25510

Coin Designer Augustus St. Gaudens 1894 Letter Si

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
Coin Designer Augustus St. Gaudens 1894 Letter Si
<B>Coin Designer Augustus St. Gaudens 1894 Letter Signed and Photo</B></I> The designer of arguably the most beautiful coin ever minted, the $20 St. Gaudens U.S. gold double eagle. It adorns the top of our world headquarters in Dallas next to our name. St. Gaudens was born in Dublin and studied in Paris and Italy. Having served an apprenticeship in cameo cutting, he gained mastery over sculpture in low relief. He worked in the beaux-arts style and became the foremost sculptor in the United States as well as having a strong influence in the development of American sculpture. He was a founder of the Society of American Artists in 1877. This lot contains two outstanding items. A typed letter signed, dated April 4, 1894 to R. U. Johnson mentions the very society he helped found, in part: "The Society is not as it was of old, and its action is as uncertain as the waves of the sea." Fine condition, 8" x 10" in size, original folds. Also in this lot is a fine old 19th century photo of St. Gaudens notated on the verso, "Portrait of Augustus St. Gaudens by the Carbon Studio." This studio was located in New York City and was owned by James L. Breese in partnership with pictorialist Rudolf Eickemeyer Jr. Image size 6.75" x 8.75" and condition is very good with some light spotting. <I>Accompanied by COA from PSA/DNA.</B></I> 2 Items