A few examples of appraisal values for
LETTER FROM HOME

• UNION SOLDIER SENDS BATTLE LETTER
  UNION SOLDIER SENDS BATTLE LETTER HOME ON PATRIOTIC STATIONERY Autograph Letter Signed "James" from Williamsburg, Virginia to his mother in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on patriotic stationery (8 x 5 in.) imprinted for the "Second Regiment / New Hampshire Volunteers" (crossed out) and mailed in a patriotic cover noting the loyalty of Rhode Island. It reads, in part, "I have at last been in a Battle and I have come out without a scratch. On Sunday morning last the Rebels evacuated Yorktown...early Monday morning we arrived before Williamsburg when we were apprised of the presence of the Enemy by their firing a volley into our ranks. We immediately formed in line of battle and advanced on them driving in their pickets we then took possession of the edge of the woods and poured a steady fire into them...our artillery commencing to fire immediately after we did. The rebels kept up a hot and steady fire in return and the slaughter on both sides was immense...I saw two men each side of me fall dead shot through the head. I hid under a log and the rebels passed right over me...as I was about to give myself up a prisoner to save my life our troops rallied and poured volley after volley into the Rebels...Thank Heaven I am alive and well and hope you and the rest of the family are also well...". The letter and its mailing cover are presented in a two-sided wooden frame.
• SMALL FRANK CRAIG O/B PAINTING,
  SMALL FRANK CRAIG O/B PAINTING, LETTER FROM HOME, 1901Small Frank Craig (United Kingdom/New York, 1874-1918) oil on board painting titled "Letter from Home" depicting a woman reading a letter leaning against a stone wall under verdant foliage, surrounded by rural Italian architectural details, including red shingled roofs, wine barrels, and cobblestone paths, with farmland visible in the background under a blue sky Signed and dated "Frank Craig / 1901" lower left. Housed in a contemporary giltwood fluted frame with a linen mat and gilt filet. Sight: 9 1/4" H x 13" W. Framed: 16 1/2" H x 20 1/2" W. Note: This work was purchased at Christie's, NY in 1991. Condition: Painting has been mounted to a newer canvasboard. Flaking and losses to perimeter edge under frame. Some retouching to traction cracks, and light scattered areas of retouching throughout, visible under UV light inspection. Largest area 2" L to lower center.
• COLLECTION (29) CIVIL WAR LETTERS -
  COLLECTION (29) CIVIL WAR LETTERS - Letters Home from Private Calvin H. Horr Company D 9th Maine Volunteer Infantry from North Waterford; consisting of twenty-nine letters with the original stamped envelopes written to his mother sister Ruth and brot
• LETTER BY DE FRESE RECOUNTING A
  LETTER BY DE FRESE RECOUNTING A VISIT TO AMERICA 7 7/8 x 5 in.
• LETTERS AND EPHEMERA SAVED BY A
  LETTERS AND EPHEMERA SAVED BY A LONGTIME KENNEDY FAMILY FRIEND Comprising a small and private archive compiled by Kennedy friend and confidant Binky Van Lair, its most important item being a Typed Letter Signed "John Kennedy" on a United States Senate letterhead, one page, January 7, 1955, to Miss Alida Van Lair, Millbrook, New York, reading, in full: "Dear Binky: Many, many thanks for your kind message to me when I was in the hospital in New York. Hospitals are gloomy places, I am afraid; and it makes a tremendous difference when friends remember you as you did. I am feeling much better and am looking forward to getting back to Washington around the first of March. Perhaps I will have a chance to thank you again in person. Until then, Jackie and I want to wish you and all your family a very happy and successful New Year. Sincerely, John Kennedy" with an unsigned note below, in Kennedy's hand reading, "Many, many thanks for your letter Binky. Am looking forward to meeting you in the snack bar at Bailey's Beach Club...(on next page) from me." Copies of this form letter were hand-signed by Kennedy and sent to well-wishers as he recovered from his second back surgery. Some of the letters, like this example, were enhanced with a personal note; additional material present includes an empty matchbook dated 1952 from Hammersmith Farm, Newport Rhode Island, a childhood home of Jackie Kennedy's; an undated and unsigned note in Jackie Kennedy's hand accepting an invitation "...for a cocktail party in honour of...Miss Alida Van Laer; an invitation to the 1953 wedding of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Lee Bouvier with postal cover and personal note to Binky from the Auchincloss family; a chatty 1954 letter from Jackie Kennedy's step sister Nina Auchincloss Straight; an August 3, 1963 invitation to Hammersmith Farm; an August 23, 1963 thank you note from Jackie Kennedy via the White House Social Secretary for an expression of sympathy; an official envelope "edged in black" and postmarked January 27, 1964 from Mrs. Kennedy, containing a card thanking the recipient for their sympathy following President Kennedy's death; an undated card from Jackie as "Mrs. Aristotle Onassis" with a handwritten note signed Jackie; a December 10, 1976 Typed Note Signed "Jackie; a Autograph Note Signed by Janet Lee Auchincloss, mother of Jackie Kennedy, October 29, 1977.
