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Sewing box
Campaign of (American, 1767 – 1848)

Sewing box

1824
Place madeUnited States, North America
PossiblyRhode Island
Silk, paper, paint
Overall: 2 5/8 x 5 x 3 5/8 in. ( 6.7 x 12.7 x 9.2 cm )
Gift of Henry O. Havemeyer
1946.190
John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), served a long career as statesman, beginning in 1794 when he was appointed minister to the Netherlands. He later served as minister three other countries, and as secretary of state under Monroe. In fact, it was Adams who encouraged Monroe to articulate the Monroe Doctrine. This box is a souvenir of his presidential campaign, 1824. He served as president from 1825-1829, and in the House from 1831-1848.
DescriptionHeavy cardboard campaign box with hinged lid, the lid has a painted velvet inscription, "BE FIRM/ FOR ADAMS" surrounded with a floral garland; gold foil paper around the sides embossed with daisies set in diamonds; when opened, inside the lid is a portrait of John Quincy Adams beneath a plate of glass, and there is a hole cut into a raised bottom, in which an object may have been set.
Markingspainted: top of lid: "BE FIRM / FOR ADAMS" printed: inside lid: "JOHN Q ADAMS" printed: on label on bottom of box: "from HENRY O. HAVEMEYER / MOUNTAIN SIDE FARM / MAHWAH, N.J."
ClassificationsPERSONAL ACCESSORIES