- GUSTAVO MONTOYA ORIGINAL PAINTING ON
GUSTAVO MONTOYA ORIGINAL PAINTING ON CANVASGUSTAVO MONTOYA "boy and girl in white" original and Authentic oil painting on canvas. Signed to lower right, Measures 24" height by 20" width (Painting on stretcher). Overall measurements including frame 29"height by 25 1/2" width. ARTIST BIO: Gustavo Montoya (July 9, 1905 – July 12, 2003) was a Mexican artistconsidered to be a late adherent to the Mexican School of Painting, most often associated with Mexican muralism. He was born in Mexico City, from a family associated with the Porfirio Díaz regime and who had tohide during part of the Mexican Revolution. He attended the Academy of San Carlos despite his father's objections. He later met and married artist Cordelia Urueta, with whom he lived in Paris, developing his artistictalents. He was not heavily involved in Mexico's artistic circles but was a founding member of the Liga de Escritores y Artistas Revolucionarios and the Salón de la Plástica Mexicana. His best-selling work was that of
Condition:
All lots are sold as is and where is. Elite Auctioneers, LLC provides condition reports upon request to aide in your bidding decision. No statement regarding age, condition, kind, value, or quality of a lot, whether made orally at the auction or at any other time, or in writing in this catalog or elsewhere, shall be construed to be an express or implied warranty, representation, or assumption of liability. All sales are final, Elite Auctioneers, LLC does not give refunds based on condition. Elite Auctioneers, LLC does not perform any shipping or packing services. We do have a list of suggested shippers who gladly provide quotes prior to your bidding. Please visit our webpage for a list of recommended shippers.
- BRUNO ZACH (AUSTRIAN 1891-1945) A PATINATED
BRUNO ZACH (AUSTRIAN 1891-1945) A PATINATED BRONZE FIGU...BRUNO ZACH (Austrian 1891-1945) A PATINATED BRONZE FIGURAL TABLE LAMP, "Lady with Barking Dog and Mischievous Monkey," circa 1920, modeled as a scantily clad maiden seated on a cushioned stool, while clutching her pet dog on her shoulder as it barks at a mischievous monkey teasing the pet dog with a mirror while climbing from the safety of an Ionic column, raised on an oval black marble base, stamped on underside of stool, "AUSTRIA," incised on underside of marble base "AUSTRIA." NOTE: A virtually identical bronze sculpture was sold Christie's, South Kensington, 22 November 2011, lot 380 for $8,809. Bruno Zach an accomplished sculptor, was born in Schitomir, Ukraine, in May 1891, and later emigrated to Vienna, where he is recorded as studying at the Vienna Academy under the well known sculptors Hans Bitterlich (1860-1949) and Joseph Mullner (1879-1968). Zach is known to have worked with a number of Viennese foundries, sculpting figurative works in a variety of styles such as Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Western, Sporting, Orientaliste, among others. His oeuvre would be considered decorative were it not for his success in interpreting eroticism in subtle yet perceivable ways. This was at a time of increased popularity for small figural works, hence the parallel increase of foundries in Vienna, including "Vienna Bronze." Another current of influence at the time was the groundbreaking observations on sexuality by Dr. Freud. Zach's often mere suggestion of an erotic fetish recognizes these without being too objectionable and can be found in one of his most successful works, "The Riding Crop." Interestingly, he also signed some works with a pseudonym "Tuch," "Prof Tuch," and "K. Salat". Bruno Zach died in Vienna February 6,1945. His popularity has remained with us and is evident today by the sale of his sculptures throughout the world. Height: 22"
- JOHN PIPER (BRITISH/AMERICAN, 1903-1992)John
JOHN PIPER (BRITISH/AMERICAN, 1903-1992)John Piper
British/American (Illinois), 1903-1992
Eye and Camera: Blue to Yellow , 1967
Screenprint, signed lower right, edition 32/70
Four figures arranged in a pop-art fashion, set behind glass and framed.
Due to his father's objections, John Piper didn't pursue a career in art until his father's death in 1927. He began to garner recognition as an abstract artist in the 1930s, before spurning the style for naturalism, architecture and landscapes. In World War II he was commissioned by the War Artists Advisory Committee for a series illustrating the devastating effects of the war. This work, from the Eye and Camera series, is likely one of the last true abstract works by Piper before his focus shifted to naturalism.
