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PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY
LEE, Robert E. AN ALBUM DEVOTED TO THE LIFE AND CAREER OF ROBERT E. LEE, compiled by his cousin, Bessie Lee Cooper, containing THREE AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED ("R. E. LEE"), 19 November 1866 - 24 January 1868; one carte-de-visite signed ("R. E. Lee"), along with 18 other photographs, cartes-de-visites or cabinet cards pertaining to the family and career of R. E. Lee; three autograph envelopes; and one clipped signature ("R. E. Lee"). 8vo (7 5/8 x 9¾ in.), 19 leaves in all; bound in vellum, covers tooled in gold leaf, spine gilt.
Details
LEE, Robert E. AN ALBUM DEVOTED TO THE LIFE AND CAREER OF ROBERT E. LEE, compiled by his cousin, Bessie Lee Cooper, containing THREE AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED ("R. E. LEE"), 19 November 1866 - 24 January 1868; one carte-de-visite signed ("R. E. Lee"), along with 18 other photographs, cartes-de-visites or cabinet cards pertaining to the family and career of R. E. Lee; three autograph envelopes; and one clipped signature ("R. E. Lee"). 8vo (7 5/8 x 9¾ in.), 19 leaves in all; bound in vellum, covers tooled in gold leaf, spine gilt.
In the first of the three autograph letters (19 Nov. 1866), written just a year and a half after Appomattox, Lee wishes his cousin well on her impending trip to Europe, and regrets that "there is no one abroad with whom I could take the liberty of giving letters of introduction." And in a revealing touch of patriotism he tells her that he "cannot help hoping that the most pleasing part of your visit will be your return to your own country." On 16 August 1867 he wishes her well on her wedding to Capt. Cooper. And on 24 January 1868 he looks forward to her visit to Lexington, and gives her directions on how best to travel.
The cdv signed by Lee shows the General in his retirement years, in a three-quarters profile. Mounted above the picture is a gold braid star, and below it a piece of military insignia, a strip of blue cloth with crossed, gold braided swords, set above the number 2. The album also includes cdv's of a youthful George and Martha Washington, Stonewall Jackson (and another of his tombstone), a photograph of Lee astride his horse, Traveler, and numerous cdv's depicting Civil War battlefield scenes.
In the first of the three autograph letters (19 Nov. 1866), written just a year and a half after Appomattox, Lee wishes his cousin well on her impending trip to Europe, and regrets that "there is no one abroad with whom I could take the liberty of giving letters of introduction." And in a revealing touch of patriotism he tells her that he "cannot help hoping that the most pleasing part of your visit will be your return to your own country." On 16 August 1867 he wishes her well on her wedding to Capt. Cooper. And on 24 January 1868 he looks forward to her visit to Lexington, and gives her directions on how best to travel.
The cdv signed by Lee shows the General in his retirement years, in a three-quarters profile. Mounted above the picture is a gold braid star, and below it a piece of military insignia, a strip of blue cloth with crossed, gold braided swords, set above the number 2. The album also includes cdv's of a youthful George and Martha Washington, Stonewall Jackson (and another of his tombstone), a photograph of Lee astride his horse, Traveler, and numerous cdv's depicting Civil War battlefield scenes.
Sale room notice
Please note that the letter from Lee's niece included in this lot, authenticate the military insignia contained in the album as genuine insignia from Lee's uniforms.