Description:

Rachel Jackson 3x Signed ALS Re: Jackson Miniature Portrait: "presents a very striking likeness of the original"

A 2pp autograph letter signed by Rachel Donelson Jackson (1767-1828), wife of future 7th U.S. President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845). Rachel Jackson has signed the letter three times: the first time as "Jackson" as part of her husband's name (paragraph 1, page 1); the second time as "Jacksons" [sic] as part of her husband's name (paragraph 3, page 2); and the third time as "Rachel Jackson" at the letter's conclusion on the second page. July 7, 1827. Written at the Hermitage, the Jackson home outside of Nashville, Tennessee. On bifold paper. The third page is blank. The outer page is an integral address leaf engrossed by Rachel Jackson. The address leaf bears the remnants of the original red wax seal, a manuscript philatelic marking, and a manuscript docket. Expected wear including flattened folds and isolated discoloration. The entire letter has been silked, including a small hole (corresponding to the red wax seal) not affecting any text found near the center. Else near fine and expertly restored. 7.75" x 9.875." Accompanied by a complete transcript of the text.

Rachel Jackson wrote this thank-you letter to Moses Dawson (1768-1844), an Irish-born newspaper editor called the "Jacksonian Spokesman of the West" by historian Thomas L. Koberna. From his journalistic platform in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dawson faithfully defended both Jackson's political policies and personal actions among the nation's important Midwestern constituents in the late 1820s.

Moses Dawson had forwarded Rachel Jackson a portrait miniature of "Mr. Jackson" painted by his son, Thomas Dawson (ca. 1800-after 1850), a talented European-trained artist. The Jacksons received the gift with unabashed delight.

Rachel Jackson wrote in part:

"Dr Sir,

Your complimentary letter enclosing a miniature of Mr. Jackson, has been duly & gratefully received. I know not in what language sufficiently strong to convey to you a proper idea of the sensibility which I feel for the kind and flattering expressions with which it is presented. It has been rendered particularly acceptable, by the circumstances of the times under which it came.

The miniature affords the best commentary of the talent which your son has for + the proficiency which he has made in the art of painting, for it certainly is executed most admirably, & presents a very striking likeness of the original'

In endeavoring to express to you my feelings, I have given utterance to Mr. Jacksons, which are in unison with my own on this occasion.

In conclusion, you will be pleased to accept for your son, your family + yourself the assurance of our high consideration & respect.

Respectfully &c

Rachel Jackson."

In 1827, Moses Dawson had published a 30pp pamphlet, "A Letter from the Jackson Committee of Nashville, In Answer to One from Similar Committee at Cincinnati Upon the Subject of General Jackson's Marriage." Dawson's defense of Jackson served as a forceful rebuttal to politically motivated attacks made by Jackson's enemies, John Quincy Adams's partisans and the National Republicans. The gossip revolved around Jackson's first marriage to Rachel Donelson in 1791 before her divorce from Lewis Robards had been finalized in 1793. Jackson's political enemies had clamored about the exact timeline and circumstances of the Jacksons' first marriage during both his 1824 and 1828 presidential campaigns. The resultant stress from the scandal may have contributed to Rachel Jackson's death in late December 1828, just a month after Jackson's election, as Jackson certainly believed.

During Jackson's 1828 presidential campaign, Moses Dawson continued to rally around Jackson, this time publishing "The Friend of Reform and Corruption's Adversary," a monthly periodical published in Cincinnati from March to October 1828 to answer the charges levied against Jackson in "Truth's Advocate and Monthly Anti-Jackson Expositor," issued from January to October 1828 by pro-John Quincy Adams and pro-Henry Clay publisher Charles Hammond. Moses Dawson also used his influence in other publications, such as the "Cincinnati Advertiser," where he had become the associate editor in 1821, and the editor and owner in 1823. Dawson emerged as one of Jackson's most steadfast supporters and a prominent member of the Democratic Party in Ohio.

We do not know any details about Thomas Dawson's portrait miniature of Andrew Jackson besides Rachel Jackson's statement that the likeness was good. Yet, looking at other examples of Thomas Dawson portrait miniatures at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and in the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, we can venture that the likeness depicted a bust portrait, and the medium was watercolor on ivory. Thomas Dawson was the only miniaturist in Cincinnati from his arrival in 1825. The artist later advertised in an April 1827 issue of his father's newspaper, the "Cincinnati Advertiser," that he had recently returned from Paris, Florence, and Rome, where he had studied miniature painting "under the first Masters." Thomas Dawson promised to make "Likenesses in Miniature" on "reasonable terms."

Meanwhile, to thank Moses Dawson for his continued support of her husband, Rachel Jackson sent Dawson a suit of clothes that she had made herself. In a November 24, 1828 letter to Rachel Jackson, Moses Dawson protested that her gift "far overrates my feeble exertions in the cause to which it alludes." Nevertheless, he offered "his most grateful acknowledgments for the very elegant and feeling expression of your approbation with which you have honoured me, as well as for the handsome present accompanying it --the latter rendered to me infinitely the more estimable, in being the product of your own Household industry--and which shall for the residue of my life by my only Holliday dress, and then left as an Heir loom in my family, when I am no more." Rachel Jackson died less than one month later.

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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