• WAR OF 1812 NY SOLDIER'S LETTER
  WAR OF 1812 NY SOLDIER'S LETTER 1814Letter from Sackets Harbor soldier to friend in Georgia with content. "I have went through a thousand scenes since I saw you ... the enemy is within 30 miles of us their soldiers desert from them every opportunity ... they are obliged to keep a guard to prevent them ... tell Thos Lamar that if he neglects to write me that I shall think hard of him ..." Letter measures 12-1/2" x 8". This document is one of several dozen important signed pieces in today's sale that were part of a large collecion of American historical documents from 1650 through WWII. The estate collection, assembled from about 1920-1960, has never been offered for sale at auction. See images. This item can be shipped in-house.
• ELEVEN LETTERS WITH COVERS HOME
  ELEVEN LETTERS WITH COVERS HOME TO MOM FROM A MAN WORKING IN THE GEOLOGY FIELD, U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 1890-1910, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF HIS WORK AND GEOLOGICAL FEATURES. 8 1/2"H X 11"W (LARGEST SHEET)Eleven Letters with covers home to mom from a man working in The Geology Field, U.S. Geological Survey, 1890-1910, with descriptions of his work and geological features. 8 1/2"H x 11"W (largest sheet) Dimensions: 8 1/2"H x 11"W (largest sheet)
• A GEORGE V LETTER, CIRCA APRIL
  A GEORGE V LETTER, CIRCA APRIL 1918, A PRINTED LETTER "SOLDIERS OF THE UNITED STATES" A George V letter, circa April 1918, a printed message in the form of letter on Windsor Castle stationary "Soldiers of the United States, the people of the British Isles welcome you on your way to take your stand beside the Armies of many Nations now fighting in the Old World the great battles for human freedom. The Allies will gain new heart & spirit in your company. I wish that I could shake the hand of each one of you & bid you God speed on your mission." 7.5"h x 5"w, en suite with envelope
• UNION SOLDIER'S LETTER WRITTEN ON
  UNION SOLDIER'S LETTER WRITTEN ON SHERMAN'S MARCH THROUGH NORTH CAROLINA From D.S. Jones, Goldsboro, NC to Miss Charlotte Earle, Leon, New York, reading, in part: to "Our first mail since leaving Savannah brought me a letter from you...The high name that Sherman has earned is perhaps a great thing at the North, and the advance of his grand army may astonish the world and we may feel that we are doing great things against the rebellion, but it is a horrid state (of) things in the country we have passed through cities, villages, and plantations destroyed and burned, thousands of women and children left without a shelter, clothing or food, but enough of this...We expect to lay in camp here for some time...our wishes and hopes turn to homes and friends...may God hasten the time when we may return." The letter and its postal cover are presented in a two-sided frame.
• FRAMED CALLIGRAPHY WORK "GOD
  FRAMED CALLIGRAPHY WORK "GOD BLESS OUR HOME"ca. late 19th-early 20th century; bird motif ink and watercolor on paper with fine penmanship work scroll and feather design and accented below a resting white dove, placed below dove is a scroll text box with "God Bless Our Home", multi-colored ink penmanship typical of business school students in late 19th century and framed in a flute bead molded walnut frame, 23"x 17 1/4"; Condition: extensive folding, creasing and stains
• LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN,
  LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN, 1917-2009) TO ALICE MOORELetter from ANDREW WYETH (American, 1917-2009) to Alice Moore, Monday, March 7, 1938; mailed Tuesday, March 8, 1938 Dearest Alice: When you get this letter I will be well on my way to Maine. And nothing could be better if only you were along. I am so happy to get my father away from his work. It's just what he needs to keep him from getting stale, which is what would happen if he stayed in his studio any longer. I feel that the trip is going to be very useful to me also not that I am getting stale or am in danger but I have several ideas for paintings of Maine which it will help to develop. My self-portrait I think is going to be the best one I have ever done in fact the best painting. I am sorry that I couldn't finish it before I leave. Did one of my first water colors of Maine from memory and I am sure that it is one my best it's of a dory in the early morning with a spritsail, a damn good one. [sketh of the painting described above, with note "this gives no idea of it at all"] Excuse me for writing so much about what I am trying to paint. I have been doing other things only painting is the thing that gets me so you will have to stand it. I have been reading John Drinkwater's Life of Lord Byron. Have you read it? I like it very much. I hope everything is O.K. with you and your family. I will be thinking of you my sweet. Andy So ends another dull letter, I am sorry Condition:
• Noel Rockmore (American/New Orleans
  Noel Rockmore (American/New Orleans 1928-1995) "Mail From Home" 1986 pastel on paper signed dated and inscribed "NO" lower left inscribed "For Pop" lower right sight 25 in. x 19 in. matted and framed.
• CIVIL WAR LETTERS HOME KIA 154TH
  CIVIL WAR LETTERS HOME KIA 154TH NEW YORK: Collection of 5 letters home from Oscar M. Taylor and Elias W. Skinner both of the 154th New York ''Hard Tack'' Regiment Company E. Oscar Taylor was captured July 1 1863 and subsequently died of disease in prison camp. 4 of the letters have been transcribed special note of letter dated May 9 1863 from Oscar with loads of Chancellorsville accounts. Also included is ''Brothers One and All'' signed first edition book by Mark H. Dunkelman. It recounts the 154th Regiment. Also a hand written poem dated 1864.
