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Alexander Wilson, c. 1800-1813
Details
A collection of letters and drawings
Alexander Wilson, c. 1800-1813
WILSON, Alexander (1766-1813). A collection of manuscript letters, manuscripts and drawings, various places, c. 1800-1813.
[Includes:] Autograph letter signed ("Alex Wilson") to Samuel M. Hopkins, New York, 26 September 1808. Wilson solicits a subscription for his American Ornithology, writing to the New York attorney days after he embarked on a tour through New England to promote the project (21 September). One page (308 x 194mm) with integral address panel on verso (partial fold separations, chipped along margin, seal tear loss). * To the Lovers of Natural History. A New and Superb Work … Proposals for Publishing by Subscription … in Imperial Quarto, American Ornithology … by Alexander Wilson… Philadelphia: S. F. Bradford, 6 April 1807. 3 pages, 288 x 230mm. * Autograph manuscript signed ("Alex Wilson") "On the banks of the James River, Virginia, January 1809." A twelve-line poem extoling the virtues of the "country seat of Mr. C. Harrison," and presumed to have been left as a gift for Wilson's host. One page, 199 x 198mm. (light toning at margins). * Autograph manuscript, n.p., n.d. apparently notes regarding the marine birds reported in Cook's Voyages. One page, 120 x 198mm (moderately toned). * Drawing, likely depicting Wilson's Plover (as shown in American Ornithology, vol. 9, plate 73), pen-and-ink and watercolor, 130 x 153 mm (top edge irregularly trimmed), pencil inscription "drawn by A. Wilson" at bottom. * Drawing of an unknown marine bird, pen-and-ink and watercolor, 130 x 153 mm (small hole in blank portion) pencil inscription "A. Wilson" at bottom. * Drawing of six birds, a preliminary sketch (published in American Ornithology, vol. 4, plate 29), pen-and-ink and watercolor, 207 x 130 mm, light foxing. – Drawing of a nesting bird, pen-and-ink and watercolor, 80 x 132 mm, pencil inscription at bottom "A. Wilson" * Drawing of the heads of two birds, pen-and-ink over pencil, 231 x 140 mm. * Drawing of an unidentified bird, pencil, 187 x 425 mm. (irregular margins), pencil inscription at bottom "A. Wilson".
[With:] ORD, George (1781-1866). Autograph letter signed ("George Ord") to Matthew Barr, Philadelphia, 9 May 1858. Four pages, bifolium, 159 x 97mm. The noted zoologist, who accompanied Wilson on two of his collecting trips in 1812 and 1813, inquires on a project to erect a monument to Wilson, "whom I honoured as a friend and loved as a brother." Provenance: Christie's New York, 29 October 1993, lot 55. [And:] ORD, George. Sketch of the Life of Alexander Wilson. Philadelphia: Harrison Hall, 1828. Presentation copy. 19th century half roan (spine chipped). Provenance: Library of the Pennsylvania Hospital (manuscript presentation inscription, bookplate).
Together, 12 pieces.
Alexander Wilson, c. 1800-1813
WILSON, Alexander (1766-1813). A collection of manuscript letters, manuscripts and drawings, various places, c. 1800-1813.
[Includes:] Autograph letter signed ("Alex Wilson") to Samuel M. Hopkins, New York, 26 September 1808. Wilson solicits a subscription for his American Ornithology, writing to the New York attorney days after he embarked on a tour through New England to promote the project (21 September). One page (308 x 194mm) with integral address panel on verso (partial fold separations, chipped along margin, seal tear loss). * To the Lovers of Natural History. A New and Superb Work … Proposals for Publishing by Subscription … in Imperial Quarto, American Ornithology … by Alexander Wilson… Philadelphia: S. F. Bradford, 6 April 1807. 3 pages, 288 x 230mm. * Autograph manuscript signed ("Alex Wilson") "On the banks of the James River, Virginia, January 1809." A twelve-line poem extoling the virtues of the "country seat of Mr. C. Harrison," and presumed to have been left as a gift for Wilson's host. One page, 199 x 198mm. (light toning at margins). * Autograph manuscript, n.p., n.d. apparently notes regarding the marine birds reported in Cook's Voyages. One page, 120 x 198mm (moderately toned). * Drawing, likely depicting Wilson's Plover (as shown in American Ornithology, vol. 9, plate 73), pen-and-ink and watercolor, 130 x 153 mm (top edge irregularly trimmed), pencil inscription "drawn by A. Wilson" at bottom. * Drawing of an unknown marine bird, pen-and-ink and watercolor, 130 x 153 mm (small hole in blank portion) pencil inscription "A. Wilson" at bottom. * Drawing of six birds, a preliminary sketch (published in American Ornithology, vol. 4, plate 29), pen-and-ink and watercolor, 207 x 130 mm, light foxing. – Drawing of a nesting bird, pen-and-ink and watercolor, 80 x 132 mm, pencil inscription at bottom "A. Wilson" * Drawing of the heads of two birds, pen-and-ink over pencil, 231 x 140 mm. * Drawing of an unidentified bird, pencil, 187 x 425 mm. (irregular margins), pencil inscription at bottom "A. Wilson".
[With:] ORD, George (1781-1866). Autograph letter signed ("George Ord") to Matthew Barr, Philadelphia, 9 May 1858. Four pages, bifolium, 159 x 97mm. The noted zoologist, who accompanied Wilson on two of his collecting trips in 1812 and 1813, inquires on a project to erect a monument to Wilson, "whom I honoured as a friend and loved as a brother." Provenance: Christie's New York, 29 October 1993, lot 55. [And:] ORD, George. Sketch of the Life of Alexander Wilson. Philadelphia: Harrison Hall, 1828. Presentation copy. 19th century half roan (spine chipped). Provenance: Library of the Pennsylvania Hospital (manuscript presentation inscription, bookplate).
Together, 12 pieces.
Brought to you by
Christina Geiger
Head of Department