Rare autograph notes (not signed), in pencil, at the bottom of an ALS to Brady from photographer C. D. Fredricks, one lightly-lined page, 8 x 10, dated April 2, 1866. Fredricks writes to Brady, “Friend Brady, the papers with notices came duly to hand and I hope you will succeed in disposing if you think it better so to do.—as Cook [his nephew Elijah L. Cook] & myself are not in accord respecting the date when I gave you the money—will you let me know by return mail on what day I gave you the last $200. which was returned thro’ Cook whilst I was in Havana. Hoping you will bear in mind that I am poor & needy.” At the bottom of the page, Brady’s notes read, “Augt 16th You Pd last draft for money / I think $800 no Mem. / sent $200 to Cooke—sent $30 interest about middle of / Mch / sent $200 Dec 5th.” Underlining of words in purple ink most probably by Brady; Fredricks underlined “poor & needy.” Ink notation at the bottom in purple in unknown hand: “The above Account—in pencil—was made on receipt of this letter. B.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds, a couple of small fold separations, and some scattered light marginal toning.
Following his enormous success chronicling the Civil War, Mathew Brady faced a sudden drastic decline in business when the war came to a close; the country was ready to move on, and demand for his work disappeared. After a highly praised exhibition at the New York Historical Society’s gallery in 1866, he proposed that the directors buy the photos for a large sum to keep on permanent display. Receiving tremendous positive feedback, he believed his financial worries to be over—when the deal fell through shortly after, Brady was devastated. Forced to close his Washington gallery and declare bankruptcy, he borrowed over $7500 from whoever he could and saved it from being auctioned off, but never recovered from the financial losses. This highly desirable correspondence from well-known fellow photographer Charles D. Fredricks—emphasizing his own position as “poor & needy”—with the exceedingly rare handwritten notes from Brady, offers an incredible connection between two pioneers of American photography at a trying time in the industry. RR Auction COA.
