Herreshoff, Nathanael Greene

One-page autograph letter signed on personalized stationery [N. G. Herreshoff, Bristol, R.I.]

Bristol: August 19, 1937. 8vo, approx. 20 lines and 100 words, to "Brother Leahy" thanking him for the gift of Jeff Davis's log. Autobiographical Reminiscences of the Yachting Editor of the Providence Journal and Evening Bulletin which had been published earlier that same year. "I ... have days of 'ups & downs.' I want to thank you for the very artistically done-up package ... the Log of Arthur W. Davis - so called 'Jeff' - I don't know why. And cleverly illustrated by that Gale who has real talent ... With cooler weather I hope to be feeling better, and that you will drop in and have a little chat - that is so pleasant! Please give my kind regards to your father and mother..." Capt. Nat Herreshoff (1848-1938) was arguably the most successful yacht designer of the last part of the 19th century, and into the 20th. Among his many accomplishments were the successful designs of every America's Cup defender between 1893 and 1920. Herreshoff letters are rare. The last record we find of one coming on the market is 1915. Herreshoff died June 2nd the following year. "Brother Leahy" is Edward Lawrence Leahy, Jr. (1918-1944), son of U.S. Senator Edward Leahy and Fern Dixon Leahy, who was killed in the final days of World War II in a submarine in the North Pacific. Accompanied by: An undated letter from Mr. Herreshoff's secretary to Mrs. Leahy thanking her, her husband and son "Brother" for birthday flowers. Item #56727

Price: $950.00