Monday, September 17, 2012

RR Auction William Jennings Bryan Letters


Collection of 10 letters, seven ALSs and three TLSs, many with handwritten notations, ranging in date from May 28, 1903, to May 4, 1908, all to Willis E. Vincent. A very interesting look into one of Bryan's less-discussed avocations: livestock breeding and animal husbandry. In particular, the correspondence revolves around the sale of a Holstein calf Bryan sold to Vincent in the summer of 1903. The $50 sale hit a snag when Bryan mistakenly promised would yield "twenty-one gallons in a day" (May 28, 1903), when he meant to say quarts. In an apologetic letter (September 23, 1900) he conceded, "If I said gallons instead of quarts, it was an unintentional error, as must have been apparent to you, because 48 quarts a day is far beyond the best record, and 84 quarts a day would of course be fabulous." Not wanting any scandal, Bryan offered, "If you were misled by having the word gallons written where it should have been written quarts, you can return the calf and I will refund the $50." The relationship appears to have survived the mishap and the pair continued to correspond, with Vincent making several more purchases and trades with Bryan. In overall very good condition. RRAuction COA.

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