Inventor of the cotton gin and pioneer of mass production. ALS, one page, 8 x 10, January 25, 1813. Whitney makes tentative plans for a journey. In full: 'I have this day received your fav[or] of the 22 inst[ant] - and also your former letter which I postponed answering from day to day with the hope that each succeeding day would enable me to inform you specifically when I could be with you. I have been so much indisposed for ten days as to render it imprudent for me to travel - I shall come to New York as soon as my health will admit, and flatter myself that I shall have the pleasure of meeting by the last of this or the first of next week at farthest.' In fine condition, with some very light uneven toning to the top and bottom edges not affecting the signature, and a circular stain and a professionally repaired tear to the text area caused by the sealing wax; the integral address panel (which has been re-attached to the letter with archival quality tape) sustains some moderate uneven toning, an area of paper loss not affecting the writing and a tear caused by the seal which has also been professionally repaired. A scarce and desirable American autograph. COA John Reznikoff/University Archives and RRAuction COA.
