Jun 5, 2026 11:00 EST
Americana in Boston
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A John Adams Letter of Marque for a privateering voyage captained by Robert Gray
A Family Collection
ADAMS, JOHN
Letter of Marque, signed as President. Philadelphia: 4 November 1799. Document on paper, printed on paper and accomplished in manuscript, wafer seal affixed at lower left, signed in full "John Adams" as President, countersigned by Timothy Pickering as Secretary of State. 16 x 14 3/8 inches. An attractive document, some minor toning and spotting to paper, Adams's signature quite bold, unexamined out of frame. Framed with a portrait overlaying the center of the blank lower margin, possibly affixed to the document.
In this fine example of a rare Letter of Marque issued during the naval buildup during the undeclared Quasi-War with France, President Adams commissions the "private armed ship called the Lucy" out of Boston to "...subdue, seize and take any armed French vessel which shall be found within the jurisdictional limits of the United States, or elsewhere on the high seas..." The Lucy was owned by Benjamin Cobb of Boston and was captained by Robert Gray, with James Shaddock and William McCondray as lieutenants. She carried twelve guns.
Robert Gray, the captain of the Lucy on this voyage, is well known for his important voyages of trade and exploration to the Northern Pacific coast, and for completing the first American circumnavigation of the world in 1790. He named the Columbia River on his second voyage of 1792, and many features of the Oregon and Washington coasts are named for him. He died at sea in 1806. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Gray_(sea_captain) for an excellent account of his career, mentioning his privateering endeavors, including the present.
Sold for $12,160
Estimated at $4,000 - $6,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
A Family Collection
ADAMS, JOHN
Letter of Marque, signed as President. Philadelphia: 4 November 1799. Document on paper, printed on paper and accomplished in manuscript, wafer seal affixed at lower left, signed in full "John Adams" as President, countersigned by Timothy Pickering as Secretary of State. 16 x 14 3/8 inches. An attractive document, some minor toning and spotting to paper, Adams's signature quite bold, unexamined out of frame. Framed with a portrait overlaying the center of the blank lower margin, possibly affixed to the document.
In this fine example of a rare Letter of Marque issued during the naval buildup during the undeclared Quasi-War with France, President Adams commissions the "private armed ship called the Lucy" out of Boston to "...subdue, seize and take any armed French vessel which shall be found within the jurisdictional limits of the United States, or elsewhere on the high seas..." The Lucy was owned by Benjamin Cobb of Boston and was captained by Robert Gray, with James Shaddock and William McCondray as lieutenants. She carried twelve guns.
Robert Gray, the captain of the Lucy on this voyage, is well known for his important voyages of trade and exploration to the Northern Pacific coast, and for completing the first American circumnavigation of the world in 1790. He named the Columbia River on his second voyage of 1792, and many features of the Oregon and Washington coasts are named for him. He died at sea in 1806. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Gray_(sea_captain) for an excellent account of his career, mentioning his privateering endeavors, including the present.
Auction: Americana in Boston, Jun 5, 2026
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Successful Americana in Boston Auction on June 5, 2026 Surpasses Expectations!
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Hawai'ian Pre-Statehood Flag Quilt Tops the Sale at $76k
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Baltimore Federal Paint-Decorated Pier Table Achieves $70k
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Paul Revere's Tambour Desk and Paul Revere Silver Ladle More than Double Their High Estimates
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
BOSTON, MA -- Doyle's Americana in Boston auction on June 5, 2026 far surpassed expectations amid competitive bidding from coast to coast. Held at Doyle Boston in The Vendome and livestreamed on Doyle.com, the auction underscored continued collector demand for important Americana with strong provenance, rarity and historical significance. Taking place during our nation's Semiquincentennial Year, the sale resonated with collectors seeking furniture and decorative arts, silver, clocks, mirrors, paintings, samplers, folk art and other treasures that reflect America's rich artistic and cultural heritage.
Hawaiʻian Pre-Statehood Flag Quilt -- $76,700
Highlighting the sale was a rare Hawaiʻian pre-statehood flag quilt that soared over its $10,000-20,000 estimate to achieve an impressive $76,700. Likely made after the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiʻian monarchy and known as Kuʻu Hae Aloha (“My Beloved Flag”) quilts, they featured the Hawaiʻian flag and royal symbols as expressions of cultural identity and loyalty to the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi during a period of political upheaval. This quilt descended in the family of the consignor since around 1920, when it was reportedly received, in Hawai'i, as payment for medical services provided.
Baltimore Federal Pier Table -- $70,350
An elegant Federal paint-decorated pier table, made in Baltimore in the early 19th century, realized $70,350, far over its $30,000-50,000 estimate. Baltimore was a style center during the Federal period renowned for its painted furniture, with artisans embellishing elegant forms with faux finishes, neoclassical motifs and intricate decorative painting that reflected the city's prosperous and sophisticated taste.
Paul Revere's Tambour Desk -- $57,600
A Federal inlaid mahogany tambour desk owned by American patriot and entrepreneur Paul Revere realized $57,600, nearly doubling its $20,000-30,000 estimate. Likely made in Boston around 1795, the desk would have served as the operational center of Revere's business ventures. Addtionally, the desk's exceptional provenance—remaining in the Revere family for more than two centuries and exhibited in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston's "Revere Room" beneath John Singleton Copley's portrait of Revere—made it a tangible link to one of the most influential craftsmen and entrepreneurs of early America (Read More).
Paul Revere Silver Ladle -- $35,200
A Paul Revere silver ladle from Boston, circa 1790, also brought strong interest, selling for $35,200, tripling its $8,000-12,000 estimate. Engraved with a "P," the ladle is traditionally linked to Theophilus Parsons, a leading Massachusetts jurist and chief justice of the state’s Supreme Judicial Court in the early 19th century.
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Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
