We are fortunate to have a few examples of Levi Stewart’s writing. In this letter to Charlotte, Levi tells her that he has purchased a copy of Aldens Manifold Cyclopedia for her family. It will delivered to them as it is published.
(Note: Levi’s penmanship is unique to behold and challenging to read. I have added a transcription of the letter at the bottom the page. -Ken)
Please leave a comment below with your reaction to this letter. We are interested in your thoughts about the Levi’s Letters Project.
Object ID LMS 1889 07 18
TRANSCRIPTION
Minneapolis July 13, 1889
Mrs C. A. Elliot
Revere Station, Mass
Dear Madam:
I write you in order to save you some doubts & tribulation. Before this reaches you, very likely the Express agent will have called on you with a Package, or send you notice of his having a package directed to you, from John B. Alden of 393 Pearl Street, New York City. The Package will contain the first 16 or 17 volumes of “Aldens Manifold Cyclopedia” which I signed for and have paid for to be sent to you, for the benefit of yourself and your family. It is a splendid work and one of the most complete and useful in the world. There are to be thirty (30) volumes in all, but the rest are not yet published but they publish a new volume every few months, and all the rest of the volumes yet to be published, I have already paid for, and they will all be sent to you as fast as issued without any cost to you. With such a family of girls as you have, such a work is of great advantage, and I send the Books to you, and then you can see that the whole family has the advantage of them. Please accept them as a present from
Yours Truly & in haste
L. M. Stewart