When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
FREDERICK HILL MESERVE (1865-1962) was a businessman and collector of photographs, including 200,000 known and unknown images of Abraham Lincoln.
One-page, 8 ½ x 11, ALS, on his personal stationary from 148 East 78th, New York 21, NY., Nov. 29, 1950 to a Carl Haverlin (1899-1985), a fellow Civil War enthusiast and founding member of the New York chapter of the Civil War Round Table, in the winter of 1950. With interesting sarcastic jab.
“I expect to be able to meet with you on December 6th and am looking forward with much pleasure to it.
“Faithfully yrs
“F.H. Meserve
“Carl Haverlin
“580 Fifth Ave.
“NY,”
“I notice you have the title ‘Dr’ in respect to many names on your list. Perhaps you will also use it in my name.”
In the early 1900s, Meserve acquired 10,000 original Matthew Brady negatives including seven Lincoln portraits. Meserve continued collecting Lincoln likenesses, as well as photos of Lincoln's contemporaries, over the next sixty years. He eventually amassed a collection of 200,000 pieces including some previously "lost" or unknown images of Lincoln. Meserve's collection was so esteemed for its completeness that he essentially became the custodian of "Lincoln's image."
Folds. One paperclip imprint top left. Very fine Meserve letter.
Everything we sell is guaranteed authentic forever to the original buyer. We also offer a 30-day return policy. If you discover a problem or are dissatisfied with an item, please contact us immediately. Our goal is to please every customer. We are pleased to be members of The Manuscript Society, Universal Autograph Collectors Club, The Ephemera Society, the Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers and the Preferred Autograph Dealers and sale Houses. [NAS 182]
ABOUT 
