American artist and inventor (1791–1872) whose development of the telegraph revolutionized communication—and indeed, society as a whole—and represented a crucial step toward such later innovations as the telephone. Boldly-penned ALS signed “Sam’l F. B. Morse,” one page at the top of a printed invitation, 5 x 5.75, December 22, 1870. Letter to painter William Bradford, declining his invitation to a private viewing of an exhibit entitled ‘Photographic Illustrations of the Arctic Regions taken on the Hays & Bradford Expedition of 1869.’ In part: “I regret that a previous engagement for the same day and hour prevents my personal attendance at your most interesting Exhibition. I must attend by proxy, through my children.” In fine condition, with a central horizontal fold, lightly trimmed edges, and trivial show-through from mounting remnants to reverse. Bradford traveled to the Arctic in 1869 with photographers John L. Dunmore and George Critcherson, and published an account of the trip, illustrated with photographs, in 1873—a book that today is worth over one-hundred thousand dollars. This would have been the first showing of the photographs, at a time when Arctic exploration had begun to capture the imagination of the American public. RR Auction COA.
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