HIRAM POWERS ~ A SEANCE WITH MYSTIC DANIEL DUNGLAS HOME

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*HIRAM POWERS ~ A SÉANCE AT HIS HOUSE WITH MYSTIC DANIEL DUNGLAS HOME. Unusual content Autograph Letter Signed "yours Sincerely / H. Powers," 2 pages, 8vo [5-1/4 in. x 4-1/8 in.], no place [undoubtedly Florence, Italy], undated [ca. 1850]. To Mrs. Elizabeth Stedman Kinney about a séance at his house with the renowned mystic Daniel Dunglas Home [pronounced "Hume"]. He pens "Dear Mrs. Kinney / I supposed that the appointment was for all of us when I saw Mr. Kinney to day, but on seeing Mr. Hume and asking him about it, he said that it would make the circle too large. It seems he is anxious, on account of the long delay to have a small circle this time, especially for the Count and Countess [probably the Ossolis, Margaret Fuller and husband who perished at sea on their return to America in the summer of 1850] . I should be most happy to give my place to you dear Mrs. Kinney, and so would any one of my family, but it seems that for tonight Mr. Hume wishes to have no change made. Do not think amiss of all this, it is only one evening. I was over to tell you all this, but no one answered to my 1st, 2nd & 3rd ringing. I hope to see you presently." Ink notation "Mr. Powers' Autograph" is penned in an unknown hand in a margin. Soiling, short fold break, with paper lightly shaved at one corner, otherwise in good condition. Letters of Powers during this time with reference to the medium Daniel Home and his séances are scarce, desirable and avidly collected. During the 1850s, Powers' house in Florence served both as a place of worship for the Swedenborgians as well as the headquarters of Daniel Dunglas Home [1833-1886], the Scottish-born American mystic who had become the most acclaimed medium of the day. Throughout Europe, his séances were attended by prominent persons including the Brownings; he is the subject of Browning's poem "Sludge the Medium" [1864]. After attending a number of séances conducted by Home [whom Powers called Hume], the sculptor concluded that Home was in touch with "superior powers" despite his occasional reliance on deceptive practices. What troubled Powers, as it did many Swedenborgians, was the possibility that these beings called forth by Home were minions of the Prince of Darkness. American writer Elizabeth Clementine Stedman Kinney [1810-1889] and her husband were stationed in Turin and Florence, Italy from 1850-1865, w she continued to write and publish. The Kinney's were popular in social and literary circles that included the Brownings, the Tennysons, the Trollopes, and Hiram Powers. American artist in Italy Hiram Powers [1805-1873] was the most famous and significant of all the American neoclassic sculptors. In 1834, Powers went to Washington, D.C., w he executed plaster portrait busts of such clients as Andrew Jackson and Daniel Webster. When Powers settled in Florence, Italy in 1837, he made marble reproductions of these busts. He was considered by art critics of the day as ingenious, and he quickly won recognition for his work. His "Greek Slave," is one of his most famous works. His "The Fisher Boy," "Proserpine" and "The Indian Girl" were greatly acclaimed. Among other important busts that he produced were those of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson in the U.S. Capitol Building, as well as John Adams, Martin Van Buren, Edward Everett, John C. Calhoun, et al. ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ TERMS: NO PAYPAL Authenticity Guaranteed. Certificate of Authenticity [COA] is provided if requested . Worldwide shipping is via USPS Registered Mail [insured]: Domestic shipments @ $10.00, International shipments @ $15.00 Buyer agrees to confirm purchase by responding within three [3] days of our winning e-mail notification. All New York State residents are required to pay the 8-3/8 % sales tax. Payment should be made by money order, cashier's check, or personal check within 10 days of the closing date of the auction. All international purchases must be paid... read more

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