Description:

Mathew Brady
New York, NY, December 6, 1864
Mathew Brady of Lincoln Photo Fame, Docket From Civil War, on Photographer Charles D. Fredricks' Letter to Him
AE

Docket "E L Cook / Dec 6/64" by Mathew B. Brady on fourth page of an Autograph Letter Signed "E.L. Cook," 4pp, 5" x 8", two conjoined sheets, front and verso. Tear at joint expertly mended. New York, December 6 [1864]. To Mathew Brady. Elijah L. Cook was photographer C.D. Fredricks' nephew. Expected folds and creases. Light stains at lower corner of second sheet. Fine condition.

As the Civil War was drawing to a close, the interest in battlefield photographs waned, and Brady suffered a number of financial setbacks.

Underlined words in the first sentence in purple ink probably by Brady; other underlined words by Cook. In part: "Yours just recd draft for $200 came all right. The note was made on the 30th of Augst so there is 3 mos. due on it. I will send myself tonight the cigars to Blauvelt. I have raised the devil with Betts who says it is all the fault of ‘his man.' I saw your wife in a stage the other day She was well and looking as handsome as ever – says she goes on to see you tomorrow. I was much provoked at Betts way of doing things. Liquors were offered me by a dozen different parties, but as he was an old chum thought he would do better. I concur in all your remarks respecting papers &c they were drawn up by a friend of mine who is a lawyer and brot in at the last minute so that I just skimed over them but as he said it ‘was all right'...You are right I do owe 3 parties in W[ashington] but Van Hooks is the largest and only $200 If I can only get what is owing me I could laugh at such things...As far as managing ‘the Gym' or even ‘advising' you is concerned, all I can say is I should not know how to do either or even desire to. All the advice I have to give is go ahead and make money as fast as possible. Is this sound? The advice part was originated in the fertile brain of the lawyer it was no idea of mine I assure you..."

Docketed on fourth page by Mathew B. Brady, "E L Cook / Dec 6/64," across Cook's writing, with adequate contrast.

From 1855-1875, the studio of Elijah L. Cook's uncle, Charles D. Fredricks (1823-1894), at 585-587 Broadway operated as Fredricks Photographic Temple of Art, the largest and most stylish photographic gallery in New York City. In 1859, Fredricks introduced cartes de visite photographs to the United States and became the American agent of French photographer F.R. Grumel, inventor of the photograph album. Fredricks brought suits against anyone who infringed upon Grumel's patent. He also supplied photographic templates for the illustrations in "Frank Leslie's Illustrated," the first periodical that made pictures its selling point. When his studio was destroyed by fire in 1875, Fredricks relocated to 770 Broadway.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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