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360

Thomas Paine

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:30,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
Thomas Paine

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Auction Date:2010 Jun 16 @ 10:00 (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
Bid online at www.rrauction.com. Auction closes June 16.

Rare ALS, three sides of two adjoining pages, 7.25 x 9, July 12, 1789. Letter to John Hustler in Yorkshire. In full: “The intention of this letter is to open an opportunity of knowing if any degree of relationship exists between Mr. Hustler and the writer and to improve that opportunity as a mean of acquaintance if it shall be found agreeable to the parties. My Grandmother’s maiden name was Hustler. She intermarried with Mr. Cocke an Attorney and Deputy recorder of the Borough of Thetford [Paine’s birthplace] in Norfolk. – my Mother, who is still living, and Mr. Devereux Hustler of Hesset near Bury St. Edmunds, in Suffolk were Brother’s & Sister’s Children – I always understood that the family of the Hustler’s came many years before from Yorkshire at Mr. D. Hustler’s, in the Margin of which, were the Arms of the Hustler family which were the same as those on an old two quart Silver Tankard in his possession.

About 22 years ago a Person of the Name of Hustler in London wrote to Mr. D. Hustler to ascertain relationship – On Comparison, the Arms and the Spelling of Names were the same and the eldest Grandson of Mr. D- Hustler enjoys some estate from that Circumstance.

On my coming into Yorkshire to the Iron-Works of Messrs Walkers of Rotherham I enquired if any of the name of Hustler were living in the County by which means I came to know your place of residence, – and some farther particulars from Mr. Jonathan Walker since his return from Buxton where he and you accidentally met.

As to myself the chief part of my time of late years has been spent in America, to which Country I intend to return as soon as I conveniently can – At present I am engaged, or rather amusing myself in Constructing an Iron Bridge at Messrs. Walker’s Iron Works, after the plan of an Arch intended for a river in America of four hundred feet span – this executing here is 110 feet – As the Work will now go on without me I intend to pass a little time at Scarborough where I have some acquaintance, and in about a Month’s time to go to France and return in Sepr. at which time I expect our Bridge will be nearly finished.

If this letter finds you at Bradford I shall be glad to hear from you, and if you are coming towards this part of the Country and will do me the favour to call, I will wait here to receive you – or I will do myself the pleasure of coming to Bradford as may be most convenient to yourself.” After his signature Paine adds, “Mr. Jonathan Walker at whose House I am desires his respects to you and your family.” Address panel on reverse of second page is addressed in Paine’s hand to “Mr. John Hustler, Bradford, Yorkshire,” with portions of the original red wax seal remaining.

In very good condition, with intersecting folds, a couple through a single letters of signature, scattered toning, show-through from writing on reverse, professional reinforcement to hinge, as well as expert repair to a couple areas of paper loss in seal areas.

This letter from the author and Founding Father was sent to Hustler, a distant relative on his mother’s side, during an investigation of the family tree. Paine cautiously emphasizes the respectability of his background as well as the Hustler family and, perhaps wisely, avoids any hint of revolutionary politics—a revolution flamed by the great propagandist. Paine also notes his current employment, stating, “At present I am engaged, or rather amusing myself in Constructing an Iron Bridge at Mssrs: Walker's Iron Works, after the plan of an Arch intended for a river in America of four hundred feet span.” At the time living a relatively private life in England, Paine also notes a desire here to someday return to America and his intentions to travel to Paris. Ironically, two days later would come the fall of the Bastille, which set in motion events that would bring Paine to Paris and return him to revolutionary politics. A great letter that is not known to appear in any collective works of his correspondence.
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