Description:

Morse Samuel

2pp ALS inscribed and signed by American artist and inventor Samuel F. B. Morse (1791-1872) as "Samuel F. B. Morse" at center of second page, with over 2 full pages of letter drafts in secretarial hand found below final draft of letter. On bifold cream paper with London blind stamp. Letter is in near fine condition, with expected paper folds and partial separation of pages at top. Two areas of minor foxing and a few ink smears do not affect the text. A fascinating working document, with numerous cross-outs and strike throughs. Each page measures 5" x 8".

 

Samuel F. B. Morse penned the final draft of a letter to farmer Henry L. Davis of Moreau Station, New York from Poughkeepsie on April 22, 1858. Below the final draft of the letter are found multiple rough drafts (described as "copy" at the top of page two), that allow us to see how Morse changed his mind about the horse trade.

 

In the April 22nd letter draft, Morse wants to exchange horses with Davis and is willing to travel to Troy in May 1858 to settle the business. In the undated second draft at the bottom of page two, Morse (via secretary) declines to separate his matching pair of horses. By the third draft dated  April 26th, Morse insists (via secretary) that one of his horses is not dangerous. Morse (via secretary) has called off the deal and advises Davis to shop elsewhere in the undated fourth draft.

 

On April 22, 1858, Morse writes: "Suppose you let me have the best horse of your span, without the other. I have some little misgivings, that although he might with proper management be made to work kindly in the carriage, yet you know Cousin Catherine is a little timid, and I think she would not feel easy if he curvets [cavorts] a little." Apparently unruly horses were a concern, as Morse (via secretary) discusses how he handled a horse fearful of "seeing an image of snow" in the later draft on page three.

 

Morse invented the single-wire telegraph and Morse code communication. In 1858, the year this letter was written, Morse received a cash prize of 400,000 French francs from European nations using his telegraph, and was also elected to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.


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