![CRÈVECOEUR. Twenty-three autograph letters signed ("St John") to his children, Eau Bonne, Paris, and Sanois, 3 October 1785 to 11 April 1786. Together 67¼ pp, 4to and 8vo, in a contemporary French speckled calf gilt binding. [With:] 32 letters addressed to his children from various correspondants (many in French) including 12 letters from the Countess d'Houdetot, 4 from his daughter Fanny, 2 from Saint Lambert, 2 from his father, 2 from the Paris lawyer M. Target, and 1 each from the Duke de Liancourt, the Duke de la Rochefoucauld and the Baron de Breteuil.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2001/NYR/2001_NYR_09806_0025_000(034554).jpg?w=1)
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CRÈVECOEUR. Twenty-three autograph letters signed ("St John") to his children, Eau Bonne, Paris, and Sanois, 3 October 1785 to 11 April 1786. Together 67¼ pp, 4to and 8vo, in a contemporary French speckled calf gilt binding. [With:] 32 letters addressed to his children from various correspondants (many in French) including 12 letters from the Countess d'Houdetot, 4 from his daughter Fanny, 2 from Saint Lambert, 2 from his father, 2 from the Paris lawyer M. Target, and 1 each from the Duke de Liancourt, the Duke de la Rochefoucauld and the Baron de Breteuil.
THE PRIVATE CORRESPONDANCE OF AN AMERICAN FARMER. St. John Crèvecoeur's marriage to Mehetable Tippett produced three children, a daughter America-Frances (Fanny), and two sons, Guillaume-Alexandre (Ally) and Phillipe-Louis. Crèvecoeur treasured his children and sought the approval of his boys through much of his career. On a separate collection of correspondance from influential Americans, Crèvecoeur wrote a note which symbolized his love for his sons: "This collection, like old cheese, will I hope, few years hence, prove acceptable to these two dear boys for whom it is intended, as well as a much larger one of Gleanings and other materials which I am preparing. Caen, 18 8br., 1790" (Bourdin, Gabriel, and Williams, Sketches of Eighteenth Century America, p. 19). His letters to his sons, who were away at school, reflect the concerns of a caring father.
Writing from France where he had returned to work upon his second edition of Letters, Crèvecoeur spent significant time encouraging the studies of his sons. On 24 October 1785 he writes: "I must...persuade you...that if you intend doing something in this world, it must be with your hand & pen...you should write her [Fanny] a long letter, but you should get somebody to correct your English." Educational advice is balanced by emotional and physical support. On November 24, 1785, in response to his children's needs, Crèvecoeur writes; "do tell me what they are & within my reach, if within the limits of Prudence, I will Endeavor to supply those wants." In some letters, Crèvecoeur writes of his own business and literary affairs; "the King's being at Fontainebleau retards my business...[but I] improve every opportunity to accomplish my affairs...I am always in at 4 o'clock & I go to no place of Recreation, because it costs too much money." In apology for his inability to spend time with them, he writes, on 26 January 1786, specifics of his busy schedule and his efforts to publish the second edition of Letters from an American Farmer: "my two dear boys will be persuaded that their Good Father had rather be with them...than to be perpetually Dining from one Duke's house to another - but I confirm & Rivet myself in their good graces...I Enjoy the Esteem of many worthy people & I am doing Little by Little what I could not do, was I in Normandy...The Accounts of the Packet boats are but just settled. I am getting drawn the Prints [engraved plates] which are to be in my 3d. Volume: in short I am not idle." By March 10th, he is still consumed by his efforts with the book: "Tomorrow I begin the settling of all my affairs; I am determined to see you soon, & to spend my June at working at my 3d. Volume - such are my determinations."
Other letters in the collection provide evidence of Crèvecoeur's prestigious connections with France's social elite in the years before the French Revolution. (2)
THE PRIVATE CORRESPONDANCE OF AN AMERICAN FARMER. St. John Crèvecoeur's marriage to Mehetable Tippett produced three children, a daughter America-Frances (Fanny), and two sons, Guillaume-Alexandre (Ally) and Phillipe-Louis. Crèvecoeur treasured his children and sought the approval of his boys through much of his career. On a separate collection of correspondance from influential Americans, Crèvecoeur wrote a note which symbolized his love for his sons: "This collection, like old cheese, will I hope, few years hence, prove acceptable to these two dear boys for whom it is intended, as well as a much larger one of Gleanings and other materials which I am preparing. Caen, 18 8br., 1790" (Bourdin, Gabriel, and Williams, Sketches of Eighteenth Century America, p. 19). His letters to his sons, who were away at school, reflect the concerns of a caring father.
Writing from France where he had returned to work upon his second edition of Letters, Crèvecoeur spent significant time encouraging the studies of his sons. On 24 October 1785 he writes: "I must...persuade you...that if you intend doing something in this world, it must be with your hand & pen...you should write her [Fanny] a long letter, but you should get somebody to correct your English." Educational advice is balanced by emotional and physical support. On November 24, 1785, in response to his children's needs, Crèvecoeur writes; "do tell me what they are & within my reach, if within the limits of Prudence, I will Endeavor to supply those wants." In some letters, Crèvecoeur writes of his own business and literary affairs; "the King's being at Fontainebleau retards my business...[but I] improve every opportunity to accomplish my affairs...I am always in at 4 o'clock & I go to no place of Recreation, because it costs too much money." In apology for his inability to spend time with them, he writes, on 26 January 1786, specifics of his busy schedule and his efforts to publish the second edition of Letters from an American Farmer: "my two dear boys will be persuaded that their Good Father had rather be with them...than to be perpetually Dining from one Duke's house to another - but I confirm & Rivet myself in their good graces...I Enjoy the Esteem of many worthy people & I am doing Little by Little what I could not do, was I in Normandy...The Accounts of the Packet boats are but just settled. I am getting drawn the Prints [engraved plates] which are to be in my 3d. Volume: in short I am not idle." By March 10th, he is still consumed by his efforts with the book: "Tomorrow I begin the settling of all my affairs; I am determined to see you soon, & to spend my June at working at my 3d. Volume - such are my determinations."
Other letters in the collection provide evidence of Crèvecoeur's prestigious connections with France's social elite in the years before the French Revolution. (2)