John Adams: Unique Bridle Rosette from His 1797 Inauguration. ...

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John Adams: Unique Bridle Rosette from His 1797 Inauguration. The front is made of wood, with a high relief dome painted a reddish color. The back is leather, and bears an inscription which has been applied by tapping something along the lines of an awl to make deep, pinhead sized impressions which form the lettering: "John Adams M. 4, 1797." Some minor chipping of the paint on the front, but the leather back is in remarkably good condition, with original leather loop through which the bridle passed. From the legendary Kenton Broyles collection, and accompanied by an undated letter from long-time Americana dealer Leo J. Caron, stating that it was used on the horse that carried Adams in his inaugural procession, and that the rosette was acquired directly from a descendent of the Adams family. Published in Ted Hake's 1789-1916 volume, page 15, item 3002. To give some perspective on the significance of this item, it is one of only two pieces listed by Hake for Adams, and the other is a Tom Paine hanging token. In the original edition Hake priced this item at $1035, while pricing the "Linked States" GW button at $550, and the blue/white James Monroe portrait cup at $1235. Diameter 2.875".