PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON - PATENT SIGNED 07/01/1836 CO-SIGNED BY: JOHN FORSYTH, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BUTLER - HFSID 283909
Price: $6,250.00
ANDREW JACKSON
Jackson's bold signature on a 1836 patent for an improved machine to make ship's
thimbles, also signed by Secretary of State Forsyth and Attorney General Butler.
Accompanied by a 3-page handwritten description of the device by the inventor,
Prentice White.
Patent signed: "Andrew Jackson" as President, "John Forsyth" as Secretary of State,
"B. F. Butler" as Attorney General, 1 page, 11½x15½. Washington, D.C., 1836 July 1.
Patent issued to Prentice White for [in part] "a new and useful improvement in the Machine
for making Ship's Thimbles which improvements he states has not been known or used
before his application; [White] hath made oath that he does verily believe that he is the
true inventor or discoverer of the said improvement; hath paid into the treasury of the
United States the sum of thirty dollars." Archivally double matted and framed with a seated
portrait and a biographical plaque, to an overall size of 29.5 x 25.25. In fine condition, with light
intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, and some scattered light toning and
soiling. The white paper seal is lightly toned and worn, but intact, and retains its original green
ribbon. Accompanied by Autograph Manuscript signed in text, "I Prentice White", 3 pages,
11x13¾. In part: "Be it known that I Prentice White of Yarmouth in the county of
Barnstable and State of Massachusetts Blacksmith, have invented a new and useful
improvement in the machinery for making ships thimbles, and that the following is a full
and exact description of the construction and operation of the machine as invented or
improved by me viz: It consists of a bench, horned anvil, and hammer or sledge with
appurtenances." The sheets have previous storage folds, and scattered toning, but are in
otherwise fine condition. ANDREW JACKSON (1767-1845), the 7th President of the
United States (1829-1837) was the last President to have served in the Revolutionary
War. He led US military forces in many battles with American Indians of the Southeast, and
became a national hero by defeating the British Army at the Battle of New Orleans
(1815). Twice a US Senator from Tennessee (1797-1798, 1823-1825), he is remembered as
a strong President who championed national unity. While some of his policies were
controversial, such as the forcible removal of Indian populations on the "Trail of Tears," his
advocacy of popular participation in government shaped the modern Democratic Party.
JOHN FORSYTH served as Jackson's and Van Buren's Secretary of State from July 1, 1834
until March 3, 1841. He had previously served as U.S. Representative (1813-1818,
1823-1827), U.S. Senator (1818-1819, 1829-1834) and Governor of Georgia (1827-1829).
As U.S. Minister to Spain, Forsyth gained King Ferdinand VII's ratification of the Treaty of
1819, which ceded Florida to the United States. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BUTLER
(1795-1858) a former member of the New York State Assembly (1827-1833), served as
Attorney General under Presidents Jackson and Van Buren (1833-1838). In
1836-1837, he served concurrently as Secretary of War. Following his term, he was U.S.
District Attorney for the Southern District of New York (1838-1841, 1845-1848).
Presidential documents countersigned by two Cabinet members are rare and desirable.
Two items. Framed to an overall size of 29x25.
Following offer submission users will be contacted at their account email address within 48 hours. Our response will be to accept your offer, decline your offer or send you a final counteroffer. All offers can be viewed from within the "Offer Review" area of your HistoryForSale account. Please review the Make Offer Terms prior to making an offer.
If you have not received an offer acceptance or counter-offer email within 24-hours please check your spam/junk email folder.