John VAUGHN (1756 – 1841) English-born wine merchant. Vaughn met Benjamin Franklin in Paris in 1778 and emigrated to Philadelphia in 1782 where be established himself as a successful wine merchant. Among Vaughn’s regular clients were Thomas Jefferson and Eleuthère Irénée Du Pont. Although not a scholar himself, The American Philosophical Society chose him as its treasurer. During his lengthy tenure in that capacity, Vaughn was instrumental in building the Society’s library collections. Vaughn also used the Society’s cellar to store his vast inventory of wines and later lived in the building, residing in the painter Thomas Sully’s former studio. His reputation for generosity and kindness was overshadowed soon after his death after it was discovered he was co-mingling his personal finances with that of the Society.

Scarce Autograph Letter Signed “Jn Vaughan”, 1p. quarto, Philadelphia, 1 Nov. 1819 to William Kemble in New York concerning a shipment of wine. Remarking that he has received Kemble’s “favor of 30th,” Vaughn instructs Kemble: “When the wine arrives it shall be forwarded to Mess E I Du Pont &c: — I hope you have send Certificates – If not, please send them — If you have done it— no reply is wanted to this Letter” Addressed in his hand to Kemble on the integral transmittal leaf (on verso). A good, wine-related letter by one of America’s early prominent importers.

Minor loss at bottom from seal tear, usual folds, else fine condition.

(EXA 3400) $1,500