ALS. To Hon. William Marcy, Albany.
New York: December 24, 1838.
Bifolium letter with postage stamp and remnants of sealing wax, accompanied by a signed single leaf engraving of William Cullen Bryant. 4to. Old folds, slight remnants of old adhesive on reverse of engraving and on verso of bifolium. Sealing wax chipped, slight foxing on first leaf of the bifolium Item #314008
William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878) was an American romantic poet, a lawyer, a journalist, and an editor of the Washington Post. His most famous poem (from his youth) is "Thanatopsis" but he is perhaps better known for his journalistic enterprises, in which he was one of the most liberal voices of the century, campaigning for the rights of religious minorities, the rights of workers to strike, and an abolitionist. Bryant Park in New York City is named in his honor.
Reading, in part: "The time being at hand when, according to custom, the New York Common Council will apply to you for your portrait to be placed in one of the rooms of the City Hall, I take the liberty to address you this letter. My apology is, that such occasions it is usual for the sitter to select the artist..."
In this letter Bryant recommends Mr. Charles Ingham as an artist for Marcy's portrait for the New York Common Council. Bryant says: "...should he be selected, I have no doubt that he will produce an excellent likeness and a meretorious work of art." He continues: "That Mr. Ingham is a democrat is, I know very well, no qualification for painting a portrait, but I am sure that the circumstance will not stand in the way of his being employed"
Price: $250.00 Free Domestic Delivery
