Description:

Morse Samuel 1791 - 1872 Artist and inventor of the telegraph, Samuel F.B. Morse makes a recommendation to architect Alexander Jackson Davis, who is designing Morse's Italianate style summer home
Autograph Note Signed "Saml. F. B. Morse," 1 page, 8" x 4". [Poughkeepsie, New York], March 1, 1851. To Mr. Davis. Horizontal folds, one at the base of Morse's signature; two faint vertical folds pass through signature, none materially affecting its appearance. Fine condition.



In full, "Will Mr. Davis be so good as to think of 2 or 3 loads of good tan, and have them drawn as soon as the roads will admit of it. Saml. F.B. Morse March 1. 1851."


"Mr. Davis" was architect Alexander Jackson Davis (1803-1892). In 1847, Morse had bought an 180 acre estate in Poughkeepsie, New York, called Locust Grove. In 1850, he hired Davis to design a home, expanding a pre-existing cottage. Morse recalled the elegant villas that he had visited years earlier in the Italian countryside and he sketched towers, windows, and floor plans on scraps of paper to give to Davis. Morse worked with him, making recommendations, as can be seen in the note here offered. Construction of the Italianate style villa began in 1851 and was completed the following year. Locust Grove became Morse's summer home for the rest of his life. He and his family spent their winters in their Manhattan townhouse.

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