Plate: 19 1/4 x 26 3/4 in. (48.9 x 67.9 cm.), frame: 23 3/4 x 31 1/2 in. (60.3 x 80 cm.)
Ex Iowa Wesleyan University collection
Condition:
Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is an opinion, and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Reference to condition written, oral or within a condition report shall not be regarded as a full account of condition and may not include all defects, alterations, or restorations. Absence of a condition report does not imply a lot is flawless or lacking imperfections or damage. Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. Returns shall not be accepted on the basis of condition.
- GLENN WALKER. "IN THE ROOM," OIL (American,
GLENN WALKER. "IN THE ROOM," OIL (American, 1927-1988). Oil on board, from the controversial 1955 Peale Museum Exhibition, "Life in Baltimore," painting is the piece censored and pulled from exhibit by then mayor, John D' Alesandro, Jr., who labeled the piece "obscene and morally objectionable," signed "G. Walker" lr, sight size: 19 1/2 x 45 1/2 in., framed.
- CHRISTOPHER LEE CLARK, AMERICAN / FLORIDA
CHRISTOPHER LEE CLARK, AMERICAN / FLORIDA (B.1903), ART DECO NUDE FEMALE PORTRAIT, 1931, OIL ON CANVAS, 29 3/4"H X 42 3/4"W (SIGHT), 35 3/4"H X 48 3/4"W (FRAME)Christopher Lee Clark, American / Florida, (b.1903) Art Deco Nude Female Portrait, 1931, oil on canvas Signed and dated lower middle. Condition: There are no repairs to the verso of canvas and it's fabric is solid and unsoiled. On inspection, there are some small inpainted locations, all are across the top 1/4 and involve cover to minor scuffs: very top left corner (a visible crease is present but nicely covered with inpaint, 2 small (1" or less) spots to top right of background color. None of the inpaint is visually objectionable and not detected from the back,we consider this work to be in very good condition. The artist's work is held in the permanent collection of the Federick R. Weisman Museum in Minneapolis, MN. oil on canvas Dimensions: 29 3/4"H x 42 3/4"W (sight), 35 3/4"H x 48 3/4"W (frame)
- JOSEPH STEFANO: "PSYCHO" SCREENPLAYinscribed
JOSEPH STEFANO: "PSYCHO" SCREENPLAYinscribed and dated "Revised / November 10, 1959"; numbered in pencil "27", annotated "Prod. #9401" and embossed "Joseph Stefano"; bound in black leather; also included in the volume are a copy of a letter dated Nov. 24, 1959, to Mr. Hitchcock from Luigi (K?)uraschi regarding the Production Code's objections to parts of the script, a copy of the Revue Studios shooting schedule, and a five-page script for the trailer. 11 1/2 x 9 inches Condition:
- CHARLES BRAGG, AMERICAN 1931-2017, OBJECTION
CHARLES BRAGG, AMERICAN 1931-2017, OBJECTION OVERRULEDCharles Bragg, American, 1931-2017 Objection Overruled, patinated bronze 1989; signed, dated, and numbered 272/275, published by Art Renaissance patinated bronze Dimensions: 7 1/2 x 4 x 6 in. (19.1 x 10.2 x 15.2 cm.) Provenance: Social satire artist Charles Bragg (b.1931) used humor and his own political opinions to create thought-provoking paintings. Bragg studied at New York's High School of Music and Art. The humor in his artwork is attributed to his years of doing stand-up comedy before becoming an artist. Charles Bragg's prints and portraiture bring the undesirable qualities of American society to life; these commentary pieces on human vices are what brought his success as an artist.Charles Bragg's sculptures depicted funny, comic-strip-type characters. These sculptures were often inspired by musicians, mythical creatures, and government figures. Artist Charles Bragg's lithograph, The Screen Goddess, was displayed in the opening scene of the 1992 movie The Player. Browse other exceptional lithograph prints for sale online to find the next dazzling piece of artwork to add to your collection. Condition:
- MARK TWAIN "LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI,"
MARK TWAIN "LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI," 1ST EDITION Mark Twain (American, 1835-1910), "Life on the Mississippi" James R. Osgood & Company, Boston, 1883, first edition, first state, bound in the original pictorial brown cloth, with the illustration of Twain's head in flames on page 441, quickly removed on later printings due to the objection of his wife, Olivia Clemens, and with the illustration of the St. Louis Hotel on page 443. 9" H x 6.25" W x 2" D.
