Beautifully penned ALS, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.5 x 7.25, April 14. Letter to his cousin. In part: “A body can’t get along without a heart, and I am ever so glad to hear yours is in working order again. That craving for autographs is an unhealthy symtom [sic] & may be part of your trouble—aye, possibly the cause—but with rigid self discipline I feel sure you can get the better of it in time. I think you can get Henry Ford’s if you buy one of his cars, & write and ask him what’s the matter with it. As to the Pope’s, I don’t know. He may not read nor write, & I fear he is very busy. I don’t know quite how you & I are related, for I have been exposed to family history so much that it is a kind of big noise to me, & wait patiently until it’s over. People seem to take great satisfaction in having ancestors, whereas the only interesting existence would be to have been found on a doorstep & never know who was responsible for you.” In fine condition. Parrish's distaste for the discussion of ancestry is quite unexpected, considering that he cared enough about his own lineage to change his given name of 'Frederick Parrish' to 'Maxfield,' in order to highlight the maiden name of his paternal grandmother. His family tree also proudly boasted his father Stephen, an accomplished artist as well, best known for his etchings. A choice letter with particularly interesting content from the influential illustrator. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$50.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