• * CALAPAI LETTERIO 25 Original Wood
  * CALAPAI LETTERIO 25 Original Wood Engravings Inspired by ''Look Homeward Angel.'' [New York 1948] Portfolio publisher's cloth boards with angel wood engraving tipped to upper board. Limited edition one of 200 copies with 25 wood engravings printed on Japanese vellum each numbered and signed by the artist. Prospectus laid in. Together with Look Homeward Angel. By Thomas Wolfe. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons 1947. 8vo publisher's pictorial cloth boards dust jacket. First Illustrated edition.
• LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN,
  LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN, 1917-2009) TO ALICE MOORELetter from ANDREW WYETH (American, 1917-2009) to Alice Moore, Sunday, August 14, 1938; mailed Monday, August 15, 1938 Dearest: Your letter gave me one of those thrills that I will not easily forget. For once I almost believe you do care a little for me, I do so much want to believe that some times I feel as if I would like to hold you so tight and tell you that I love you again and again and that I will not let you go, and then I wonder if you do love me enough to want me for life. Oh my sweet, when I think of you being with any one else I feel terrible and when I think of how wonderful it was when your pure body was next to mine and the feeling of you moving against me is one of those things that seems like heaven. You will please excuse this poor attempt at writing as this is something that I can't write about and make sense but I know you know what I mean. I guess the reason is that I feel it too deeply to be able to write it. Before I forget it I must tell you that this man [Siskin?] is hard to get rid of, so I would think twice before I would invite him down to Poughkeepsie. You know the old saying, "you give a Jew a inch and they will take a mile" don't take me wrong now. Just got my water colors back all matted and mounted and I think they look like they ought to do something for me. I have done ten of my best water colors since you left, five of them are large ones; one of the best is of a dory coming through the fog in the early morning. I'm sure you would like it. My father seems very pleased with what I have done. By the way, he is feeling much more like himself again and looks much better. I expect Macbeth here sometime this week so wish me luck. Say, "Wuthering Heights" is one of the most moving and powerful stories I have ever read. Emily Bronte writes the way I would like to paint. The trouble is I find this book hard to put down. The write James Boyd dropped in on us the other day. He is truly a splendid fellow and I think one of the best writers we have of his kind. Do you know his work. I certainly hope the weather is clear tomorrow so that I can get over to the island and finish that picture. Please take care of your self my love and remember I am thinking of you always. Andy Will write soon and write a good one Condition:
• LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN,
  LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN, 1917-2009) TO ALICE MOORELetter from ANDREW WYETH (American, 1917-2009) to Alice Moore, Sunday, March 20, 1938; mailed Monday, March 21, 1938 Dearest Alice: What a shock it was. It's hard for me to believe that you are in the hospital. I certainly hope that you are feeling better and don't you do any worrying now do you understand, I mean it, you take it easy. I am glad that you are in a hospital because I know that they will make you rest, and another thing, don't you do any writing. When I come to New York again I am going to try and come out and see you. Well I can't tell you how impressive Maine is in the winter time but God! It's lovely as hell. Port Clyde seems deserted when you walk down its streets or I should say street. The wind whistling through the buildings makes it all the more stark and you never see a person and when you do it's only for a minute as you see them dart across the street and disappear into a house. But if you want to find the fisherman, just go in a store [sketch of four figures seated around a stove] and you will find them all. In fact, I think they spend most of their time there talking. The weather was beautifully clear while we were in Port Clyde. They have really had a very open winter, very little snow, only six inches, which is strange for Maine. It was pretty cold while we were there. I made several water colors form the car which I may do something with. Some times also made drawings. It's very interesting how different the place looks in the winter, what a deep blue and green the sea is and the rock weed turns very black, which is very effective. I must certainly spend some winters up there and paint some of these things. It never has been touched by an artist that I can recall. Stopped in Boston on the way home and saw the man that runs the art gallery of Doll and Richards. My show is all arranged for there next fall so I guess I will be pretty busy this summer. Also got a book to illustrate from Houghton Mifflin & Co., which I will do before I leave for Maine. Our visit with Kenneth Roberts was a grand one. The place he is living in this winter is a scream. It's in Kennebunkport. The house, or I should say hotel, is owned by a friend of his who let him use it for the winter. It's the most God awful thing I have ever looked at. Roberts himself thinks it terrible. [Sketch of aforementioned building] He took us all over it and made some of the best remarks I have ever heard. I have never laughed as much as I did there. I thought of a very good drawing I'm going to send to the New Yorker of two old ladies standing in front of his house holding a copy of "Northwest Passage" and saying, (So this is Maine) don't you think that would be good. I will tell you more about this visit when I see you. When I arrived home I found a letter from Mr. Macbeth enclosing a letter from the president of the Museum at Atlanta, the Museum that bought one of my water colors, asking me if I would do a painting for his office of some palm trees blowing in the wind, which ought to be swell to do. I finished the sketch for it Saturday and sent it on for his approval. [Sketch of aforementioned painting] I think I am going to do it in Egg Tempera. I want to get a great deal of color in it. I will write again soon and don't forget that I am thinking about you always. I am hoping that you are feeling better so that you will be able to see me when I come up. One thing in your being in the hospital is that you won't be going on any binges. But I really hope that you don't outgrow them altogether, please don't. Good night my sweet dearest, my darling. Andy This letter smells bad to me so hold your nose Condition:
