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Home / Historical / 2021 May 19 Manuscripts Signature Auction - Dallas Auction #6236 / Preview Item
     

    Aaron Burr Letter Signed while Vice President. On...

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    Description

    Aaron Burr Letter Signed while Vice President. One page, 7.75" x 9.5" (sight), City of Washington; January 29, 1802. Addressed to a William. S. Smith. It reads in part: "Of an hundred letters which I found on my arrival in this city, your's was certainly the best, for it was the only one which made me laugh. Your goodness to Van Derlyn I consider as a direct tax on my gratitude. The probitory [sic] bill here with enclosed has passed the H. of R. and will pass the Senate with little attention. Fifty or Sixty officers will be thereby displeased and will I fear have no other provision than the pittance which you will find in the bill." With a postscript: "If Van Derlyn be with you, desire him to write me what he is about." Signed, "A. Burr." Matted and framed with a print of Vanderlyn's portrait of Burr to an overall size of 21.5" x 14". Not examined outside of the frame.

    John Vanderlyn (1775-1852) was a Dutch American neoclassicist painter and protégé of Aaron Burr. He sent Vanderlyn to study in Paris for five years and, upon Vanderlyn's return to America, lived with Burr for a period of time. He painted portraits of James Monroe, Zachary Taylor, Andrew Jackson, George Clinton and John C. Calhoun.

    Condition: Two small pinholes to signature. Moderately toned and rubbed. .75" closed tear to bottom left corner. Matting toned. Frame lightly scratched.

    Auction Info

    Bidding Begins Approx.
    April
    30th Friday
    Auction Dates
    May
    19th Wednesday
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    19 Days
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