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1851 Pittsburgh PA letter ARTIST RUSSELL SMITH PHILA.
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1851 Pittsburgh PA letter ARTIST RUSSELL SMITH PHILA.
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This folded lettersheet / stampless letter has a circular date stamp for PITTSBURGH Pa. [Pitts- isn't really visible], a matching number 10 cent rate, and is addressed to Russell Smith, Milestown, Phila. co., Pa. and is a one and a half page letter written by 'sister Margaret'. The headline is Allegheny Feb 25th 1851. The ink is a bit on the light side, but it's readble. You might want to scan it and have a darker copy to read by. The addressee of this letter was the artist William Russell Smith. From an online biography, in part: ".... painter of grand-scale landscapes in the mid 19th century, Russell Smith was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and emigrated with his parents in 1819 to western Pennsylvania w he grew up in Pittsburgh. His birth name was William Thompson Russell Smith. He was self-taught as an artist, and became a highly successful scenic designer, scientific illustrator, as well as panoramic landscape painter ..." For more details on his life you could find the book "Russell Smith, Romantic Realist" , by Virginia E. Lewis, University of Pittsburgh Press, c. 1956. From this book, you can see that his mother's name was Margaret Russell, he had a sister named Isabella and a niece Miss Mary Sample. Lots more writing in that book, I found the at a state library and only had time to skim through it (it wasn't available for check out). See my other auctions for more letters sent to Russell Smith. With these letters you could write an article for a history or genealogy magazine, and shed some new light on the family background of Russell Smith. Some abstracts: "We received Williams letter with the word that you sail on the 25. May you have propicious gales, and a speedy and safe voyage." "Father and Mother are well, and so also was Jessie and her family when we heard last." "David's health is rather better this winter ..." "I was copying your beautiful beautiful map [?] Rose the other day, the day we received Wm letter and what a host of Rock Hill recollections arose! how many beauties we discover in a good painting when we attempt to copy it, so it was with this lovely rose. This reminds me of those flower [????] of Andrew's, if you would like to lend them to me till you return I would make careful copies of them all ..." "My copies I would use as patterns but if they are packed away and would be too much trouble ...." "Are you not going to favour us with a few lines before you leave the western world?" "Give my love to Xanthus and Mary ..." Condition of the letter rates good. A tear to the side of the seal area was mended with archival tape.As usual with stampless letters, after writing on one or more sides of a sheet of paper, the letter was folded several times and mailed. Please note that most stampless letters have faults such file folds, tears at and opposite the sealing wax area, and some stains / wear / tear and t I hope the scan gives you a general idea of the condition. An interesting letter good for genealogy and history research. See my other auctions for similar items. Terms and conditions: Shipping for a single cover or letter is $1.50 in US; worldwide $2.00. Save on postage on multiple purchases. Packages with value over $50.00 require insurance. $50.00 to $100.00 the fee is 2.30, actual cost. Not responsible for lost or uninsured packages. Unconditionally guaranteed authentic. Member American Philatelic Society. Money order or cashier's check ships within 24 hours. Personal checks require 7 days to clear unless you've purchased from me before. Paypal is fine. Thank you for sending payment within 10 days.
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