- AN UNEXPURGATED COPY OF "LENNON AT SEA"
AN UNEXPURGATED COPY OF "LENNON AT SEA" A GRAPHIC NOVEL BY THOM DONOVAN, 2013 RARE BEATLES RELATED MATERIAL The original version of Donovan's softcover book recording a little known sailing adventure with John Lennon that year, with a small issue of 500 before halted by objections from Yoko Ono over photographic content, which she claimed. Donovan re-released the next year with those photos removed, 8 1/4" x 10 3/4", 58 pages. Mint condition.
- AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED LETTER GOVERNOR JOHN
AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED LETTER GOVERNOR JOHN JAY FROM HIS FARM IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY NEW YORK DATED JULY 20 1797 Jay was a founding father diplomat abolitionist the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and was Governor of New York at the time this letter was written a letter all in his hand to Major Sam Lyons dated New York July 20 1797 -''Dear Sir I have rec. your's of the 3rd of this month together with the cow-she arrived in good condition. Both the other cows are now at Rye and ready to be delivered to your order. Whatever expense you may be at in sending and fetching cows for my use must be charged to my account. The time when you expected an answer is passed-and I suppose it will not be long before I hear further from you about that matter. I approve of your buying another pair of oxen even if you should not fatten the pair you mention; for where much work is to be done it is best to have strong teams. If you think it best I have no objections to the sour crout mare being broke to the saddle and collar. Another year she will be able to do a good deal of work- considering her breed by the dam I suppose she would be the more gentle and useful for being broke young. In case we get well foward with fences this year I have thoughts of preparing materials for your house next Spring- but ofthis we shall have an opportunity of conversing bfore that time- Has Johnny disp...d of the Rye? I have not heard from him since I left Bedford. I am dear sir your most obedient servant John Jay'' - h: 9 15/16 x w: 7 15/16 in.
- 2 vols. (American 19th-Century Spiritualism):
2 vols. (American 19th-Century Spiritualism): Adams, John S. Answers to Seventeen Objections Against Spiritual Intercourse. New York: Fowlers and Wells, 1853. 1st ed. 12mo, orig. printed wrappers; browned & dampstained. Some internal dampstaining. * Davis, Andrew Jackson. The Magic Staff; An Autobiography. New York: J.S. Brown, 1857. 1st ed. 12mo, orig. brown cloth, gilt-lettered & pictorial spine; joints & spine ends slightly frayed, corners bumped, other light to moderate wear. With 2 engraved portraits (incl. frontis.), full-page wood-engraved illus. Scattered light to moderate spotting.
- Letters Between the Sturges Brothers
Letters Between the Sturges Brothers Most Antebellum Including J.R. Sturges 3rd GA Infantry KIA These 58 letters encompass a "snapshot" of antebellum life in the South.Samuel Sturges (1774-1831) was born in Fairfield Co. CT. He arrived in Georgia shortly after the Revolutionary war although the exact date is uncertain. They were in Georgia by 1801 and in Waynesborough (now Waynesboro) by 1804. In May of 1804 he married Rachel Lowery (1786-1837). Samuel became one of the leaders of the community one of five members of the Board of Town Incorporators and was elected in 1813 as one of the first five commissioners. He held other town positions through his lifetime there.Samuel and Rachel had three children: Jane Robinson (1809-1817) William Urquhart (1816-1884) and John Reynolds (1827-1862). In the 1830 Census Samuel lists 10 slaves. William seems to have spent most of his career as a hotel keeper although he occasionally became something of a merchant picking up items for townspeople when he or his agents went to New York for supplies. Samuel died in 1831 when his youngest son was only three. Rachel followed but six years later.About this time the U.S. government was moving native peoples off their lands and the Cherokee had prime farm land in Georgia. The tribe appealed to the Supreme Court and won but President Andrew Jackson had the U.S. Army move them off their land anyway in what would be known as the "Trail of Tears". The Cherokee Land Lottery of 1832 indicates that the orphans of Samuel Sturges received lottery number 115 for the 8th District 1st section and Rachel (Rachael) received 143 for the 6th District 3rd Section. William would have been an adult at the time of Rachel's death so presumably he continued raising his younger brother John and the brothers remained close for life. William appears in the mid-century censuses as a hotel keeper but may have been a merchant earlier (implied in some of his letters).By 1844 John had made his way "up east." In the first letter in the collection William writes to John [4 Sept. 1844] in Princeton NJ passing along brotherly advice particularly about health issues: I am glad you took the step you did by entering on your studies soon after your arrival and congratulate yourself & John Shewmaker upon your success in entering the Sophomore class. I trust neither of you will flag yet I would advise that you keep an eye on your health. In that climate the constitution is