Third-person ALS, one page on a 4.75 x 3 postcard postmarked in South Kensington, June 26, 1889, to “Messres. Elliott & Fry.” In full: “Florence Nightingale begs that Messrs. Elliott & Fry be informed that, constantly overworked as she is, and a prisoner to her room for years from illness, it is her deep regret entirely impossible for her to be photographed as her kind unknown friends are not infrequently proposing to her. She hopes they will accept kindly her inability & her apology.” Light scattered toning and soiling, and a couple pencil notations to both sides, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by an unsigned carte-de-visite portrait of Nightingale by Mr. Kilburn/H. Lenthall of London.
A private person throughout her life, Florence Nightingale avoided publicity as much as possible. She had a principled objection to having photographs taken or her portrait painted; despite her enormous fame, it is estimated there are fewer than a dozen images taken of her during her lifetime. Bedridden and suffering from what most historians believe was brucellosis, she here denies Elliott and Fry’s request for a sitting (though it is unlikely she would have attended even if in perfect health). Though they famously copied Henry Hering’s portrait of Nightingale in 1858, there is no record that she ever sat for their studio. A wonderful letter from the celebrated reformer, giving voice to her lifelong aversion to stepping in front of the camera. RR Auction COA.
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