READ GEORGE Autograph Letter Signed GeoRead to wife Gertrude

Sale 2276 - Lot 100

Price Realized: $ 3,120

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Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000

A SIGNER LEARNS OF HIS BROTHER'S MURDER READ, GEORGE. Autograph Letter Signed, "Geo:Read," to wife Gertrude ("Getty"), concerning the murder of his brother in Cuba. 1 page, 8vo, with integral address leaf; 2 short closed tears in text area, moderate foxing, paper clip stain in upper margin, lacking bottom 1 1/2 inches of address leaf, early provenance note on address leaf. Dover [DE], "Wednesday 1/2 after 2 o'clock" [1763]

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Read was Delaware's attorney general when he wrote this distressed letter to his wife: "I have the misfortune to learn that I have lost my bro. Will at the Havanna. His life was taken by some Spanish ruffians who it is thought called upon him one evening under pretence of buying wines and after to rob him. They not only murder'd him, but also one Mr. Boyd, a young gentleman who held a part of the house with him."
Provenance: Read's granddaughter Anastasia Gertrude Pearce, per 1833 presentation note; Henkels David M. Newbold sale, 9 October 1928, lot 132; William D. Morley sale, 21 November 1950, lot 70.