Pinkerton (1848–1907) and his older brother William began their careers as detectives when their father Allan, was the head of General George McClellan’s secret service. During the Civil War, Robert served as a spy. When their father died in 1884, Robert became General Superintendant, Eastern Division, of Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency. TLS signed “Robt. A. Pinkerton,” one lightweight page, 7.5 x 11, Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency letterhead, July 13, 1886. Letter to “Messrs Work & McNamee.” on Wall Street. In full: “Our operative A.A.E. reports as follows relative to A.A. Kingsland: Monday, July 12, 1886. ‘Acting under instructions received I left the Agency at 12.45 p.m. and went to No 55 Broad street, where I learned that Mr Albert A. Kingsland very seldom comes there; that he had not been there [in] six months and did not think he had been in the city in that time; that he was now in Seabright N.J. and would probably not be back this summer. I then withdrew.’” Small separation to one of the horizontal folds, punch hole affecting a single word of text, toning to bottom, and a bit of light soiling, otherwise fine condition. Albert A. Kingsland’s uncle was Ambrose C. Kingsland (1804–1878), Whig Mayor of New York City from 1851–1853. RRAuction COA.