• 3FRAMED AMERICAN CIVIL WAR-ERA
  3FRAMED AMERICAN CIVIL WAR-ERA HAND-WRITTEN LETTERFramed American Civil War-era hand-written letter on paper, addressed to the letter writer's parents, mostly documenting marches, mentions marching "about four miles the other side of Bull Run battlefield," framed alongside envelope with Washington D.C. Oct. 24, 1863 postmark, housed in double-sided frame, label from Old Colony Shop, Alexandria, Virginia, overall: 27.25"h, 16.5"w, 7.25lbs
• LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN,
  LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN, 1917-2009) TO ALICE MOORELetter from ANDREW WYETH (American, 1917-2009) to Alice Moore, Sunday, May 29, 1938; mailed Monday, May 30, 1938 Sunday 6 o'clock, am alone for a minute so will start this letter. Alice Dearest: You are probably ready to kill me for not writing sooner and I don't blame you one damn bit. Your letter was just what I needed to snap me out of being a fool up here. I have never felt so low as I did those first couple of days up here, in fact I have never felt worse. I felt so bad I didn't eat a thing for two days. I tried to but it was impossible. I am feeling fine again now as I have started in to work and have several tempera panels on the way. I have some swell ideas which if I do them right ought to do something for me. Friday I found a dead gull on the shore in front of my studio. He was so beautiful I took him in to the building and hung him up and painted a picture of it, and I think it's a good one. They are really to me one of the most stunning looking birds I know. Have you ever looked at one closely? I did a water color of it first but I didn't get what I wanted so I did it in tempera. Met Jim Balano at Thomaston Saturday morning. He certainly was glad to get down here. Also my Aunt and Uncle from Needham, Mass. arrived here Saturday, so you can see I have not been lonely this weekend, nor have I done any painting. [in pencil along top of page: "I am beginning to hate night, I can't sleep and I lay in bed and think of you, which makes me feel terrible if you were only here"] Saturday afternoon we all went for a sail in Jim's boat. We took along a lot of boiled lobsters which we kept eating all day. We landed on a little island by the name of Eagle and ate some more. Damn if we didn't feel like lobsters now and with the help of the sun we look like them. Saturday night Jasper and his girl by the name of Betty Kelly and Jim and myself went to Rockland. I think we drank all the ale in the place. Then we came home and sat around until 4 o'clock in the morning and talked about nothing, as usual. Jim truly loves it down here and it's such a pity he can't stay. He is one swell fellow. The more I know, the better I like him. [in margin: "excuse the pencil, ran out of ink"] I know the reason he doesn't feel easy with you. It's because you know too much and most men don't like women that way. I guess I feel the same way some times. Today is overcast and is trying to rain and is pretty cood. [Along top margin: "(If you were only with me now I would be happy.)"] Had a surprise this afternoon. I was finishing lunch when in walked your father. I was glad to hear that he is going to be in this part of the country because it may make you come down here and stay. Your father wanted me to come over and have breakfast with him tomorrow morning which was very nice of him but as I have Jim and my uncle here, it's impossible. Your reaction to the Kenneth Robert book was not a surprise to me as my father feels the same way about it. The family are planning to come up on the 12th of this month, so I have not many more days alone. I have wished so often that you could only be here with me. What fun we could have in so many different ways, but I try not to think of these things so much as it makes me feel terribly lonely. With love and more love my sweet, Andy Condition:
• UNION OFFICER'S AUTOGRAPH LETTER
  UNION OFFICER'S AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED JOHN T. NORTON Washington, D.C., December 13, 1862, to his father in Norway, New York, reading Pardon me for not writing to you before as I was uncertain whether I should get my discharge or return to my Regiment. I have decided on the latter. I go on monday . The Col. is anxious that I should come and join my Company. My health is much improved since I left home. Still I am afraid I shall not be able to stand the hardships of camp life. The 97th is now before Fredricksburg (sic). I expect they are having a warm time there. Our regiment is with Gen Franklins Corps which crossed the river three miles below the City. All appearances show that there will be a great battle fought there. I hope our forces may be successfull and drive the accursed rebbles from our land. If our army is successfull the fall of Richmond must ensue. iI hope it will as it will end in crushing this rebellion and may this war soon end when peace and harmony may again reign in our land. I shall be blessed to hear from you soon, give my love to all. Mailing envelope remains with the letter; the stationery, oddly, seems to be embossed with a "CS" in the upper left corner.
