Description
This is a set of seven handwritten letters, and five are on Hotel Martha Washington letterhead. Most of the letters are dated in 1903 and the ones that do not have a year on the are also probably from 1903. However, one letter is dated in 1905.
Hotel Martha Washington, 29 East 29th Street, New York city, first opened its doors in March, 1903 and was the first hotel built in New York to provide housing for professional women. It was incredibly popular when it first opened. The original building is still standing today, and it is now known as the Redbury New York.
Thus, these letters and the letterhead on which they were written came from the first year the hotel was open.
The letters were written by a young lady named "Mamie" who appears to have been an aspiring singer. She wrote to her family -- her sister, mother and father who were back home. She talks about the progress of her voice lessons, prospects, and financial deficits. Also her moods.
The letters included are
- On letterhead dated November 28, 1903, 3 pieces of paper, 6 pages.
- On letterhead, no date, just "Sunday Night", 4 pieces of paper, 4 pages.
- On letterhead, dated August 24th (no year) 3 pieces of paper, 6 pages.
- On letterhead, dated October 23rd, 1905, 2 pieces of paper, 4 pages.
- On letterhead, dated July 20, 1903 3 pieces of paper, 6 pages
- On blank page, undated, one page
- On blank page, undated , 3 pieces of paper, 3 pages
These items are in good condition. One letter does have some tears along the fold lines. Please see photos for details.
Thank you for looking.