Lot 1114
NEW ENGLAND WHALING CAPTAIN RICHARD G. LUCE LETTER TO WHALING AGENT WILLIAM H. HATHAWAY IN VINEYARD HAVEN, MASS, 1856 the letter centered on updates about the whaling business - 7.5 x 4.75 in., and framed together with a colored whaling print marked Morette Facio del lower left margin and Rouargue sc lower right margin - 6.25 in. h x 9.75 in. (sight), sold together with a photograph of the "Charles W. Morgan," the last wooden whaling ship in America, designated a national historic landmark in 1966 and currently at Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut. The overall frame dimensions are 18.5 x 15 in. for the whaling letter, 15 x 13.25 in. for the "Charles W. Morgan" photograph. The New Bedford Whaling Museum contains the William H. Hathaway Jr. papers in the collection of its research library http://www.whalingmuseum.org/explore/library/finding-aids/mss100 William H. Hathaway Jr., (American, 1798-1885) was a whaling agent and commission merchant in New Bedford and was likely the recipient of this letter. In 1838 Hathaway entered into a partnership with Matthew Luce, likely a relative of the letter's author Captain Richard G. Luce, that continued until Matthew Luce's death in 1852. Captain Richard G. Luce's house still stands at the corner of William and Spring Streets in Vineyard Haven. Holmes Hole is a 19th century name for the modern-day Vineyard Haven. Captain Richard G. Luce (American, 1804-1885) is still celebrated for his achievement of never losing a whaling ship or a member of his crew throughout his extensive career. A mahogany and rosewood box with an intricate inlaid pattern of whalebone, mother-of-pearl, and tortoise shell attributed to Captain Luce is part of the permanent collection of the Martha's Vineyard Museum http://www.mvmuseum.org/Adopt%20An%20Object/dressingbox.php Inlaid with his daughter Abbie Bradford Luce's initials, it is believed he made this at sea and presented it to her upon the completion of a voyage. Captain Luce's talents apparently also included oil painting, as a portrait of Captain Thomas Adams Norton attributed to Captain Luce is also part of the permanent collection of the Martha's Vineyard Museum http://www.mvmuseum.org/Adopt%20An%20Object/thomasadamsnorton.php. The framed letter reads: "Holmes Hole Dec 5/56/ Mr. Hathaway/ Dr sir/ Yours with the Enclosed letter I recd I am [?] to Sea the Atlantic with so little oil I hope that She will come up at the last End I had letters from Mr Wade and Cattle they both say that all is right but Seaing the Whales I hope they may Sea them Soon the Statira is getting along Some I think She will come out quite well the next male will Bring the Julian in I think with the 1000 bbls I hope Yours truly R G Luce" (2)
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