ADAMS, John Quincy (1767-1848). Partly-printed document signed ("John Quincy Adams") as Secretary of State, Washington, 21 May 1820.

One page, 336 x 211mm with intact wax and paper seal (marginal losses not affecting text, partly separated folds repaired on verso pinhole at lower left).

John Quincy Adams issues a passport, to John Young, who is identified as being "aged twenty one years, or thereabout, of the height of five feet eight inches, light complexion, light brown hair, blue eyes … has a scar in the forehead, several on the left wrist, one on the left Elbow … and one on the left big toe." This form of passport was modeled on types used in France and the form persisted until the 1920s when the United States began issuing the now familiar booklet form.