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195

Mathew Brady

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:12,000.00 - 13,000.00 USD
Mathew Brady

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Auction Date:2011 Dec 07 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : 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
A most important and historic archive of letters and images concerning the wide-ranging photographic business operation of Charles D. Fredricks (1823-1894). Fredericks was an American pioneer photographer in direct competition with Brady, Gurney, and Tomlinson, and indeed his New York gallery was often described as far superior to those of his contemporaries. He is credited with the invention of the carte de visite and the mammoth photograph. The archive offered is largely centered upon the Civil War years, and gives a rare view of how the infant industry was conducted at that time. Of particular importance are the letters of Henry Avery, Fredrick's partner and assistant in the field, as well as letters from Fredricks and his assistants to Mathew Brady, several with autograph notes at the bottom by Brady, signed “B.” The single Autograph Letter from Fredricks to Brady is one page, written from New York, Apr. 2, 1866, concerning an apparent dispute between the two over a $200 debt. At the bottom, Brady has penciled five lines of notes concerning the debt, then adds in ink: "The above Account-in pencil-was made on receipt of this letter. B". Another letter, four pages, written from New York, Nov. 25 [1864?] was written to Brady by Elijah Cook, Fredrick's nephew, strangely discussing business and mentions the delivery of $200 to his aunt. At top, Brady writes: "You will notice by the words underlined that the money was to have been handed to Mrs. Fredricks - that is why I sent it to him instead of Mrs. Fredrick. B". Pinned to this letter is an autographed note by Brady which reads: "You will notice his erasure-where he first wrote 'sent to' my aunt & afterward written 'given to' my aunt by me." Another letter from Cook, also discussing the debt, bears Brady's docket on the reverse: "E L Cook May 18, 1865."

Also included are approximately 25 ALSs by Henry Avery to Fredricks, about 80 pages total, dating from November 31, 1864, to May 10, 1865, giving his partner in Havana updates on their business. In very small part: "I have made our Card Photographs of Celebrities at $10 per hundred and sales immediately came up almost double…I will share with you equally…all losses by Pirates…endeavoring to get up an excitement…in the Porcelain and Double Card picture…I have exhausted all the money we have…I do not feel much encouraged…2,000 more albums, every one of which is sold…made arrangements for Malmedy Paper…our sales in albums average nightly from $15 to $40…if our business is not managed close we shall have losses…the state of the Country, chances of the closing of the war, and a general panic in perspective causes great caution in all the channels of business…we are not making much of anything…The South cannot fight any long fights…their ports are closed…it is hard kicking against the pricks…cards are decreasing with us but large works are increasing…the murder of Lincoln has completely checked all business…we have no life negatives except of Booth…we were the only parties who had any life pictures.” There is an incredible amount of financial news and business expenses concerning their New York, Paris, and Havana galleries, all tempered by Avery's pessimism and some accusation by Fredricks of malfeasance or at least squandering of the firm's cash.

There are also more than 60 ALSs to Fredricks from his wife Louise, written from their home in New Jersey and setting forth family news, with allusions to her husband's trysts and the family's lack of funds; about 15 letters and documents from his bankers concerning financial matters, with three checks signed by Fredricks; a small group of letters from his sister; 13 lengthy letters from his managers, Augusto Daires in Havana and a Mr. Penabert in Paris, about 40 pages total, most penned in 1865, dealing primarily with business-related matters. Additionally there are a number of photographs included in the lot, notably two cased images, the first a 2.75 x 3 daguerreotype by Fredricks, possibly a bust self-portrait, a similar sized tintype of an ornately dressed lady, also by Fredricks, and 17 cartes de visite, including full-length images of Fredricks and his wife Louise, Gen. Tom Thumb and wife, Lincoln (a bit faded, trimmed at edges), Horace Greeley, with the balance unidentified. Finally, there is a blue and white striped sleeve, closed at one end, 10 x 6, likely used to handle wet plates or negatives. In overall very good to fine condition.
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