easily undermined by leading too sedentary a life. Provide yourself with some means of bodily exercise perform some daily labour or take pedestrian exercise. Exercise with the "dumb bells" will tend to expand the chest and develop the muscles of the arms. These may seem of no importance now and may make seemingly no very great improvement in your feelings while you continue the use. They may be used as preventions. He also suggests that the young men enlist an agent to cash checks sent up to them and to hold any monies which were not immediately needed.On occasion William discusses politics in his letters. November of 1844 is one of those occasions being a presidential election year. (reconstructed letters in brackets.) The news political of this State is that sh[e] has cast her vote for Mr. Polk for president. The lat[e] [re]turns indicate that Mr. Polk will be our next President Much [to] the surprise of all politicians. I must feel as an American citizen should feel no little mortification at the result of this [con]test. I do heartily rejoice however that it is over. We have been from one end of this union to the other in a perfect stew and as the Whig "Pot" has boiled over and spilt all the fat in the fire (excuse this sentence) & we cannot make amends I trust we will have a little quiet & a little more trade and I truly hope a good deal more good feeling from our neighbors to another. The people will now return to their uniform Christian feelings. He goes on to note that the local medical college has resumed with an overflow class of 125 students and describes the amusements in town - the theater circus a ventriloquist / magician.William seems to have gone "all out" into Whig politics. The party formed largely in opposition to Jacksonian policies. It advocated investment in roads and railroads to tie the country together economically. Henry Clay one of the better known leaders of the party advocated returning proceeds from the sale of public lands to the states to make these improvements. This would certainly have been an attractive position for these members of the "merchant class " increasing the availability and decreasing the price of goods. At one point William writes referring to the folks in Burke and Waynesboro: Those people are to be envied somewhat for their quiet (seeming) happiness. But truly is a life of that kind to be objected to because of the excess of doing naught that tends to the usefulness or benefits of the human family. They have no meetings or gatherings but for frivolous amusement. He goes on to say that Augusta is determined to turn itself into a manufacturing town but so far "all talk no action." [30 Jan. 1845] In October 1845 William notes that Georgia elected a Whig governor [George Crawford] and would likely elect a Whig senator.Other Whig party leaders included William Henry Harrison and Daniel Webster. After Harrison's death John Tyler became president and his stand on states' rights was even stronger than most particularly attractive to the South as abolition issues were heating up. In 1847 Webster made a trip to this small southern town which William describes in his letter of 29 May: The very distinguished Mr. Webster of Massachusetts has been among us for some time near a week. He being detained on a/c [account] of health. He received from men of all parties the most marked attention and I hope will return well impressed with Southern hospitality and the better understanding our institutions particularly that of slavery. He says he will go home and tell his people what pleasure he derived from this time. He spent one day and night in Waynesboro when all the village visited him except Mr. Douglass.William seems to be a bit mistrusting of politicians generally. In a postscript to his letter of 20 Feby. 1845: A Duel which took place on the morning of the 20th (yesterday) terminated in the death of one of the combatants. They were double Brothers-in-Law and citizens of So. Ca. They fought at a distance of ten paces with muskets. From report there is another hostile party making preliminaries now in the city. They are to fire at 10 feet distant with pistols. This party are men who have been in high confidence in State Offices. It does not speak well of their morals without which no man can be safely trusted or truly great.By late in 1845 John and his friend decided that they did not really like Princeton although specific reasons are not indicated. They seem to have decided on Yale. In December 1845 William advises his brother: After conversation with John T. Shoemaker who had just reached here I have reconsidered your proposition to leave Princeton and now give my consent that you do so if you wish; the only advice I can give you is that you make the best possible use of your time while in any college.. I hope you will get into as few quarrels with the abolitionists in and about New Haven as possible for you must know that this is the hotbed of abolitionism and constant subject for conversation even among the old maids of which that place abounds in confused numbers. And abolition isn't the only issue to be considered [6 Jan. 1846]: I cannot know myself how or why either of the institutions may be the better for your education and would have preferred your graduating at Princeton only because it