Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893) to George W. Childs re: buying a portrait of Gen. Grant for the White House

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02793.044 Author/Creator: Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893) Place Written: Washington Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1879/02/14 Pagination: 1 p. 18 x 12 cm Order a Copy

Written as President

14 Feb 1879
My Dear Sir:
I am anxious to get for this house a portrait of Gen Grant, and if it is not practicable to consult his, or his family's wishes, I prefer to procure a portrait now without waiting for Gen G's return - There is a portrait here by Ulke three fourths size, that is well thought of. But in this matter I would like your judgement. Do you know of any satisfactory portrait, which could be copied?
Sincerely
R. B Hayes

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