Antique c.1860 Steel Engraving — "John Adams" — After John Singleton Copley — Engraved by J. Stephenson — D. Appleton & Co., N.Y. — XYZ Affair Vignette — Ornate Rococo Border — Facsimile Signature
You are looking at an original c.1860 steel engraving of John Adams, the second President of the United States, one of the most important Founding Fathers, and the man who kept the young republic out of a catastrophic war with France.
The portrait is engraved by J. Stephenson (Thomas B. Stephenson) after the celebrated life portrait by John Singleton Copley — widely regarded as the greatest American portrait painter of the 18th century. Copley painted Adams from life in London in 1783, and the resulting portrait is one of the most important and authoritative likenesses of any Founding Father. The stipple engraving technique renders Adams's face with exceptional subtlety and depth — the face alone is worth studying closely. Published by D. Appleton & Company of New York, one of the most prestigious American publishers of the 19th century. A comparable Stephenson/Copley engraving of Adams was estimated at $550–$650 at auction (LiveAuctioneers).
The design is one of the most elaborate and historically rich in the Appleton series. The oval portrait medallion is surrounded by a richly detailed rococo scrollwork border of acanthus leaves, floral garlands, and decorative pendant ornaments. Two flanking vignettes add extraordinary historical depth:
•Right vignette: An allegorical figure of Fame holds an oval shield inscribed with the names "Washington / Franklin / Jefferson / Adams" — placing John Adams in the company of the four greatest Founding Fathers of the republic.
•Bottom vignette: "M. Talleyrand Receiving the American Envoys, 1797" — the opening scene of the XYZ Affair, the defining diplomatic crisis of Adams's presidency. When French Foreign Minister Talleyrand demanded bribes from American envoys Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry, Adams refused, famously inspiring the rallying cry: "Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute." The resulting Quasi-War with France was the first undeclared war in American history.
The bold facsimile signature "John Adams" in flowing script anchors the lower right of the composition.
John Adams (1735–1826) was a Massachusetts lawyer, the primary legal architect of American independence, the first U.S. Vice President, and the second President of the United States. He was one of only two Founding Fathers to sign the Declaration of Independence who later became President (the other being Thomas Jefferson). He and Jefferson died on the same day — July 4, 1826 — the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Sheet size: 7" x 10" — fits in a standard 8x10 frame with a mat.
Condition: Good antique condition. The portrait and the elaborate decorative border are fully intact and display beautifully. The top edge of the sheet shows tears, chips, and paper loss — this is confined to the top margin and does not affect the portrait or the decorative border. Small binding stub notches at the bottom edge are remnants of the original bound volume. A few small foxing spots appear in the margins outside the border. The back of the sheet shows toning/staining in the center area (likely from previous mounting) and the engraved image bleeding through from the front (normal for authentic antique steel engravings on period paper). Please review all photos carefully.
What you receive: The original antique engraving only. Not framed. Ships flat in a protective sleeve between rigid cardboard.