Description:

Peary Robert

Robert E. Peary TLS to Arctic Expedition Financier Morris Jesup 

1p TLS signed by explorer Robert E. Peary (1856-1920) as "R.E. Peary" at bottom. Written in Washington, D.C. on December 7, 1903. Typed in purple ink on cream stock with a blue embossed "Department of the Navy / Bureau of Yards and Docks" letterhead. Docketed by the letter recipient at upper right. With the collector's pencil notation (when purchased, and for how much) found at upper left. Expected wear including light overall toning. Minor mounting traces verso, else near fine. 4.875" x 7.75". Ex Ray V. Denslow (see biography below.)

In part, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

"My dear Mr. Jesup:

  I sincerely hope that you have found it practicable to see Mr. Parrish to-day, and I also hope that nothing may occur to prevent your being present at the council meeting of the American Society next Thursday afternoon at 4:30.

  I am writing a brief note to Mr. Mills, Mr. Kissell and Prof. Libbey and others whose views, I feel sure, will coincide with yours in regard to the International Geographical Congress, expressing the hope that they may be able to be present at the council meeting.

  Very sincerely yours,  

[signed] R.L. Peary."

Just a few years before writing this letter, Peary had undertaken his third Arctic Expedition in two decades, charting unexplored regions of Greenland between 1898-1902. In 1900, Peary had proclaimed a point discovered on the northern coast of Greenland to be the new "Farthest North." He named it Cape Morris Jesup in honor of financier Morris Jesup (1830-1908), the primary backer of the expedition.

Morris Jesup was a wide-ranging and magnanimous philanthropist. He financed Arctic expeditions like Peary's to achieve geographical ends, and expeditions like Frank Boas's to achieve ethnographical ones. Jesup had a hand in almost every imaginable cause. He gave generously to universities, religious institutions, and charities that helped the urban poor and newly arrived immigrants. He was president of the American Museum of Natural History after 1881.

Peary's letter mentions the next International Geographical Congress. The modern iteration of this society, the International Geographical Union, still regularly convenes. Its core missions are to promote the study of geography, to conduct independent research, and to share findings with the scientific community.

Provenance

Ray V. Denslow (1885-1960), a fourth generation Freemason, and internationally renowned Masonic historian, having written over 20 full volumes and 62 booklets on Masonic subjects. He held extensive positions as a Freemason over his lifetime including Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Missouri and as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Missouri. Perhaps his greatest national honor was that of serving as General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, from 1942-46. He was Grand Master of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor in 1949; Grand Sovereign of the Red Cross of Constantine in 1943; Grand Chancellor of the Grand College of Rites; Great Prior of the Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte, U.S.A. in 1952; and Grand Abbot of the Society of Blue Friars at the time of his death. He held almost 100 honorary memberships in Masonic groups stretching from France to the Philippines.

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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