• Autographed Letter to Mrs. John
  Autographed Letter to Mrs. John Blagborne, St. Catharines, Upper Canada, September 12th, 1835 quill on wove paper, to "My Dear Elizabeth" written by her father and sister from Glasgow 19.7 x 24 in — 50 x 61 cm
• LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN,
  LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN, 1917-2009) TO ALICE MOORELetter from ANDREW WYETH (American, 1917-2009) to Alice Moore, Sunday, August 21, 1938; mailed Monday August 22, 1938 My Dearest, I am very glad to tell you that Mr. Macbeth was very pleased with my work, in fact, he bought eight water colors outright which I hear is quite good, but what please me most is that he seems really surprised at what I had done this summer. I certainly am glad that's over now and that I can get back to my work. Now the next big thing for me is seeing you again so please don't disappoint me by not coming up. Well, Ann had an eight pound boy last Thursday morning and both of them are perfect. My father and mother are going home to see them in a couple of days, so Carolyn and little Peter and myself and also the cook, Alice will be here alone so you had better come up over Labor Day and keep me company. In fact, I need you very much as I have been under the weather for the past few days with the same bug that my father had. But I think I am better today, but even if I'm not better I am going to paint tomorrow or I will go crazy. I do miss you so much these days and long for you to be near me. I have been wondering what you have been doing these past few weeks. Finished "Wuthering Heights" this morning and got a kick out of every page. She certainly did load drama into that story, but there is something much deeper in it than that. There is a soul in it which makes it live in your mind. This is a book I will always remember. Excuse this short note my sweet as I must get to bed and get some sleep. I am thinking of you. Much love, Andy Condition:
• 1827 LETTER TO SOUTH CAROLINA,
  1827 LETTER TO SOUTH CAROLINA, VIA SHIPPersonal letter, pre-postage stamps, delivered to Charleston, S.C. Addressed to Alfred Ashfield, informing a delay in their arrival on the ship they're taking because of inclement weather. The second paragraph reads: "By the ship Saluda, you may expect to hear from us again and also to receive some newspapers." Archival tape repairs and unrepaired separations. Measures 9-1/2" x 16" open. Provenance: Obtained directly from a collection of historical paper items -- from the Ashfield, Skaats and McNeal families of New York -- none of which has ever been offered for sale. Several lots of these papers, including historically important pieces, are being offered in today's auction. The family, represented in several of the items in the collection, owned land directly adjacent to Wall Street, and some of the pieces refer to these parcels.
• Letterio Calapai (American
  Letterio Calapai (American 1902-1993) "Look Homeward Angel plate 24: The great stars rode proudly up into heaven . . ." Wood engraving signed in pencil at the lower right numbered 12/200 at the lower left from the set of 25 original wood engravings inspired by Thomas Wolfe's (1900-1938) "Look Homeward Angel" first published in 1929 with full margins matted but not framed paper size 14-5/8" x 10-1/2".
• LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN,
  LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN, 1917-2009) TO ALICE MOORELetter from ANDREW WYETH (American, 1917-2009) to Alice Moore, Sunday, May 15, 1938; mailed Monday, May 16, 1938 Dearest Alice, I saw you six days ago yet it seems more like sixty to me. I try to think about what happened when I was with you, but it all seems like a dream I don't understand it at all. I often wonder if you miss me any, but as you don't really love me, I guess you don't. Excuse me for bringing this up again, it's just because I feel so lonely here. There's not much spring up here, in fact it's more like winter. The trees are still bare and it's pretty cold. Today has been a perfect Sunday, dark and rainy. I have spent the day reading and trying to get some letters off to the family. I certainly hope these first few weeks go quickly or I will go crazy. It takes me so damn long to get acclimated to this place. I am as nervous as a bed bug until I get to work. I have been chopping a good deal of wood which has helped a little. It's strange the way most people think all an artist has to do is sit down and paint and I know a great many ones that do it that way and their work looks it. Maybe mine does too, but I can't work that way, but until I do get to work I feel terrible and that is how I feel now, and it's no fun. It certainly was nice seeing you looking so well, you really look like a different person. I am almost afraid what you might do when you hit this Maine air. I have been invited to several meals with the fisherman, which has been very interesting they certainly are great people and they know how to eat too. I hope to start on a portrait sometime this week if everything goes right, although I may hold off for another week in just looking things over. Damn it! Why can't you be here with me. Everything seems to be wrong. I guess I had better stop before I say something I shouldn't. I will write you a better letter in a few days when I pull my senses together. You take it easy now and get lots of sleep and food. Much love to you my dear, Andy Condition:
• LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN,
  LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN, 1917-2009) TO ALICE MOORELetter from ANDREW WYETH (American, 1917-2009) to Alice Moore, Thursday, August 12, 1937; mailed Friday, August 13, 1937 My Dearest Alice, I can't tell you how thrilled and please I was to receive your grand letter. You are a perfect darling. I certainly am a lucky fellow to have a person like you to write to. You are on my mind constantly and it makes me feel very bad to think of you being so far away from me and especially in all of that heat. For the past week the weather here has been very foggy and rather warm for Maine but today its cleared much to my joy although I really don't mind fog because I am in one most of the time. Well I think my painting has made a big jump ahead since you last saw it. Today I did two of my best water colors I really think they are darn good. One is of the Glenmere Church [Second Baptist Ridge Church, Martinsville, Maine] looking through two tomb stones. I think it makes a very effective picture. I must have given a crazy impression to the people that passed the church seeing me painting among the tomb stones. The other one is a landscape done early in the morning. I am also working on a portrait of a young fisherman which is coming along very well. By the way, I sold a picture the other day to a lady from Boston. It was a small water color which I did the day after you left. It brought me in [crossed out word] I received a note from Jim Balano today. He told me that he stayed in and saw you all [in margin] < That's what happens when I read Gone with the Wind) and had a grand time. He probably told you that I am planning to stop off at your place on the way to Chadds Ford. I expect to stay here alone until the end of November. The rest of the family are leaving in about a month. When I look over this letter I wonder how I have the courage to send it to you. I do love you so very much my dear that it's very hard for me to wait to see you again. Good night my dearest darling I love you. Andy Condition:
• LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN,
  LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN, 1917-2009) TO ALICE MOORELetter from ANDREW WYETH (American, 1917-2009) to Alice Moore, Mailed Sunday, November 5, 1938 My Dearest, I have been doing through hell for the past week. I always felt that I could handle things so that nothing could bother me outside of my art but I certainly was wrong, in fact, I have been sick since I came home from Boston. To tell you the truth, when I first received your letter in Boston, I was the most happiest person alive, but when I began thinking of how long it would be before I could marry you it made me feel very sad, and I thought it best that I tell you not to wait for me. But this last week I have felt so lonely and blue thinking of you marrying someone else, but now I am mad, so just see what I do this next year. I am going to work like hell and really do things, and if you don't let me see you I will go crazy or some thing. Don't forget you are coming down to Carolyn's party. Write damn you my darling Andy [Accompanied by a newspaper clipping of a review of an AW exhibition] Condition:
• JUDAH P. BENJAMIN AUTOGRAPH
  JUDAH P. BENJAMIN AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNEDJudah P. Benjamin Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, dated from Washington, Feb. 5, 1861, to an unknown man, relaying, in part, "...I must go home this evening..." and "I will write you from N.O as I may be ordered to Montgomery", 7 in. x 4 in., together with Butler, Pierce. Judah P. Benjamin, Philadelphia, George Jacobs & Company, 1906.
• LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN,
  LETTER FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN, 1917-2009) TO ALICE MOORELetter from ANDREW WYETH (American, 1917-2009) to Alice Moore, Sunday, August 1, 1937; mailed Monday, August 2, 1937 My Dearest Alice, I just had to write you this note to let you know how much I love you and miss you not being here. God! But its been lonely for me since you left. I know now how much I really need you and how desperately I am in love with you . I certainly hope that anything that happened the other night has not changed your feelings towards me because if it has I ought to be shot, but please, please don't let it my darling I couldn't stand it. If you do ever learn to love me and will wait for me I feel very confident that I will make a success of my art and I am sure that it won't be long. I wish I could write clearly what I mean. I know that if I had a girl like you around me long I could really do things with my painting and my dull mind. I really mean this from the bottom of my soul. If it isn't asking too much I wish you would write to me some time will you, Alice. I am writing this in my studio it's about ten o'clock PM. The rest of the family have gone to Rockland to see a show. I feel rather lonely and yet I feel happy when I think of you and then I am glad to be alone. I am getting up at three thirty tomorrow morning to go hauling so I guess I had better say good night to you my love my darling I do miss you terribly. Andy P.S. Have you a small photograph of yourself you could let me have. A. I hope you can understand this letter [Accompanied by a black and white photograph of Wyeth in a straw hat, inscribed "don't I look happy"] Condition:
• TWO LETTERS FROM ANDREW WYETH
  TWO LETTERS FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN, 1917-2009) TO ALICE MOORETwo Letters from ANDREW WYETH (American, 1917-2009) to Alice Moore, mis-dated April 15, 1938; mailed Thursday, April 14, 1938 --> Don't put Philadelphia on your letters. Dearest Alice: It is now 10 P.M. I have just come in after taking a long walk by myself [in margine: "not really, I had my dog Lupe along] in the moonlight it was beautiful, the pale cool haze of the countryside was almost more than I could stand. It made me feel as if I could walk for ever and never tire. It also made me feel very lonely and sad to think of how time is passing and things are changing it's strange the way you never think of time when you are young. (I am talking as if I am an old man.) I am a strange person because I find that the less I see of people, the happier I am. This must sound very strange coming from such a young boy but I mean it. The more I see of cities the more I like the country. When I am in the city I am lost. Every time I go to New York, I can't tell you what it does to me, but it certainly is awful. If you can get to Maine this summer we must certainly plan to take some walks in the moonlight. That was a grand letter you wrote me Alice. It made me feel very sad to think that you can't spend all of your time writing, because your writing shows that you have the stuff. I hope you won't be to much of a different person Alice when you are fully recovered because I am still hoping, just give me a little time. I have been spending the last three weeks getting together research materials for a story at Burgundy in 1150. It's damn well written. It's by Allen French the brother of Daniel Chester French, sculptor. I am doing black and white drawings for it. Really, you would laugh to see the pile of books of research I have around me in the studio. It's a hell of a mess. [Sketch of AW surrounded by books] Also, I just finished a water color for a book on Maine with the Stephen Daye Press are publishing. When it comes out, I will send you a copy. Carolyn told me to tell you to take it easy and don't drink too much beer. Henriette's paintings look extremely beautiful in her show. I don't understand why it doesn't make more of a hit. All I can say is that New York is nuts. I wish you could have seen it, damn shame. I am really sorry that Scribner's article ever came out. I thought it was very poorly written, don't you? And I thought that the pictures were just plain bad. It's impossible for me to do Maine pictures in Chadds Ford. Well you be good now and get well and I will be up and see you. I am thinking about you, much love, Andy Monday March 14, 1938 [postcard] Dear Alice, What a place Maine is in the winter it's stunning, you don't know it until you see it this time of year. We left Port Clyde this morning at five o'clock and had breakfast with Kenneth Roberts at Kennebunkport. He is a grand person, you would like him I know. Also had a nice time with Ben Ames Wil[?] Love Andy [verso] We are spending the night here in Concord. Have you ever been here? It's lovely this time of year - rather cold but no snow, which I am sorry about. I was surprised not to find it colder in Port Clyde. Condition:
• [Civil War - Manuscripts] Civil War
  [Civil War - Manuscripts] Civil War ALS from Mother to Son in Army Celebrating Lee's Surrender  4pp dated April 13 1865 at Pittsfield New Hampshire signed Mother and accompanied by the original envelope addressed to Frank J. Drake Esq. of Hanover New Hampshire. In part: ...The news of Lee's surrender come in 2 o'clock Monday P.M. & I assure you about all business was suspended for the remainder of the day & evening they acted as though they thought ''the year of Jubilee had come'' indeed it was a time of general rejoicing without any distinction of sect sex or party. Bells were rung Cannons fired Flags were raised Torches burned &c. I thought that might satisfy but no Tuesday evening they had a great time they had a very large torch-light procession including the whole school... She further describes the celebrations and spends the remainder of the letter reportig to her son the latest news regarding family and friends.
