Raynors HCA 2015-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2015
Exceedingly rare diner invitation from President John Adams to Colonel Tobias Lear, on hard stock, measures 2 7/8" x 4 3/4”, fine. The invitation reads in full "The President of the United States, requests the pleasure of Col Lear's Company to Dine, on Thursday next, at four o'clock. Dec 10th 1798. An answer is requested". Tobias Lear (1762 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire – October 11, 1816 in Washington, D.C.) is best known as the personal secretary to President George Washington. Lear served Washington from 1784 until the former-President's death in 1799. Through Lear's journal, we receive the account of Washington's final moments and his last words: 'Tis well. Lear was given the rank of Colonel as chief aide to Washington, who had been reappointed by congress to command the troops during a period when a French attack was feared. He preferred to be addressed as Colonel Lear for the rest of his life despite the fact that the French never attacked by land and he never faced active duty. We know of only a few examples of President Adams diner invitations, which are all in institutions. The only example we know of selling at auction was in Heritage Auction Galleries May 12, 2012 Americana Auction, lot #38019, realizing $2,151.00.
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