Important Historic Americana | October 17, 2024
Thu, Oct 17, 2024 10:00AM EDT
Lot 1163
George Washington Letter to Joseph Webb
Estimate: $6,000 - $9,000
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $100 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
signed at bottom "G. Washington"
[REVOLUTIONARY WAR]
written exactly four months prior to the British surrender at Yorktown, addressing his confidante Joseph Webb, on watermarked paper bearing dove and olive branch, apparently cut down to current 9 x 8 in. size (see note), flanked by prints from engravings done by James Barton Longacre; in frame 13 x 25 overall
Provenance: By Descent in the Fahnestock and Michalis Families, New York
Collected and enjoyed by three generations of a prominent New York family, the following art and objects were housed in the family residences in the Villard Houses on Madison Avenue, Fahnestock Park in the Hudson Valley, and their Summer house in Garrison, New York. The family enjoyed sailing and collected with that passion in mind, acquiring the Buttersworth paintings and other marine art largely in the 1960s and 1970s. Other fine art and objects from this storied family are also included in this auction.
Transcription:
New Windsor 17th June 1781
Dear Sir,
Upon my return from Weathersfield I found Mrs. Washington extremely unwell, she still continues low and Weak, but will set out for the Southward as soon as she can bear the fatiegue [sic] of the journey; she joins me in compliments and best wishes to yourself, Mrs. and Miss Webb. I cannot conclude without assuring you that I have a high sense of your politeness and attention to me while I was at Weathersfield; and that I should at all times be happy to see you at Head Qtrs. I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedient and Obliged Servant G. Washington
Joseph Webb Esq.
Note: As was common practice for Washington to do, a draft would be written and then a corrected copy to send. Oftentimes a third "letterbook" copy was also penned for his own records. When comparing this letter to the virtually identical mate at the Library of Congress, an opening paragraph discussing Washington's order for a pair of boots seems to be absent. Further inspection draws the conclusion that this letter being offered was, at one point, separated just below the opening greeting "Dear Sir" and reattached.
https://www.loc.gov/resource/mgw4.078_0907_0908/?sp=1
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By Descent in the Fahnestock and Michalis Families, New York
Collected and enjoyed by three generations of a prominent New York family, the following art and objects were housed in the family residences in the Villard Houses on Madison Avenue, Fahnestock Park in the Hudson Valley, and their Summer house in Garrison, New York. The family enjoyed sailing and collected with that passion in mind, acquiring the Buttersworth paintings and other marine art largely in the 1960s and 1970s. Other fine art and objects from this storied family are also included in this auction.
toning, creasing, staining, repaired separation, bottom border trimmed into lower portion of signature, brittle matting with one crack and the potential for others to develop, adhesive strip at top of letter when examined out of frame
