Elizabeth Kerper to Stan Henkels

Letter

-

Patrick Henry's Red Hill

Name/Title

Elizabeth Kerper to Stan Henkels

Entry/Object ID

04.13.22

Description

A handwritten letter on one page of stationery headed "Brookneal, Va." From Elizabeth Kerper to Stan V. Henkels. Dated January 8, 1911. Miss Kerper reminds Mr. Henkels that he quoted her a cost not above $100 for the expense of producing the sale catalog. The following object mentioned in this letter is in the Red Hill collection: - Catalog (76.5.2)

Transcription

Transcription

Brookneal, Va., January 8th 1911 Mr. Stan V. Henkels My Dear Sir: I wish to remind you of the conversation which I had with you last August as to the expense of cataloging the “Henry” collection. We discussed the matter very thoroughly, looking at various styles of catalogues. You calculated the amount of space the collection would take in the catalogue, the probable weight of the catalogue and the cost of mailing, the number of copies, and Mrs. Harrison’s share of these expenses, and you told me the cost to her would not be over one hundred dollars. I reported this at once to her as you were definite and positive in your statement to me. I am sure you will have no difficulty in remembering this conversation with me. Very truly yours (Miss) Elizabeth H. Kerper

Language

English

Dimensions

Width

6-1/2 in

Length

9-1/2 in

Provenance

Notes

This letter belongs to a collection of correspondence primarily from Lucy Gray Henry Harrison (1857–1944) to Stanislaus “Stan” Vincent Henkels (1854–1926) concerning a sale of Patrick Henry family heirlooms in 1910. Mrs. Harrison was Patrick Henry's great-granddaughter and the last Henry descendant to own and live at Red Hill. She grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and moved to Duluth, Minnesota, after marrying real estate millionaire Matthew Bland Harrison (1853–1892) in 1886. In 1905, she inherited Red Hill and moved onto the property, where she lived along with her sister, Elizabeth Watkins Henry Lyons (1855–1920), and her assistant, Elizabeth H. Kerper (1890–1964). Mrs. Harrison inherited many of the family heirlooms that had belonged to Patrick Henry and many of his papers. In 1910, on the advice of Philadelphia neurologist and writer Dr. Weir Mitchell (1829–1914), she contacted Stan V. Henkels about a possible private sale or public auction of some of these pieces. Mr. Henkels was an antique dealer in Philadelphia well-known for his auctions and private sales to collectors. The correspondence from Mrs. Harrison to Mr. Henkels details their business negotiations from May 1910 leading up to the sale of the items in Philadelphia on December 20, 1910. It also includes letters concerning a settling of accounts between them up through February 1911. In August 1910, Mrs. Harrison’s secretary, Elizabeth Kerper, traveled from Red Hill to Philadelphia and met with Mr. Henkels to discuss the expenses associated with the upcoming sale. Ms. Kerper obtained a quote from Mr. Henkels on the expenses of freight and shipping, insurance of the collection, Henkels’ commission, and the cost of creating and distributing the auction catalog. The catalog compiled by Mr. Henkels lists and describes the Patrick Henry papers and heirlooms Mrs. Harrison had sent, along with a few historical items unrelated to Henry that were up for sale at the same auction. Charles L. Hamilton (1847–1930), who purchased many Patrick Henry items, owned a copy of this catalog (76.5.2), which his heirs donated to the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation in 1959. The Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation purchased this letter from an online seller in May 2004 as part of the collection of correspondence.