John Jay Smith — Five Signed Library Company Receipts Spanning 1840–1847
Remarkable group of five annual subscription receipts from Benjamin Franklin’s historic Library Company of Philadelphia, each signed by librarian, treasurer and antiquarian John Jay Smith Jr. (1798–1881).
Issued between 1840 and 1847, the receipts record four-dollar annual payments on Library Company shares held in the name of Philadelphia merchant Charles G. Leland, father of the noted author and folklorist Charles Godfrey Leland.
The receipts are dated May 4, 1840; May 3, 1841; May 6, 1844; May 5, 1845; and May 3, 1847. Smith signs each as treasurer, using variations of “Jno. J. Smith Jr.” and “J. Jay Smith.”
Expected folds and toning. The 1844, 1845 and 1847 receipts exhibit considerable reddish-brown and blue-gray moisture-related staining; the 1840 and 1841 examples are substantially cleaner. Smith’s signatures remain prominent and legible throughout.
Remarkable group of five annual subscription receipts from Benjamin Franklin’s historic Library Company of Philadelphia, each signed by librarian, treasurer and antiquarian John Jay Smith Jr. (1798–1881).
Issued between 1840 and 1847, the receipts record four-dollar annual payments on Library Company shares held in the name of Philadelphia merchant Charles G. Leland, father of the noted author and folklorist Charles Godfrey Leland.
The receipts are dated May 4, 1840; May 3, 1841; May 6, 1844; May 5, 1845; and May 3, 1847. Smith signs each as treasurer, using variations of “Jno. J. Smith Jr.” and “J. Jay Smith.”
Expected folds and toning. The 1844, 1845 and 1847 receipts exhibit considerable reddish-brown and blue-gray moisture-related staining; the 1840 and 1841 examples are substantially cleaner. Smith’s signatures remain prominent and legible throughout.
