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Auction: 313 - Numismatic Collector's Series - Ft. Worth, TX
Lot: 1499

Trumbull, John American painter (1756-1843) whose paintings of the members of the founding generation have defined our image of the era; among his best-known works are The Declaration of Independence and The Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Outstanding pair of content Autograph Letters Signed "Jno Trumbull," each 1 page, 4to, New York, July 24, and Washington, November 27, both 1828. He writes to his niece´s husband, art collector Daniel Wadsworth of Hartford, CT. In the first, he says he was mortified "by a letter from Boston - but I have since received from the Secretary of the Athenaeum [the collection that Wadsworth was helping found, which remains the cultural jewel of Hartford] offer in favor of Two thousand dollars for the picture - so far therefore I am safe. But my friends here advise me to delay giving an answer to this offer until I can see further the probable result of their plan" which could mean making $3-4000. Seal hole and chipping along right edge affecting five lines, two holes in body not obscuring text, G/VG. He adds in the second letter that "I have been employed in a laborious, troublesome, & dangerous task - clambering for days on scaffolds & step ladders, high above a stone floor. Thank God, it is done. I have got down safe...I am much obliged by the interest you take in my prints...With respect to the portrait of Washington by [Gilbert] Stuart, in the State house - I beg to recommend its remaining untouched, until I can see it..." Some fold splitting at edges, otherwise VG. The painting at the State House in Hartford - which remains there - is a copy of Gilbert Stuart´s famous full-length Lansdowne painting (by Stuart himself). Stuart had just died in early July 1828. [2]

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