April 2022 Auction Ends Thursday, April 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/28/2022
Frederic Bartholdi autograph letter signed, datelined Paris 7 December 1871 shortly after his return to France from his tour of the United States, where he conceived of the idea for the Statue of Liberty. Bartholdi writes in English - scarce as such, with wide-ranging and exceptional content including mention of Edouard Laboulaye. Addressed to ''Dear Sir'', identified as Mr. Butler from the content, Bartholdi writes in small part, ''...I heard with very great emotion on my arrival at Brest, the news of the awful misfortune which happened to Chicago [Great Chicago Fire]...Notwithstanding the sadness of the news that you give me...In such a great disaster, one can say that it is a happiness not to be personally afflicted...''
Bartholdi then discusses the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War: ''...On my arrival I found the situation of France rather better, an easy matter considering the state in which I left the country when I started...I found Alsace as I thought in a great state of suffering, in consequence of all the change brought in the lives of every one by our vulture conquerors. It is sad to see how much trouble and misfortune brings by their political ambition, can produce in the moral and material life of their people. Alsace is a very sad example of this trouble...''
Bartholdi then discusses French-American relations, in part, ''I read with very great interest, what you said about M. Coquerel. He is one of our most distinguished men; and I am happy to hear of the good reception he met with in your intelligent country. Your people require to know France better than they can do through the Empire Belle Hilene and the Grand Hotel; the present generation has too much forgotten the great heart of France and his true value. I hope always I say a country in which self-sacrifice, disinterestedness and honor are things held in the highest respect, is always a great nation, ever deserves sympathy and with all its misfortune cannot fall down. I hope because the heart is good, but I acknowledge that the mind is stupid, alas!...I should have been very glad to see [Coquerel] during my stay in America...F. Bartholdi''.
Bartholdi then pens a postscript mentioning Edouard Laboulaye, who inspired Bartholdi to visit the United States and construct a statue honoring the French-U.S. relationship: ''M. Laboulaye was very delighted to know the reception I met with at this friends, and sends them his best thanks.''
Four page letter on bifolium stationery measures 5.25'' x 8.375'', penned by Bartholdi in brown fountain pen. Separation starting at foldlines, and uniform toning, overall very good condition.
Frederic Bartholdi Autograph Letter Signed with Exceptional Content from 1871 in English -- Bartholdi References the Chicago Fire, the Franco-Prussian War and Relations Between the U.S. & France
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