• UNION SOLDIER'S LETTER HOME AFTER
  UNION SOLDIER'S LETTER HOME AFTER HIS FIRST FIGHT IN NORTH CAROLINA Autograph Letter Signed Wallace Hall, New Bern, NC, May 17, 1862, 7 pp., 8vo, to his mother, Mary D. Hall, Barnes Corners, Lewis County, New York, reading, in part, "...We were Sixteen days coming to New Bern we layed in the harbor at Fortress Monroe a day or two...I saw a rebil Bot come up that they thought was the Marymac...I saw the Monitor & the Iron clad bot lay in the harbor...she kept out of reach...we went toward Trenton (NC) the distance 20 miles...when we came on the pickets. There was two companies of Infantry & some cavalry...the bullets began to fly...they would skulk in the woods & blaze a way at us we took three prisoners & killed eight or ten. They took five prisoners & one was a Lieutenant & shot one of our majors through the shoulder & a number more of our men was shot one was shot in the hand one had his arm almost cut off with a saber and a number more wounded, we came back to Newbern the next night & last night the biggest part of them was out again...Newbern is the pleasantest place I think I ever was in...I have been into Cedar Grove Cemetrie where was found in one of the vaults $40,000 Dollars in specie there is a good many soldiers buried there on both sides...Direct to Wallace Hall Co. "G" 3d N. Y. V Cavalry New Bern N.C. In care of Capt Hull.... The letter concludes with a patriotic verse, likely composed by Hall.
• WAR OF 1812, SOLDIER'S LETTER,
  WAR OF 1812, SOLDIER'S LETTER, RISQUE CONTENTLetter from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, soldier to a friend in Virginia, dated September 1812. Mentions Col. Coles and their hospitable treatment by a Dutch settlement along the Susquehanna. Once drinks were offered to them, "... unfortunately it was my turn to mount guard, which put it completely out of my power to attend their home and drink a little wine with them ... however, the old horse [presumably the colonel] and the rest of the officers gallanted them about the camp in stile ... wehave a good deal of fun on the road shaging [sic] the dutch girls ..." Letter (opened) measures about 10" x 16". This document is one of several dozen important signed pieces in today's sale that were part of a large collection of American historical documents from 1650 through WWII. The estate collection, assembled from about 1920-1960, has never been offered for sale at auction. Some separations and bleed. See images. This item can be shipped in-house.
• FOUR LETTERS FROM ANDREW WYETH
  FOUR LETTERS FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN, 1917-2009) TO ALICE MOOREFour Letters from ANDREW WYETH (American, 1917-2009) to Alice Moore, Friday, September 17, 1937; mailed Saturday, September 18, 1937 My Dearest Alice: The rest of the family left last Tuesday so I am now very much alone. I have been thinking a great deal about you and realizing more and more what a splendid girl you are and what little hope I have of ever becoming your husband although I know we belong together, Alice, I know it as well as my right hand and by God, I'm going to do something about it. What I want to know from you is do you love me or is it hopeless? Please tell me the truth. I wish I could make you out. [Illegible sentence, crossed out] One minute you are very warm to me and the next, oh hell I give up - excuse me. Well I heard form N.Y. today and Mr. Macbeth is planning to give me my show the middle of October which is really a very good time. That means I have to leave here before I expected to though which I am sorry about and I think its worth it, don't you? Also I have been asked to have a one man show in Utica New York at the Williams Proctor Institute, which isn't so bad either. We have been having some foggy weather here for the past week so I have been working in the studio most of the time and have enjoyed it very much. It's really very cozy with the fire going. I think I have some good pictures started too. I hope you are well and that you haven't forgotten about me. I love you I love you I adore and want you but what's the use. Andy Saturday, October 2, 1937; mailed Saturday, October 2, 1937 Dearest Darling - Please, please forgive me for not writing since I have been working so hard that I forgot all about time but not about you I never can you are on my mind day and night and how often I have wished you could be here with me. I always thought that I would never need anyone as I need you . Alice, I want you to be near me always. I need you more than you need me I know although as time goes by I think you will change - I hope so anyway. Well, I have been working in Egg Tempera for the last two weeks and by God I like it I have done several landscapes and am now working on a portrait of a fellow who to me expresses Maine of today. Mr. Sidney Chase the artist who lives in Martinsville can't seem to understand why I should want to paint the worst drunk in Martinsville, but as I told him, I am not interested in painting the picturesque Maine of yesterday but want to paint it as it is today and to me this fellow is typical of Maine of today. I really think I am getting a good one. The name of the fellow is Charles Ervine, ask Jim Balano about him. Thursday I went to the Union Fair and had a swell time, went up with several fellows from the port. Mr. Ervine went also and passed out. I will tell about it when I see you. I want to get this in the mail so I had better stop by saying that I love you so much that it worries me. Andy [Accompanied by a black and white page of an exhibition catalouge depicting "Charles Ervine" by Andrew Wyeth] Thursday, October 14, 1937 My Dearest Alice, Just received word from Macbeth Gallery that my show opens October 19th, so I am planning to arrive in Poughkeepsie Friday night. Hoping that you will be there - Much love, Andy P.S. Could you let Bill Balano know. October, 1937, a Monday after the Macbeth show; mailed Tuesday, October 26, 1937. My Dearest Alice, Just a note to let you know that I am planning to call you from New York City Wednesday night about supper time. My show has gone well. I have sold everything and most of the reviews have been good. You have been on my mind night and day and how I do miss you. I had really a swell time with you in Poughkeepsie and I want to thank you my sweet I love I love you and I love you and by God just watch me. Excuse the terrible writing and also the shortness of this. I love you. Andy Condition:
