Hiram Powers Autograph Letter ALS 1858 Florence,Daniel Webster statue lost @ Sea for Sale

Hiram Powers Autograph Letter ALS 1858 Florence,Daniel Webster statue lost @ Sea For Sale

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Hiram Powers Autograph Letter ALS 1858 Florence,Daniel Webster statue lost @ Sea:
$2,400

BOTH SIDES + contents are SHOWN in pics

Hiram Powers ALS ( Autograph Letter Signed )

A most fascinatingletter from America's pre-eminent sculptorof the 19th century. Powers worked from his studio in Florence (Firenze) Tuscany. His most notablework of art being a marble sculpture the 'Greek Slave'. This letter is addressed to Edward Everett of Boston MA, a (a former MA Governor and a former USA secretaryof state) who had commissioned a statue of friend and fellow legislator the late Daniel Webster (1782-1852, also a former US Secretary of State, and MA legislator)for public installation in Boston. This letter regards the loss at sea on November 22 1857 of the finished statue which was en-routefrom Tuscany to Boston.

Historical details:The sculpture of Daniel Webster was shipped out of the Tuscany Port of Livorno by Hiram Power's studio or agent in approx late October 1857. The sailing ship was the 'Oxford' which Powers refers to in the lettertwice in the first two paragraphs. The ship foundered in the Atlanticon November22 as it approachedthe USA destined for Boston with its crew abandoning ship and being recused by the ship 'Mary & Martha' . There is probably a detailed historical account somewhere of exactly where the ship was etc, and other particulars which has not been researched here.

Postal History Details:Transatlantic mail sent by USPS Mail Packet from London UK after the letter was privately forwarded to London from Florence for mailing. In the 3rd last paragraph, Powers refers to the haste required to see this letter off to reach the next English steamer.

Letter datelined: Florence Jan 23rd 1858

Private forwarding to London UK: GEO PEABODY & Co (Oval back stamp of private forwarding company) Most mail destined to the USA from the former Italian states was privately forwarded for mailing via the UK or other European capitals because of the absence of a reliable international mail service in the Italian States duringthis period.

Originating Postmark UK : FE 2 1858 (London) with accompanying 3 CENTS hand stamp representing a UK post office claim for UK inland mail against the 24 cents that The USA post office would be collecting from the recipient.

Originating UK rate:single rate letter. 1 shilling sterling or USA 24 cents as per UK -USA postal convention of 1849.

Boston Exchange office arrival postmark: BOSTON 20 FEB Am PKT 24 The '24' represents 24 cents US currency due on delivery by the recipient.

Ocean Voyage (steam ship): Packet 'Baltic' a USPS contract mail steamship

CONDITION NOTES:Original folded complete letter in VF condition) 1 page letter on 4 sides Laid paper 4 1/4" x 8 1/4" letter sheet. -Please see images front and back + contents .

The condition of theletter shouldshow clearly in the images. Please contact the seller if you have any question about the item's condition or align="center">Canadian Residents: HST/ GST ischarged extra:(13% HSTOntario; 15% in NB NS,NL, PE;5% GST in all other regions).

Shipping Cost Guarantee: Charges will be the actual postage cost or less..

Packed very carefully, well protected.

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