John TYLER (1790-1862) Partly engraved Document Signed “J. Tyler” as President, 1p. 370 x 290 mm. (14 5/8 x 11 1/2 in.), Washington, 14 January 1846 [but actually c. 1844-1845*], and countersigned by John C. CALHOUN (1782-1850) as Secretary of State (“J Calhoun”). A scallop top Mediterranean passport executed at New Bedford, Mass. by “Joseph T. Adams Collector” for the ship Garland, an unarmed 242 ton vessel owned and commanded by Leonard Crowell with a crew of 24. Endorsed on the verso by Collector Adams, 9 June 1849. A strong engraving with an intact seal of the United States affixed at lower left.

An oddly dated passport that illuminates how these documents were produced and processed. Mediterranean passports, like other routine documents requiring the President’s signature, were signed while the documents were still blank to allow the signing of a sufficient quantity in a short time. The blanks were forwarded to the various federal port collectors throughout the country who, in turn, executed them for specific ships.

In this case, it appears that Collector Adams at New Bedford was unable to obtain a passport bearing the signature of James Polk and figured that no one would be the wiser.

The date of execution raises a question for the legal minded: did the document’s language “Given under my Hand and the Seal of the United States of America…” render the passport invalid upon issuance, as neither Tyler nor Calhoun were in office at the time?

Engrossment light, minor toning at bottom margins, light marginal wear with some cockling, else very good condition.

(EXA 5248) $850

_________
^* Calhoun served as Secretary of State from 1 April 1844 to 10 Mar. 1845.