Description:

Sully Thomas



Thomas Sully Arranges for the Framing & Delivery of His Portraits of President James K. Polk & His Secretary of the Navy, John Y. Mason


Fine content Autograph Letter Signed, "Thos Sully," 1 page, 1 page, 7.75" x 10", Philadelphia, June 13, 1847 to Secretary of the Navy John Y. Mason concerning his painting of Mason and President James K. Polk. Together with a second Autograph Letter Signed, "Thos Sully," and again, "T.S." in the postscript, 1 page, 7.75" x 10", Philadelphia, June 18, 1847 also to Mason on the same subject. Expected folds, a few light spots of foxing, else fine.


Sully's first letter concerns the preparations for framing as he finished the portraits, and reads, in most part: "I addressed a letter to you at Chapel Hill with particulars concerning the portrait which I am painting of the President, and you. It would be well to have them Framed here, and I should be glad to learn f that is resolved; and which of the three kinds of Frames which I sent a list of is chosen- Please inform me, as no time should be list in having the Frames prepared. " Below his signature, he has added an estimate for the cost for the three types of frame with varying degrees of ornamentation ranging from $20 to $40.


Five days later, Sully again writes to Mason to inform him that the paintings were ready for shipment to North Carolina: "I have finished the portrait of the President, and Secretary Mason; and shall forward them to Chapel Hill next Monday. I would be much gratified to be enabled to address each portrait to the proper Society; and to know the best route for the conveyance to Chapel Hill. They will be send without Frames, as none were ordered." To expedite a response from Mason, Sully adds in a postscript: "N.B. on Monday next I intend to visit Providence R.I[. where I mean to pass the summer."


Polk's portrait was commissioned by the Dialectic Society of the University of North Carolina. James K. Polk's diary notes that he sat for Sully "the celebrated artist of Phila," on May 20, 1847. The President gave Sully "a sitting of 1 and 1 1/2 hours. Judge Mason, The Secretary of the Navy, also gave him a sitting for his portrait which he is taking of the Philanthropic Society of the University of North Carolina. We both sat in the red parlour above stairs in the President's House." Polk sat again the following day for an additional two hours and on the morning of Saturday May 22, 1847. According to Polk's notes he sat several more times for Sully. (Gladys Hall Coates, "The Society Portraits," address before the Philanthropic Society, University of North Carolina, November 14, 1946).


Both portraits remain at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.


Provenance: The Estate of Charles E. Sigety, Christie's New York.


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