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Table of Contents > Autographs > Lot 28 |
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Lot Number: 28
Click for a Printable PageSign-in to Bid or Register to Bid Estimate Range: $50,000 - $80,000 |
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1810 Paul Revere Autograph Letter Signed to His Son, Joseph Warren Revere, Excellent Business and Personal Content Historically Recording “the first example of (American Foreign Spying) industrial espionage in United States history." for the Revere Copper Company |
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PAUL REVERE (JR.) (1735-1818). American Silversmith, Engraver, early Industrialist as owner of the “Revere Copper Company”; Founding Member “Sons of Liberty” Patriot in the American Revolution; most famous for alerting the Colonial militia to the approach of British forces April 18th, 1775 the night prior to the Battles of Lexington & Concord starting the Revolutionary War, as dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, "Paul Revere's Ride". June 17, 1810-Dated, Autograph Letter Signed, “Paul Revere” dated at Canton, Mass., and continued this letter concluding it the next day from Boston, Very Fine. It is penned on a single sheet using both sides, the period paper has the watermark “WS” in fancy script at bottom left, some outer margins are irregular, being tipped to a supporting heavy cardstock for its prior housing and support, as shown. The main letter is written in a medium brown ink, whereas the concluding statement and signature use deep rich brown ink, creating a wonderful signature. There is some even overall tone to the paper and having used both sides, some light show-through is present. This excellent content Letter is to Paul Revere's son, Joseph Warren Revere (1777-1868), his eldest living son, who joined his father's business, the “Revere Copper Company,” located in Canton, Mass, in 1804. Who, upon his father’s (Paul Revere) retirement in 1811, just one year after Paul Revere penned this letter, Joseph Warren Revere became President of the Company.This Letter is written to Joseph Revere in England, where he had been for several months, on business which was shrouded in secrecy, as noted in Paul Revere's postscript to this Letter, where he writes: "I do not believe one person in Boston knows the business you went upon. I have hinted that it is on account of our particular business". Whether the hint Paul Revere mentions was intentional misdirection, or was in fact the truth, is uncertain being known only the the correspondents. A possible hint as to the purpose of Joseph's trip to England may be found in the “secret business” he engaged in during a trip through Europe a few years earlier, in 1804, during which Joseph collected trade secret information on processes for rolling sheet copper. Engaging in extensive industrial espionage, while posing as a mere American tourist and a potential investor, later paid off handsomely the the Revere Copper Company. This prior visit to England and Europe is described in a blog found on the Paul Revere Museum's website, and reads, in part: "In 1804 Joseph Warren Revere, now 27 and officially the Junior Partner in all his father's businesses, took a "sight-seeing" trip to Europe. Although he did take in the sights (and purchased fancy European hats for his mother and sister), the real reason for his travels was a more clandestine one. Paul Revere had won a Contract with the United States Navy to produce copper sheeting that would protect the hulls of the frigate USS Constitution and the other ships of the Navy fleet. However, the intricacies of rolling sheet copper were closely guarded trade secrets held by only a few European manufacturers. Posing as a potential investor, Joseph managed to tour factories in England, France, Denmark, The Netherlands, and Sweden. Joseph, being very astute (artistic) and having a photographic memory, was able to draw up detailed schematics of all the processes and machinery he had seen. With this knowledge the Revere’s were able to open the First Copper Rolling Mill in the Americas. This is generally considered the first example of industrial espionage in United States history." Also, another hint as to his son's “business” in England is Paul Revere's mentioning that he sent his son a "second model" - which may indicate that his son was trying to sell, or get investors interested in a device or machinery, probably related to copper manufacturing. In the beginning of his letter, Paul Revere notes that in his son's previous letter, that Joseph told him he was “unsuccessful in his efforts” (at whatever he was there to do). As noted in this Letter, Joseph was in England together with his younger brother, John - John Revere (1787-1847), who had graduated from Harvard in 1807, and was not in England on the same business as Joseph, as he was not employed by the Revere Copper Company. John Revere was there for his education, planning on studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland. John Revere did accomplish that goal in 1811, earning his Medical Degree, and soon thereafter becoming a prominent physician in the United States, and in 1841 became a Founding Faculty Member of the Medical School of the University of the City of New York, (known today as the NYU School of Medicine). Paul Revere also writes that he has received two letters from Joseph "by the