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Lot #254
George Washington Custis Lee Autograph Letter Signed

Lee on the logistics of ordering new engineering textbooks for VMI: "Since the war, the classes have been smaller for obvious reasons"

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Estimate: $400+
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Description

Lee on the logistics of ordering new engineering textbooks for VMI: "Since the war, the classes have been smaller for obvious reasons"

Eldest son of Robert E. Lee, who served as a Confederate general and aide-de-camp to Jefferson Davis (1832-1913). ALS signed “G. W. C. Lee,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, June 9, 1869. Addressed from Lexington, a handwritten letter to a major regarding the use of a new engineering textbook at the Virginia Military Institute, in part: “The selection of textbooks is generally left to the Professor and therefore I think there would be no doubt of Col. Williamson’s Course of Engineering being used at this school so long as he is Prof. of Eng’r. Col. Allan, the Prof. of Eng’r at Washington College, promises to use the work for his classes. Further than this, I suppose it would not be practicable to make promises. Genl. Smith, our Supt. is now absent, and I have not therefore been able to obtain his ideas on the subject of your letter…I am informed that before the war the 1st class (the one that studies Eng’r) averaged between 40 + 50 members. Since the war, the classes have been smaller for obvious reasons…I should think it would be safe to estimate fifty copies a year for the two schools here.” In fine condition.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts
  • Dates: #672 - Ended August 16, 2023





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