is know[n] as a "Southern institution "[emph. added] and I had presumed that you were as pleasantly located there as at any place except home.There was also a family connection to the area and it appears that John was curious about the family history and that may have attracted him to New Haven. William writes [18 Jany. 1846]: I am unable to give you as yet any clue to any members of our family. As to our Fathers family I can only say that within the state of Connecticut there must still some reside and very probably many near New Haven. Our Father was I think a native of Fairfield and presume that there was none of his immediate progenitors (?) living at or about the time of his death. I know only of one Brother to him and he died in this place now many years since.. [Nathaniel Sturges Sr. died in Waynesboro 7 Nov. 1826] We have no relations in the north but upon the Father's side and our Mothers being now nearly extinct.. However a number of times William emphasizes that John's education is more dependent on his efforts than on the school he chooses [4 Jany. 1846]: I have no objections to the change [of schools] and leave it entirely to your own discretion to stop at either of the institutions. .There is I think little depending on the institution you may pursue your collegiate course in or at least much less than upon your own industry and pursuit after knowledge. [18 Jany. 1846] I cannot deem it necessary or even prudent to lay out any path for your future course through life.. I desire you if it suits you to study Law. He is for any education that can be obtained - for anyone. It appeared that John's friend John Shewmaker could no longer afford to live in the East and continue in college. [8 Nov. 1845] If I were John I would exact the sum sufficient from my guardian to take me [through the] course - It might infringe a little upon my estate but the "value recd." would doubly compensate for the expenditure so made.William makes another interesting recommendation to his brother. [18 Jany. 1846] I will propose one thing which in after I think you will not repent(?) of following and this is that you look about when you return home for a good wife with a comfortable little fortune not however for her fortune alone. Earlier he warned of marrying in haste. He notes that there are six weddings in the next few weeks and hopes those who "act in haste" may not have cause "to repent at leisure" [8 Nov. 1845]. He also relates the story of a friend Nancy W. who became engaged to a gentleman she knew only a short time [20 Octr. 1845]. Her guardian persuaded her to wait a bit to marry. Two days later the man was engaged to her sister according to William proving the adage "one of the name was as good as the same." William does however suggest the man would have made a good husband. He had been twice widowed and had 3 children including an infant of only three months probably explaining his "rush to the altar."Along with the "states' rights" issues of the Whig party abolition was rearing its head as William's comment about New Haven indicates: A rumour is at present being circulated from Burke that Saml. Russell has run off with some several Negroes the property of different person near Waynesboro. Sam has very mysteriously disappeared from Burke and since the Christmas Holiday the negroes have not been heard of and further proof of his guilt by the testimony of a gentleman returning from the ??? part of this state that he saw him on board of some Steam Boat bound westward. The supposition is that he has [illeg.] his course for Texas via New Orleans and steps have been taken to follow him. We can only hope that justice may reach the offenders of the Law so speedily as to be to others a good warning . A letter from his niece Abby indicates the general attitude of this family toward "the help." She went to Savannah for a visit and [11 Feb. 1846]: On my way home I stopped at Waynesboro for three or four hours. While there I went round to see Cousin Betsy Douglas whom I found quite well. .I saw all the servants they were all quite well and want to see you very much indeed. Whenever they see me the first question is when did you hear from Mas. John and how is he. You know they are all to be sold next month. Uncle William is going to try and buy them all in as he hates to have them separated. Old Aunt Beckey hated it very much she can scarcely speak of it without tears coming into her eyes. A letter from William a month or so later indicates that he did just that. [9 March 1846] I remained in the village [Waynesboro] until after the sale which resulted in my purchasing all the negroes except little Becky who Mr. Dowse bot [bought] for Abby & Mary Ann and her daughters who was bot by Sid Dowse as was previously agreed upon. The servants are all now well satisfied and hope not to be harassed by the fear of being sold again soon. For the present they will all remain in Waynesboro but I presume soon to find a good situation for Lizzy here. Eliza will remain with Dr. Mst. and Celia will remain as a kind of nurse to Old Aunt Becky. In nearly every letter the servants send their regards and William reports their health status as well as that of the family.Health was a major concern especially in Georgia summers. The end of May brought the end of the