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5

John Quincy Adams

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:3,000.00 - 3,500.00 USD
John Quincy Adams

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Auction Date:2011 Apr 13 @ 19:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Original handwritten poem on a 4.75 x 7.5 off-white sheet, signed “John Quincy Adams,” entitled “Sonnet to a Sun-Dial,” and dated August 26, 1839. The poem reads, in full:

“Thou Silent Herald of Time’s ceaseless flight!
Say–couldst thou Speak what warning voice were thine?
Shade–who can’t only mark how others Shine!
Dark, Sullen witness of respondent light

In day’s broad glare, and when the noontide bright
Of prosperous Fortune, Sheds the ray divine,
Thy ready Friendships aid us–but decline
The clouds of Morning–and the glooms of night

Yet are thy Councils faithful just and wise;
They bid me grasp the moments as they pass;
Snatch the retrieveless Sun beam as it flies;
Nor lose one Sand of Life’s revolving glass:

Aspiring Stills with energy Sublime
By virtuous Deeds to give Eternity to Time”

Affixed by its blank second integral page to an 8.5 x 11 sheet. In very good to fine condition, with four horizontal folds, some scattered foxing (heaviest to lower right corner), and some scattered light toning to the blank areas. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.

The sixth president originally wrote this sonnet on October 1, 1830, on the first page of one of his diaries. At the time, the presidency was well behind him, and exactly one month remained before his election to the US Congress from Massachusetts. The sun dial that he wrote of was located beneath a window of the hall of the House of Representatives. Perhaps Adams, known to be a serious reader who always hoped to become a great poet, was longing to see that ancient timepiece again as the Congressional election grew closer! A poetic effort from the man whose literary fame would escape him following a career in politics, but whose love of literature never died.
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