Description:

John Tyler
New Bedford, MA, June 29, 1844
John Tyler Signed Four Language Ship's Passport for Whaling Voyage
Partially printed DS

A four-language ship's passport largely and boldly signed "J. Tyler" as President. Additionally signed "J. C. Calhoun" as Secretary of State and countersigned by Rodney French, Collector of the Customs for the port of New Bedford. 1p, measuring 20" x 16" (sight), New Bedford, MA, June 29, 1844. Partially printed in French, Spanish, English, and Dutch. The document grants passage to "William Cash master or commander of the ship called Milton of the burden of 387 & 39/95 tons or thereabouts… bound for Indian Ocean and laden with provisions, stores, and utensils for a Whaling Voyage…." Features bold, red wax and paper seals at lower middle with only light surface cracking to the former. Document exhibits expected folds and light toning, with faint foxing along lower margin. Isolated tearing to the fold at bottom right. Otherwise, very good. Elegantly matted to an overall size of 26" x 22" and ready for framing. Not examined outside of matting.

In a whaling career that spanned over thirty years, Captain William S. Cash (1816-1882) commanded the vessels Milton, Gideon Howland, Columbia, Citizen and Islander. On his last voyage aboard the Islander in 1865, the ship notably returned with the 18-foot jaw of an arctic sperm whale, which attracted the attention of showman P.T. Barnum who attempted to purchase the specimen.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 26" x 22" (matted)
  • Medium: Partially printed DS

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January 7, 2026 10:00 AM EST
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University Archives

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