1821 Engraved Certificate from The Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, signed by Richard Peters and Roberts Vaux.

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Certificate of election to The Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture—the oldest agricultural society in the United States—issued to Henry Simpson as a “Resident Member.” An illustration by J.J. Barralet at the top, engraved by William Harrison, shows an idyllic farm scene with a farmer stacking hay, a plough, a harrow and the coat of arms of the society. The plough motif is repeated on the seal at the bottom of the certificate.

The document is signed by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Peters (1744–1828 ), charter member and then-president of The Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture. Peters was an officer of the Continental Congress and a delegate to the Congress of the Confederation. In 1776, Peters was made secretary of the Board of War; becoming a full member in 1777. Lawyer and abolitionist Roberts Vaux (1786–1836) signs as the society’s secretary.

The newly elected member may be Henry Simpson (1790–1868 ) who wrote The Lives of Eminent Philadelphians, now Deceased in 1859.

Price: $150.00