Alexander Gardner
Washington, DC, May 9, 1866
Photographer Alexander Gardner Rare Letter Signed Incl. Ward Lamon & Ely Parker, Over 40 Signatures!
LS

Manuscript letter signed by 43 Washington notables, with some including their rank, 3pp, on ruled paper measuring 7.75" x 9.75", Washington, May 9, 1866. To strongman and gymnast Abner S. Brady, inviting him to a benefit at Grover's Theatre in Washington to be held in his honor. Expected folds and creases with wrinkling throughout. Moderate toning, dampstaining, and scattered foxing. Adhesive residue and blue ink remnants on verso of page one. Punch hole at top left. Else, very good.

In full:

"We the undersigned, members & friends of your Gymnasium, in the high appreciation in which you are held by us, as well for your indefatigable zeal in promoting the physical well being of all who have placed themselves under your instruction & care, as for your uniformly genial and exemplary deportment as a citizen, have determined on the night of the 28th inst at Grover's Theatre, to tender to you a complimentary benefit, and for this purpose have already engaged the building. We propose in addition to the giving a full Gymnastic Exhibition to vary the entertainment with choice music, to the end that our efforts may prove a decided success. Please advise us of your approval or otherwise of our action in this matter."

Within two years of affixing his extremely rare signature to this letter, Alexander Gardner left photography to start an insurance business. Interestingly enough, just above Gardner's signature is that of fellow photographer John Goldin who created the print, Death Bed of Lincoln / April 15, 1865. Other luminaries who added their signature to the invitation include Ward Hill Lamon (1828-1893) a personal friend of Lincoln and self-appointed bodyguard; Henry Clay Ford (1844-1915) brother of John T. Ford, and stage manger of Ford's Theatre at the time of Lincoln's assassination (Ford was the one who informed John Wilkes Booth that Lincoln would be attending Ford's Theatre the evening of April 14, 1865); Ely S. Parker (1828-1895) U.S. Grant's military secretary during the Civil War, the last Grand Sachem of the Iroquois, and the first Native American to head the Bureau of Indian Affairs; Grant's aide-de-camp, P.T. Hudson; Richard Wallach (1816-1881) the first Republican Mayor of Washington (1861-68) who oversaw the police response to Lincoln's assassination; and William E. Chandler (1835-1917) as Solicitor and Judge Advocate General of the Navy (later served as Secretary of the Navy in the Arthur Administration).

Abner S. Brady (c. 1835-1890) assumed management of the Washington Gymnasium in 1864. Brady, an early "strongman" and fitness guru, got his start in New York, where he ran "Abner S. Brady's Zouave Manufactory" on St. Mark's place, where it was said that "soldiers of the Seventh Regiment are exercised far beyond drilling, and where all civilians who see fit to join are greatly strengthened for the battle of life." Brady was a member of the regiment himself, joining in 1854 and resigning in 1863. In recognition of his contributions, the regiment awarded him with a medal.

There must have been a scramble among the organizers of the Grover's Theatre benefit as it would appear that the "28th inst." was not going to work for Mr. Brady. Plans were soon adjusted and the fete for the celebrated strongman was instead held on June 4, 1866 at Grover's Theatre (known today as the National Theatre), in a grand concert in which Brady's wife sang soprano, and Mr. Brady himself performed gymnastics along with 40 of his best pupils.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.75" x 9.75"
  • Medium: LS

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