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626

John Singleton Copley

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
John Singleton Copley

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Auction Date:2010 Jun 16 @ 10:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Bid online at www.rrauction.com. Auction closes June 16.

American-born painter (1738–1815) best known for his distinctive portraits of patriots such as Paul Revere and of upper-class Boston society. After emigrating to England, he took up large-scale historical scenes, including one of his most famous works, the dramatic maritime tableau Watson and the Shark. Rare ALS signed “J. S. Copley,” one page both sides, 7.5 x 9.25, mailing panel postmarked January 2, 1800. Copley writes to Messrs. Williams and Brooks. In part: “Gentlemen, I am at a loss to conjecture what answer I am to be given to what I had the honour of stating to you in my last, except a denial of the matter of facts. In the middle of August, long before Mr. Morley had any claim upon me, I gave him my note, upon his…that it should be twice renewed. The proposition came in all its parts from him; and I…to it chiefly with a view to his accommodation. It was a fair agreement there was on both sides an equivalent. I have performed my part; I call upon Mr. Morley to cut with honour and perform his. It will save both him and myself much trouble. I offered to give a third note, in pursuance of the agreement or, as this is the only transaction I have ever had with Mr. Morley, I proposed if he was dissident of my punctuality to give him security upon real property—as to his terms, give me leave to say, that I have lived long in the world and have never yet found it necessary to support my own credit by any application to my friends.

It is a measure to which I shall resort only in the last instance, much for the purpose of defending myself against a claim founded upon a departure from a positive agreement which was expressed in the most unequivocal terms and besides being supported by the fullest evidence was confirmed and acknowledged by Mr. Morley in presence of my son and the whole of my family. I must again request that in the further prosecution of this affair you will give me such reasonable notice as may enable me to communicate with my solicitor and make the necessary provisions to secure me from personal insult.” The second integral page bears an address panel written in another hand. In very good condition, with intersecting folds (several extra vertical folds), scattered wrinkling, mild toning and soiling, ink “X” though first few lines of text, and a few tape repairs to integral second page. The writing is dark and clear throughout, and much of the black wax seal remains.

The final fifteen years of Copley’s life and standard of living were filled with strife, as well as physical and mental problems. Although he painted persistently, he had to cope with an abundance of financial worries, brought upon by maintaining an expensive residence and tuition for his son’s education. Suddenly, Copley found trouble finding a market for many of his finished canvases. This letter was written at the start of that slow downward spiral, one in which the colonial artist was insulted in front of his son and family “the necessary provisions to secure me from personal insult.”
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