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📜 1889 ALS Signed by C.H. Lee of Virginia – Discussing Lost Richard Henry Lee Autographs – Idlewild Stationery
Description:
Offered here is a scarce autograph letter signed (ALS) by Cassius Henry Lee (1808–1890) of Leesburg, Virginia, dated August 21, 1889, written on embossed stationery marked IDLEWILD. In the letter, Lee responds to a collector’s request for an autograph of his famous ancestor Richard Henry Lee (1732–1794), the Revolutionary War leader and signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Lee regrets that he cannot provide one, explaining that “during the late war my father’s papers were rifled; & everything of this sort, of any value, was carried away.” This poignant acknowledgment ties the destruction of family heirlooms directly to the Civil War, making it a fascinating piece of both Revolutionary and Confederate lineage history.
The letter is addressed to Mr. J. H. Weeks of Stonington, Connecticut, a known autograph collector of the era.
✍️ Full Transcription
Leesburg, Va. Aug 21, 1889
Dear Sir,
It would afford me much pleasure to present you with an autograph of Richard Henry Lee had I one at my disposal. During the late war my father’s papers were rifled; & everything of this sort, of any value, was carried away.
Yrs truly,
C. H. Lee
Mr. J. H. Weeks
Stonington, Conn.
(Embossed at top left: IDLEWILD)
🔎 Historical Context
C. H. Lee (Cassius Henry Lee, 1808–1890): A descendant of the prominent Virginia Lee family. By the late 19th century, descendants were frequently contacted by collectors seeking relics of the Founding Fathers.
Richard Henry Lee (1732–1794): A Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, most famous for introducing the Lee Resolution of June 7, 1776 calling for independence from Britain. His autographs were highly sought after by 19th-century collectors.
The “Late War”: The Civil War caused widespread destruction of family papers across the South. Lee’s acknowledgment that his father’s archives were rifled underlines the tragic loss of priceless Revolutionary relics.
Idlewild: The embossed stationery identifies the estate name. Many prominent families of the era gave romantic names to their homes; while there is a well-known Idlewild estate in Fredericksburg (used briefly by Robert E. Lee as headquarters in 1863), this letter was written from Leesburg, Virginia, suggesting the Lee residence there also bore the name Idlewild. This embossing strengthens provenance by tying the letter directly to Lee’s household.
🏛 Significance
This letter bridges three crucial eras of American history:
The Revolutionary War, through Richard Henry Lee.
The Civil War, through the destruction of Lee family papers.
The late 19th-century autograph-collecting movement, showing how demand for Founding Father relics persisted.
Collectors will find this to be an evocative survivor from one of Virginia’s most famous families, documenting both loss and lineage.
📐 Physical Details
Single page, 8” x 5” ruled paper.
Bold ink signature “C. H. Lee” at close.
Embossed “IDLEWILD” at upper left.
Minor toning and faint stains, overall very good condition.
💰 Value & Collectibility
This ALS has strong crossover appeal:
Letters directly referencing the destruction of historical papers during the Civil War are uncommon, and those tied to Richard Henry Lee’s memory even more so.
✅ Ready for Display – This letter would frame beautifully alongside an engraving of Richard Henry Lee or other Lee family memorabilia.
Don’t miss this chance to own an authentic 1889 letter signed by a member of the Lee family of Virginia, touching on the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the tragedy of lost history.
