DESCRIPTION:
Original three page handwritten letter with envelope, dated December 23, 1916, from famed Chicago, Illinois society photographer Mathew J. Steffens, on his photo studio letterhead, to Mrs. Elisha P. Whitehead. Letter reads,
Dec. 23, 1916
My dear Mrs. Whitehead: -
I have recently perfected the "Orotype" (gold) process, which artists and critics say produces the most beautiful portraits ever made with a camera. The pictures are absolutely permanent for a century as the(y) are made of insoluble pigment and the most precious metal. The process is very difficult, slow, and expensive - and at present no one but myself produces the work. While experimenting, I naturally selected the most interesting subjects - among them a negative of your daughter, Mrs. Shumway. I am sending you the finished portrait for your and her inspection and hope you will appreciate my efforts in the advancement of photography.
Very truly yours,
MJ Steffens
Mrs. Elisha P. Whitehead
Chicago
ITEM DETAILS:
Wonderful content on Steffens' pioneering work with the orotone process. The letter appears to have been written in a female hand, perhaps by his secretary, and is signed by Steffens at the close. An outstanding eleven page biography on Mathew Steffens, including several photos, can be found here. Mrs. Elisha P. Whitehead is the former Grace Madeline Laflin who married Mr. Elisha Paxton Whitehead on December 10, 1874 in Cook County, Illinois. She was the granddaughter of Matthew Laflin (1803 - 1897), who was a manufacturer of gunpowder, businessman, philanthropist, and an early pioneer of Chicago. Her father was George Hinman Laflin.
Letter measures 5 1/4 x 6 5/8 inches. The envelope is 3 5/8 x 5 5/8 inches.
CONDITION:
Excellent with standard horizontal fold at center of each page.
PRICE:
$750
