Title: Autograph Letter Signed - 1865 Civil War Engraver of both Union And Confederate Postage Stamps Author: Jones, George L. Place: Greenwich, New York Publisher: Date: May 21, 1865 Description: 3pp. With original mailing envelope addressed to "Mr. Halpin, Engraver, 34 Liberty Street, New York. For Theodore Jones". Jones’ letter, scolding his “disheartened and dejected” 20 year-old son for “apathy and want of energy”, after being “unsuccessful in obtaining employment” in Pennsylvania or New York, ends with: “…Give my best respects to Mr. Halpin (I don't know his christened name) and your Uncle Alfred…” Young Jones’ New York host was engraver Frederick Halpin, a British immigrant who had been first employed in America by Jones’ uncle Alfred, another British-born engraver. Halpin then started his own business, illustrating books published by Harper; after the start of the Civil War, he designed the philatelically-famous "Black Jack" postage stamp, depicting Andrew Jackson in black ink. But then, in mid-War, he abruptly left New York to become partner in a Richmond, Virginia engraving firm which produced Confederate bank notes, bonds and postage stamps, including one with a likeness of Jefferson Davis. When business rivals complained that Halpin's Davis looked too much like Abraham Lincoln and the equipment of his firm was seized by the Confederate Government for "alleged inefficiency", he returned to New York before the end of the War. He later made an engraving from a life portrait of Lincoln which the President’s widow said brought tears to her eyes. How and when did Halpin so easily switch his political loyalties twice during the Civil War? This letter reveals that he was back in New York as early as March 1865, while the armies were still locked in combat, and raises the intriguing question of whether Halpin’s Confederate work was totally unknown in the North, or just quietly overlooked because of his artistic talents. Lot Amendments Condition: Envelope a bit yellowed; letter near fine. Item number: 235912
Title: Autograph Letter Signed - 1865 Civil War Engraver of both Union And Confederate Postage Stamps Author: Jones, George L. Place: Greenwich, New York Publisher: Date: May 21, 1865 Description: 3pp. With original mailing envelope addressed to "Mr. Halpin, Engraver, 34 Liberty Street, New York. For Theodore Jones". Jones’ letter, scolding his “disheartened and dejected” 20 year-old son for “apathy and want of energy”, after being “unsuccessful in obtaining employment” in Pennsylvania or New York, ends with: “…Give my best respects to Mr. Halpin (I don't know his christened name) and your Uncle Alfred…” Young Jones’ New York host was engraver Frederick Halpin, a British immigrant who had been first employed in America by Jones’ uncle Alfred, another British-born engraver. Halpin then started his own business, illustrating books published by Harper; after the start of the Civil War, he designed the philatelically-famous "Black Jack" postage stamp, depicting Andrew Jackson in black ink. But then, in mid-War, he abruptly left New York to become partner in a Richmond, Virginia engraving firm which produced Confederate bank notes, bonds and postage stamps, including one with a likeness of Jefferson Davis. When business rivals complained that Halpin's Davis looked too much like Abraham Lincoln and the equipment of his firm was seized by the Confederate Government for "alleged inefficiency", he returned to New York before the end of the War. He later made an engraving from a life portrait of Lincoln which the President’s widow said brought tears to her eyes. How and when did Halpin so easily switch his political loyalties twice during the Civil War? This letter reveals that he was back in New York as early as March 1865, while the armies were still locked in combat, and raises the intriguing question of whether Halpin’s Confederate work was totally unknown in the North, or just quietly overlooked because of his artistic talents. Lot Amendments Condition: Envelope a bit yellowed; letter near fine. Item number: 235912
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