• THREE LETTERS FROM ANDREW WYETH
  THREE LETTERS FROM ANDREW WYETH (AMERICAN, 1917-2009) TO ALICE MOOREThree Letters from ANDREW WYETH (American, 1917-2009) to Alice Moore, Mailed Tuesday, November 30, 1937, South Carolina Dearest Alice, Well here I am in the South what a change it is from Maine everything is so sleepy here I never expected it to be so warm. The color of the oaks with the Spanish moss is really beautiful, I expect to do some water colors of them later. I have been hunting most of the time since I arrived. I really hate like hell to kill things though. I have shot four ducks. I hope you will forgive me although I won't blame you if you don't, it's hard for me to forgive my self. I am writing you this note from a duck blind do you know what that is here is what it looks like [sketch with notations: I got up at four o'clock this morning and went with a negro guide in a small boat through the rice field. It took us about an hour [sketch, captioned "My Guide"] before we reached the duck blind. It was a very effective trip, I wish you could have been there. The Negros are swell down here. I would love to paint some of them. Of course the only way to paint this place would be to live here which I will never do but this is a great chance for some artist. This is quite a plantation that has about fifty Negros on it. The little buildings they live in are interesting. They look so small under the large oaks. I am going on a deer drive tomorrow, hope we don't get any. [Full sheet skethc of houses under a tree with figure in foreground.] I want to tell you how swell it was having you at Chadds Ford. You must certainly come down again or I will be damn mad . I only wish it was possible for you to be down here with me instead of working in that terrible place you are. You have been on my mind ever since you left me Friday and when I think how far I am from you I feel terrible. Alice, I hope the time goes quickly till I see you again. Please excuse this paper but my sketch book was the only thing I had with me this morning to write on and standing here alone I can't help thinking about you when I think about you I wonder why the hell we have to be kept apart so long then I wonder does she love me and that's the way my mind works. My address here is Cat Island Plantation, South Carolina, c/o Mrs. Wm. G. Ramsay I am thinking of you my dear and you try to think of me. Love, Andy Mailed Sunday, December 19, 1937 My Dearest, I am terribly sorry my letter seemed cold. I truly didn't mean it believe me-Please. I am coming to New York Thursday and will call you some time in the afternoon. My letters may seem cold but you can't call me cool when I am with you, can you? Love Andy [Along left margin] Ann McCoy's engagement is broken off Sunday, December, 1937; mailed December 18, 1937 My Dearest, Well here I am back on the job again and I must say that I am rather glad. The visit South though was worthwhile and an experience I won't forget. I met some very nice people in Charlestown and went to some really swell parties I will tell you about the when I see you. I can't tell you how badly I felt down there and how often I wished I was with you. Your letter was lovely and filled with so much pep after I received it I went out and did three water colors two of which are pretty good, one of them was of a large Spanish oak with a little Negro boy sitting at the foot of it. I think it has very much the feeling of the South in it. I would like you to see it. I am planning to come to New York this Thursday to talk over some business with Macbeth and was wondering whether we could get together Friday night. Would it be possible for you and Peggy to come into New York Friday night. Jim Balano and I could meet you both at the train. I think we could have a swell time of it, don't you? We could arrange to stay at Jim's place. I have to be back here Saturday night for a dinner party which I can't get out of. But I wish you could arrange this with Peggy and let me know soon. Love, Andy Condition:
• *ROOSEVELT ELEANOR Typed letter
  *ROOSEVELT ELEANOR Typed letter signed (''Eleanor Roosevelt'') one page on White House letterhead to a ''Mr. Malone '' August 29 1934. Mrs. Roosevelt apologizes for a second time for being unable to accept an invitation due to non-group affiliation and time constraints. Two horizontal creases; two small brown spots. 8 3/4 x 5 3/4 inches.
• HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW SIGNED
  HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW SIGNED LETTER ALSHandwritten letter from American poet Longfellow to journalist and poet Isaac Pennypacker, dated May 1, 1878. Pennypacker had sent Longfellow a copy of his poem, "The Old Church at the Trappe," and Longfellow was replying with some questions about shipping info This item will need to be shipped by a packing company of your choice. We maintain a list of reliable shippers, or you may choose your own.