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Original unsigned sketch by famed inventor Samuel Morse, depicting the face of a bearded man wearing a cap, accomplished in graphite on an off-white 4 x 3.75 clipped sheet, which is adhered to a period 7.75 x 10.5 presentation sheet that is initialed and annotated by Benjamin Brown French, who writes: “Pencil sketch by Prof. S. F. B. Morse, on blank leaf of my portfolio in my presence, about 1848. B. B. F.” In fine condition, with a few small stains (and wrinkling to the sheet to which it is mounted). Accompanied by a custom clamshell presentation case and a supplementary sheet containing a handwritten statement from a relative of French: “My grandfather, B. B. French, was associated with [Morse] in organization of the first Telegraph Co. & building of 40 miles of telegraph between Washington & Baltimore in 1844. Morse & B.B.F. made the first insulator in my grandfather’s kitchen on East Capitol St.” Although Morse is best remembered for his work in telegraphy, he first rose to prominence as a portrait painter; his artistic talent is readily discerned with this impressive sketch.
Benjamin Brown French (1800–1870) was a politician, telegraph business leader, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Public Commissioner of Buildings in Washington, D.C. He was also involved in the burgeoning telegraph industry developed by his friend and business partner Samuel Morse.
