Lot 111
Morse, Samuel F.B: Beautifully Scripted ALS Dated 1848 to Father-In-Law On Family and References Diamonds from Sultan of Ottoman Empire (1791-1872) One of the great American figures of the 19th Century, Samuel Morse enjoyed acclaim and success first as a brilliant portrait painter including having painted James Monroe, Lafayette, Eli Whitney and John Adams. But it was his other compositions that imbued his political and religious opinions touching on his Federalist views and Calvinist austerity that has lifted his reputation as an American Master. While working on and off on one of his most famous compositions, "The Gallery of the Louvre" he befriended Charles Jackson and became intrigued with his electromagnets. This ultimately allowed Morse to develop a single wire telegraph and the co-developer of Morse Code which became the standard commercial communication tool in telegraphy.
This letter was written during a particularly litigious time in Morse's life frequently having to travel to DC for a great number of lawsuits regarding his patents. Addressed to his father-in-law from his first wife (who died during birth of their third child) he writes of family staying snug in New York, making plans for Christmas and such. But the last paragraph Morse writes, "tell cousin Sarah Anne that my diamonds from the Sultan have arrived, I shall get them from the custom house in a day or two (duties on the ornament is $120) and then you shall know more about them." The sultan is Abdulmejid I, 31st Sultan of the Ottoman Empire who only months prior issued Morse the patent for the country having tested it himself at Beylerbeyi Palace. Morse was awarded by the Sultan The Order of Glory, the second highest honor at the time. Clearly diamonds of considerable value were also involved as revealed here.
Letter is in very fine condition, 10 x 8" single page with no issues save for normal toning and original fold lines. Estimated Value $1,200 - UP
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| Realized $840 |
