LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 Feb Grand Format Book & Manuscript #682  / 

56364

St. Patrick's Cathedral - Archbishop John Hughes

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Paper Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
St. Patrick's Cathedral - Archbishop John Hughes
<B>(Saint Patrick's Cathedral) Archbishop John Hughes </B></I> printed Circular Letter Signed "<I>John Hughes Abp of N. York</B></I>". Four pages, 8.5" x 10.5", New York, June 14, 1858 soliciting funds for Saint Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The letter reads, in small part: "<I>The Archbishop of New York begs leave to apprise you that he will have the honor to call upon you personally, at the earliest opportunity, in reference to the great New St. Patricks Cathedral to be erected on the block bounded by 5th Avenue, West, and Madison Avenue East and between 50th & 51st Streets...</B></I>" The notion of constructing such an enormous and expensive building on what was then the far outskirts of the City was labeled by the public as "Hughes' folly". Hughes, who possessed more foresight than his critics, hoped "<I>to erect a Cathedral...that may be worthy of our increasing numbers, intelligence and wealth, as a religious community, - and at all events worthy as a public architectural monument of the present and prospective greatness of this metropolis of the American Continent...</B></I>" Though he believed that the goal of completing the great monument was "<I>not doubtful... its triumphant accomplishment will depend, in a great measure... from those to whom I have the honor of addressing this letter. The object of it is to ascertain whether there are not in my diocese, or rather, in the city of New-York itself, One hundred persons who will subscribe One thousand dollars each...</B></I>" This was to be the beginning of a long fund-raising process with the "<I>principle...to pay as we proceed up to the amount of Half-a-million of dollars; and if, at that point it should be necessary to obtain, on loan, Two, or Three hundred thousand dollars, I do not think that this need frighten any one. But I should not wish it to be consecrated in my life time until it is finished from the foundation-stone to the top of the cross of the uplifted spires...</B></I>" Although the foundation stone was laid that summer, the construction ultimately took 30 years. Sadly, Hughes died in 1864, unable to see the completion of his great work. Saint Patrick's Cathedral was dedicated on May 25, 1879. Glue remnants along right margin of final page, usual folds, else fine condition. A wonderful piece of New York history! <BR><BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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