Description:

Thomas Sully
Philadelphia, PA, ca. November, 1842
Thomas Sully Introduces a Pioneering Nineteenth-Century Engraver
ALS
An autograph letter signed by American painter Thomas Sully, penned in a tight, neat hand on integral address letterhead, with fine content and artistic association. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 1842. 1p. 8"x 10". The letter exhibits toned folds with a few pinholes thereon, in otherwise in very good condition, with the address leaf also accomplished in Sully's hand. Offered together with a portrait engraving of Sully by John Sartain, 7.5"x 10", mounted to cardstock, with light foxing to margins and a small chip at bottom, not affecting the image.

Sully writes to politician John H. Wheeler to introduce the engraver John Sartain, a pioneer of the mezzotint method of reproduction, which caused a sensation in the United States during the nineteenth century. In part: "…My brother Artist, and most esteemed man, will pass through Raleigh on his way further South, and in the hope he may chance to encounter you, I venture a few lines to make him acquainted. Mr. [John] Sartain may not meet with our daughter Ellen, your dear wife, but he can tell you how matters have gone on with all of us for some time past…".

By 1842, Thomas Sully (1783-1872) was at the height of his fame, and his portraits were sought-after by prominent members of American and English society alike. His long list of sitters included Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, Marquis de Lafayette, and, of course his most famous subject, Queen Victoria.

Sully met the English-born engraver John Sartain (1808-1897) in Philadelphia after the latter's emigration to the United States and his settlement into the artistic community there. In 1841, Sartain was just in the early stages of his career, engraving plates for popular serials such as "Graham's Magazine" and pioneering the use the mezzotint (half-tone) method of printing. This long-favored technique for reproducing paintings as prints had been popular in Europe and England for years, but until the London-trained Sartain brought it to Philadelphia, it was not represented in the United States. Sartain found himself gaining fame by working with popular painters of his day such as Sully, eventually serving as art director of the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. The two artists enjoyed a friendship as well as an artistic bond: Sully painted Sartain's wife in 1843, and Sartain would make a mezzotint of a Sully self-portrait in 1856, among other collaborations.

Sully's daughter Ellen Oldmixon Sully had married Sully's correspondent, John H. Wheeler, in 1838. In 1842, Wheeler was North Carolina State Treasurer, serving in that position for two years.
He later served as United States Minister to Nicaragua (1855–1856).

Also included in this lot is a fine carte-de-visite photograph showing Sully's house in Philadelphia, with a backstamp by Rehn & Son Galleries. The bottom two corners are clipped, but otherwise this photo is in very good condition. Three pieces in total.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 8" x 10"
  • Medium: ALS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

May 15, 2024 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000