John Adams" - this was the USS John Adams, a Frigate built for the US Navy in 1799 during the Quasi War with France, which saw extensive service in the Quasi War and in action against the Barbary Wars. The USS John Adams had returned to the U.S. from England (with Joseph’s letters) in June, 1810. Now, provided and fully armed with the prior introductory historical background information, this important, exceedingly rare extensive, 2-page Autograph Letter boldly Signed, “Paul Revere” dated June 17th, 1810, reads in full: “Canton Date June 17 1810 --- Dear Joseph I have been expecting you in all this month till yesterday, I reced yours of the 18 April (via New York) aquainting me that it was probable you should not leave England, till July, or August. Tis quite misterious to me what can keep you; before you went you told me that if your business did not succeed, you should immediately return and you wrote me in Feb that it would not, that as soon as the season would permit, you should go into Wales, and probably take passage from Liverpool. The same sentiments were contained in letter of yours since, for those reasons. I have not wrote you for a considerable time, expecting you would not git any letters. When the second model was sent you I did not write; but have written John by almost every opportunity. In every letter, I mentioned Maynard and Lamb, there will never be any thing recovered from them, Waldo says, Robert is a dam'd rascall and ought to be hanged, that they cannot pay one cent on a Dollar, I have taken every pains in my power to secure something, but find every thing here is made over to to James and Thomas Lamb, Maynard is yet in the West Indes and has made over all theirs property there.--On account of them I have been very much perplexed; Mr. Jones has been very kind. we yet owe him 1000$. It is very dificult to collect money, I have not yet reced but 200$ from Thomas. The 12 inst. Hinchleys note became due, and if I had not have got Rice and Savage's money, I do not know what I should have done. I paid 2000$ and got a continuance, Briggs ship is launched and gone to Liverpool, but have got but 800$ of his money, we have now seven ships inhand, one for Godderd, Wood, N.port, Thomas, Cuts and Stevens, Sac. J. C. Jones, Capt. Benjn Rich and Capt. Holland. But Goddard, and Wood have a long credit, besides, we had six ton, sixteen hund copper from Gooermst, whis is better than half finished, we have sold several bells, some still sheets and that if we are fortunate in collecting our debts, we shall do very well. There is a very large quantity of South American coppers arrived in the U.N. States. A vessel belonging to Boardman and Pope arrive a few days since from S.A. She is 380 ton and is ballasted with copper, and tin, Cocoa in bulk and Jesuits Bark, they have 70,000$ for the Freight. She was bound to Cadiz, but they spoke a British ship, who told the, Spain was in the possession of France so they put for America she is commanded by Capt. Folger. John Prince and some Salem men had a vessel from Smyrna who had 80,000 to. of copper I might have purchased the whole it, but was afraid. I purchased 20,000 upon the same terms with Hinckley.--we have a vesel for Prince and Darby for which we find the bolts only. You will see by the Papers that the Democrats have got the upper hand but there is a Federal majority of one in the Senate, which will hinder them from altering, or passing any new Law to favor their side.--At the last Court of Session, Leonard gave up the Cause of the Road. Rice and Savage think Stephen Bruce is foundered. He sailed from here the beginning of March in a small schooner of theirs for St. Domingo, and was to make his voiage in in two months, they had a letter from H. May who was there, Stephen had been out 71 days and had not arrived. Your Mother and Mariah came up with me here yesterday, We intend going to Boston tomorrow. Our familys in general are well I am the only invalid, the disorder that was in my Face and Hands, have got into my leggs which makes it very dificult to walk. I do not go upon Change more than twice a week. but my health is very good. In short I find my self an Old Man. Thomas, and Paul, have managed exceedingly well they have done a great deal of business.--I am very much pleased to find that John's health is so good and that you are pleased with his conduct. I do not write him by this conveyance but his wife writes. It gives me great happiness to find that, Lydia, your Mother and sister, agree and live so happy together; little Helen is the prityest little Babe I ever saw, she runs alone, begins to speak, she knows everything you say, and gives a great deal of happiness. June 18 Boston --- We have this moment arrived from Canton I found two letters from you by the John Adams, of Feby. 17 and March 18, the principle part I have wrote upon above; I do not recolect any thing of Moment to write we are all well and all send theirs love to you and John, as the vessel sails tomorrow morning I must close to git it on Board. --- Yours affectionately, - (Signed) Paul Revere P.S. --- I do not believe one person in Boston knows the business you went upon. I have hinted that it on account of our particular business. |
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Lot Number: 28
Click for a Printable Page Sign-in to Bid or Register to Bid |
Estimate Range: $50,000 - $80,000 |
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