DAVID CROCKETT. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED, 5 MAY 1830, TO MICHAEL C. SPRIGG

2 pages (10 x 7 7/8 in.; 254 x 202 mm) on a single leaf (watermarked Hudson), "Steam Boat Currier near Maysville," 5 May 1830; some minor shipping and repair at intersecting folds. Framed with double-sided Plexiglas.

2 pages (10 x 7 7/8 in.; 254 x 202 mm) on a single leaf, "Steam Boat Currier near Maysville," 5 May 1830; some minor shipping and repair at intersecting folds. Framed with double-sided Plexiglas.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A fine, if somewhat frantic letter, full of the author's typical misspellings and largely devoid of punctuation. Heading home from Washington, Crockett had reached Maysville, Kentucky, when he realized he had lost a portrait of himself after leaving Frostburg, Maryland. Crockett here enlists the assistance of a fellow legislator, Michael Sprigg of Maryland, who served with Crockett in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Congresses. "I am getting on well and expects to reach my residence if no axident in ten or eleven days from the City—I am under the necessaty to ask you to do me a favour that is to call at the hose whare the Stage Stopes and in frostburgh enquare for a portetrate or my own likeness it was taken by Mr. Hincley and presented to me—I had it Rooled up and some news papers roud it and I had called it a map of florida[.] I had tied it up in side of the male Stage  and I was in the accommodation Stage and we got parted when I came to frostburgh whare they had changed Stages I enquerid for it and was told by the drive that he had put it into the other Stage tho I came on a few miles and over took the mail Stage and found that the fellow had not told be the truth[.] I am confidant that it was left their and it will be of no use to any other person than myself—I will take it as a particular favour of you if you will enquire and find it and enclose it to the Care of Foresyth and Dobbings at Wheeling their they will send it one to me … will you be so good as to enquire for it and write me to my post office in Tennessee[.]"