Description

Autograph Letter Signed Author: SULLIVAN, John Whiting (ca. 1801-?) Title: Autograph Letter Signed Description: This prominent Boston businessman and partner in the import/export firm Sullivan and Barbour may have been the son of the Revolutionary War general John Sullivan, according to some sources, though other evidence suggests not; he was also secretary of the United States Land Company and other similar concerns; his wife, Marian Dix (1802-60), was sister of General John A. Dix and a noted composer best known for her hit song "The Blue Juniata"; together, the Sullivans were well-known Boston socialites. ALS, 1p + integral address leaf, 7 3/4" X 9 3/4", Washington, DC, 1865 March 13. Addressed to Brigadier General Edward A. Wild (1825-91), commander of the famed black infantry brigade popularly known as "Wild's African Brigade." Near fine. Wild married Sullivan's daughter, Frances Ellen, in 1855. Sullivan writes to his son-in-law (in part): "I commend to your acquaintance & regard, my friend Geo. May Powell, Esq, of the Internal Revenue Department; who is the son of an excellent and lamented friend of mine. Mr P. has attracted attention and favor in the highest quarters, by his very able writings upon finance & taxation -- and for his superior genius as an inventor of note, and his many excellencies as a gentleman + a christian...." Powell (1835-1905) was a statistician with the U.S. Treasury Department during the Civil War, after which he became a noted social reformer, philanthropist, publisher, "Bible geographer" involving his travels through Egypt and Palestine, and inventor. An intriguing item from this Boston noteworthy to his famed son-in-law regarding a renowned Renaissance man of the day. Interestingly, Sullivan writes just after the end of the Civil War and about one month after Abraham Lincoln's famed visit to Richmond shortly before his assassination -- Wild's men were among those troops who witnessed this event. Since this letter was given to Powell (who could have read it) rather than sent my mail (it’s not cancelled), it’s formal, with the father-in-law addressing his son-in-law as “My dear General.”. Seller ID: 36132 Subject: Autographs Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts deals in out-of-print and antiquarian books, autographs and historic documents, ephemera, maps and pre-1900 newspapers. We operated as an open shop from 1991-2014 in historic Galena, Illinois, and have transitioned to by appointment, mail order and book fairs. Member: ABAA, MWABA, The Manuscript Society . We take great pride in the quality of our stock and clean and cover all hardbound books in dust jacket sleeves or mylar. Every effort has been made to describe each item and any defects accurately. Terms & Shipping All orders ship within two business days. We offer combined shipping on multiple orders. In order for the shipping discount on combined purchases to be applied, please wait for our invoice before making your payment. Books ship via USPS Media Mail with tracking. Expedited shipping via USPS Priority Mail can be requested. Please contact us for a quote before making your payment. Autographs, Maps and Ephemera always ship via USPS First Class or Priority. The default shipping charge is for Priority Flat Rate. For reduced shipping on very small items, please wait for our invoice before making your payment. Large or heavy items may require that additional charges be invoiced separately. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING We ship internationally using eBay's International Shipping Program. Autographs Guarantee We are professional, full-time autograph dealers with nearly 30 years' experience buying and selling, authenticating and providing appraisal services. All autographs are guaranteed authentic without time limit to the original purchaser . William Butts, co-owner, apprenticed under a well-known Chicago dealer in the 1980s. For years he authored two columns in Autograph Collector magazine and after more than 25 years remains book reviewer for Manuscripts (quarterly journal of The Manuscript Society), in which capacity he stresses autograph education and reference works as the cornerstone of any serious dealer or collector. He has lectured on autograph authentication and contributes reviews and articles to publications such as Fine Books and Collections. This listing was created by Bibliopolis.