items, each professionally framed and glazed under special UV-Protective Plexiglas, all descending from this collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II and spanning timeframes from circa 1782 to 1848, comprising the following:

1. 1782-Dated Dutch engraved portrait of John Adams, measuring 12.25 x 10.25 inches, titled "JOHN ADAMS, Gezant der Noord-Americaefche Staaten, in de Vereenigde Nederlanden" ("John Adams, Envoy of the North American States, in the United Netherlands"), engraved from life by Reinier Vinkeles and originally published as this frontispiece to a Dutch translation of Adams's "Novanglus" essays, issued during his tenure as this first American minister to the Netherlands.

2. January 14, 1848-Dated Harvard College printed and manuscript term bill, measuring 11.25 x 8.5 inches, for Mr. S. A. Smith, headed "To Bill for first term, ending January 14, 1848," itemizing charges for instruction, library, lecture rooms, rent, fuel, and board, receipted and signed by E. F. Valentine for this Steward of Harvard College.

3. February 28, 1793-Dated manuscript receipt, measuring 12.5 x 11 inches, from this Commissioner's Office, Woodbridge, Connecticut, acknowledging receipt from David Thomas of various forms of state paper toward a balance due on taxes, this proceeds accountable under an act enlarging this funds of Yale College, signed by N. Kingsbury.

4. Circa 1840 "Harrison and Reform" presidential campaign textile fragment, measuring 12 x 12.5 inches, printed in sepia on a floral cotton ground with a wreathed bust portrait of William Henry Harrison above this campaign banner "HARRISON AND REFORM."

5. Circa 1820s blank printed notice, measuring 13.75 x 10 inches, from New Hampshire, headed "NOTICE," citing an act of this New Hampshire Legislature passed December 23, 1820, authorizing selectmen to forbid taverners and retailers from selling spirits to named habitual drunkards, left unexecuted.

This group lot offers a broad cross-section of early American printed and manuscript material, ranging from a diplomatic portrait tied to this earliest days of American recognition abroad, through college finance, state fiscal administration, Presidential campaigning, and local temperance regulation. Each piece in this lot descends from this distinguished collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II, this 62nd Secretary of this Navy and a noted collector of Americana. This group is presented framed and glazed under UV-protective plexiglas throughout, Choice Very Fine or better. (5 items)

Provenance: Collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II.