James Monroe and John Quincy Adams Signed Patent for a James Cooper "That He Has Invented a New and Useful Improvement", 1819. A partially printed document signed by two presidents: James Monroe as President and John Quincy Adams as Secretary of State at the time. What makes this document complete is it has the original description of the invention in the hand of the inventor James Cooper on a second page. Basically he has invented a wheel to secure ropes or chains in machinery. Also in the same year Cooper received a patent for improving Archimedian screws (cylinder with screw inside that draws/pumps water.)
Signed patents from this period indeed were signed by Presidents and secretaries of state who would later become President. In one of history's crueler fates for historians and manuscript collectors, a fire destroyed the patent office in 1836 and an estimated 7,000 models, 9,000 drawings, 230 books as well as applications, correspondence, and patent copies were destroyed by the blaze. That this patent with its application authored by the inventor, is a reminder to collectors that they are stewards for future generations while enjoying having them and keeping them safe.
14.75 x 11.5" President James Monroe's signature is quite legible and bold. John Adams likewise legible but less bold as he always seems to have signed with a light hand. Both manuscripts are encapsulated in mylar with hardly any issues of note.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500
U.S. Presidents
