[Mathew Brady]

Mathew Brady (May 18, 1822 - January 15, 1896), notable American photographer of the nineteenth century, authentic, personally docketed vintage letter (ALS by E.L Cook), three pages, front and verso, 5 x 8, dated May 18, 1865. Brady is considered the father of photojournalism as he took thousands of photos of the Civil War, including the surrounding scenes of many crucial battles.

Docketed “E L Cook / May 18, 1865” by Brady on verso of second sheet. In a letter to Brady, Elijah L. Cook writes, in part, “Mr. Fredricks will be home on the 23rd and I hope you will do all you can before that timeas he has written me often about that matter and I have done the best I could to make matters easy for you. The whole amt. you have paid so far is on a/c $200.00. interest 30.00. $230.00. The interest for 3 months is $35. His partner tried hard to prevent his loaning the money and it was only owing to my urgent request that he did loan it so that I feel as sorry as you do about the matter … Please write me at once and at least try and pay up the interest due. You know that I will do all I can to make things easy with my uncle for you. He will arrive here on the 23d…” Penned in purple ink in an unknown hand on third page: “sent $200 Dec 5th.” Signed at the conclusion "E.L. Cook."

Exhibits the usual mailing folds, a stain on the lower left corner of each page, and soft mirroring from previous storage, otherwise fine condition.