school term and the end of the social season especially as that segment of the population would generally leave for the worst of the summer. In May 1845 William wrote: I . commend your contemplated tour on foot. I cannot advise however to make the tour if you must expose yourself to the sun through the month of July. Having been shut up in coledge [sic] regulation for many months previous I should think you are but ill prepared to much exposure to the sun and the consequent fatigue of such an undertaking. . I would advise.a trip as a manner of recreating the mind and seeing something of the many places of renown of which our glorious land abounds. He notes there was a party for a newly married couple This party winds up the gayiety of the village at least for this season. Many of those who move from Burke left the same week for their summer residences and the village is now left with its usual number of "Summer inhabitants " and entirely rid of its young folks. .I am sorry to say that old Aunt Becky's health is fast declining though she yet continues to go about. The rest of our servants are all well. Apparently William followed other residents of Burke County and went to Madison Springs: I am at quite a delightfull place being one of the fashionable resorts for the gay and fashionable of this State & SoCa. I have been drinking freely of the medicinal water here and find from it a great benefit induced thus far. I feel my strength much recovered & can see a decided improvement in fullness of person. After a period he writes John again apologizing that he has not written sooner but he did not want to be thought unsociable. [8 Sept. 1845] I have recovered in a very considerable degree the strength that a debility of two summers had rid me of. I consider the water here efficacious & the air fine and bracing but the constant exercise the spirits are compelled to take in part with the company goes a greater ways in the restoration of many visitors than anything else. .I think I have come in for my share of the good benefits of very agreeable society and do offer up my thanks for the advantage enjoyed. Indicates (at end of the letter) that it has been a dry year: So far as I can learn the health of that part of Georgia considered sickly in summer is better than I've known and the people have nothing to complain of but the shortness of the crop. They will make a sufficiency of provisions and a ? crop of cotton. This will for those who are out of debt but those - and they are many - who presumed to pay old debts from the proceeds of this crop must be disappointed. In the counties of the state from this to the Tennessee line the crop of provisions promises to be so short that many have made arrangement to leave the country and seek some place where corn is plenty. There has been quite a flood of emigrants from Carolina to Tennessee in search of cheap provisions. I am glad to know that they will find it quite low there. Considerable distress must be experienced among the poor of some sections as they have neither provisions or the means to buy them. Yet we feel assured that there will be no starving as the sympathies of the more independent class will move them to the relief of the needy. Even into October he notes the relative health of the area during the summer but with the dry weather comes "insufferable heat."As winter came around however he recommended to John that he find a doctor up in New Haven: I would advise that you get a good Medical person to vaccinate you as the Small Pox seems to be traveling the "country all over" - and you are by necessity associated with persons from every part of the land. Of course smallpox vaccinations were used even by George Washington during the Revolutionary War and William understood exposure risk to the disease in those urban population centers. Less clear seems to be their understanding of other "tropical diseases." In 1848 [3 July] he writes to Johns that there is much sickness in Augusta. Germans were working on a canal living in filthy conditions and the doctor was reporting cases of yellow fever. We now know that neither "Germans" nor "filthy conditions" (per se) would have been responsible for this outbreak - but more likely the canal itself since this would have been an excellent breeding ground for the mosquitoes that carry this disease (although that knowledge did not come until construction of the Panama Canal though suspected somewhat earlier).Besides politics slavery and other moral issues late in John's college career William addresses the other "third rail." You must excuse me my dear Brother that I have never mentioned the subject of Religion when writing to you. . That I know a just part is for us to perform which upon this earth and that we will have to account for all the deeds done in the body to a just God is sufficient to warn me always to a proper course through life. He goes on to say that he has not joined a church because he finds many of the "code of laws governing them" impossible for mere mortals to follow and many of them are "petty and unnecessary." However a couple years earlier when niece Abby joined the Presbyterian church William commented [28 April 1845] I consider the garb of Religion gives peculiar beauty to the female (young particularly) character.Another view