ALS, five pages on two sheets, 4.5 x 7, White House letterhead, December 3, 1925. Letter to Calvin Coolidge’s business associate Darwin P. Kingsley. In part: “When you say that ‘portraits are more or less of a gamble’ you touch a responsive cord here. No one has succeeded in painting one of the President which fully satisfies satisfies me. I should not be so sad about it if he enjoyed the process more. We have discovered a man who paints portraits from a photograph. Mr. Stearns had him paint one of our Calvin which was so successful…As far as publicity goes, I think it would be better if we could keep the matter a ‘dark secret’ until we are ready to let the news ‘break’ but let us not be too sad if we are foiled.” Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Coolidge’s hand. In fine condition. RRAuction COA.