of the Southern social scene comes from Abby's letters. Abby married 20 May 1846 and several letters from William deal with John's preparations to return home for both the wedding and summer break. In the autumn Abby writes that she and her new husband left Bath shortly after John did (presumably to return to school) and they went to the seaboard then on to Mr. Jones' family home. Although worried about how she would be received by his family she was received warmly as a member of the family. She tells her cousin [30 Sept. 1846]: ...for nothing is more pleasant than to be beloved particularly in the circle in which we are to move and I sincerely trust that hereafter my actions will not be such as to forfeit the confidence and esteem of these kind friends.You can readily perceive my dear Uncle that my situation at first upon arriving at the home of my husband was peculiarly delicate and embarrassing. A few weeks had wrought a strange and sudden revolution in my existence. A young girl surrounded by her family circle engrossed with maidenly occupation and concerned only with the passing events of the home was transformed into the wife the home of her childhood forsaken and a new train of duties attendant upon this change opened to her view. This responsibility for a time was felt very acutely but the cordial reception of which I have spoken of before in a short time banished these feelings and I felt not only reconciled to but delighted with my future prospects. Every member of the family welcomed me to their midst and I already feel identified with them in every particular. Later she adds: I have been busily employed preparing for housekeeping which I hope to commence about the last of November. I look forward to the time with a great deal of pleasure and yet with fear to [sic] for I have so little experience in the mysteries of housekeeping. I dare say I will do many things that is wrong yet all had to learn by experience .I suppose that I will have to do the same. She then suggests that she will have William or someone pick up items for her that are cheaper in the North than at home another reality of Southern life even antebellum.John graduated from Yale in 1847 but seems to have remained in the north for a bit. There is one letter from William addressed to John in New Haven with a postal stamp for July 1848. William for his part married Georgia Ann Ward (1826 - 1905) on 10 Aug. By 1850 John had returned to Georgia where the 1850 census shows him as a 22-year-old schoolteacher living with William plus just over a dozen single men two couples and a widow with two daughters in the hotel/boarding house. John seems to have also been studying law in Augusta at the same time. In 1852 John became County Surveyor for Burke County and there are about 20 letters from the 1850s relating to this role. One of the early ones is to another surveyor asking what they charge for surveying etc. apparently trying to determine his rates in this new occupation. Another letter relates to measurements of the variation in magnetic deviation from true north. A few of the requests become rather insistent: I am getting in a hurry about that surveying and I wish you to come over tonight - so that you can make an early start as I wish you to do some surveying in different places.Most of the letters contain requests for surveys or documents from earlier surveys but one contains political opinions along with a request for paperwork on a property. Sam P. Davis [9 July 1852] suggests that political excitement is waning and only a 3rd candidate is likely to get people interested again. He notes that if the election is only between the present candidates he would vote for Pierce since "Pierce can show a clean hand on the n---er question [his underline]. This is more than can be said of Scott." The question of slavery was foremost in the minds of local "movers and shakers." Scott had come out as anti-slavery (a problem for southern voters) in spite of the Whig pro-slavery platform (a problem for northern voters). Daniel Webster rejected by his Whig party as their candidate ran as a Union Party (basically Southern Whigs) candidate and despite the fact that he died before the election still received several thousand Georgia votes!In 1860 John was still living in William's hotel/boarding house along with 15 men many of whom were also law students or lawyers and an older woman and her adult son. He never seems to have found his "good wife with a comfortable little fortune" suggested by brother William but he did seem to be building his own home. After the November election South Carolina seceded and several other states called their own conventions. Georgia's election of delegates to the convention that would determine her course occurred on the second day of the new year. These delegates then convened in Milledgeville on the 16th to begin debating the issue. By the 19th George Crawford convention president and former Whig governor declared Georgia officially seceded from the United States. Within two more weeks the infant Confederate States of America formed and two months later the offspring nation was at war with her northern parent. The last six letters are war da Condition: Variable as expected. Only one with insect/rodent damage extensive enough for loss of text.