Autographs
1833 President Andrew Jackson Signed West Point Military Academy Ornate Vellum Teacher/Instructor's Commission
ANDREW JACKSON (1767-1845). Seventh President of the United States (1829-1837), Politician and Army Major General who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend (1814), and in the War of 1812 the British Army at the Battle of New Orleans (1815).
April 1, 1833-Dated, Partially-Printed Document on Vellum Signed, "Andrew Jackson" as President, Washington, Choice Extremely Fine. Cosigned, "Lewis Cass" as Secretary of War. The original Military Appointment of noted artist "Charles Leslie" as a Teacher of Drawing of the Military Academy at West Point. This choice quality Commission measures 13.75" x 17.5" with boldly printed decorative American Patriotic and Military vignettes at both the top and bottom. As typical, lightly creased quarterfolds. Overall, cleaner and much nicer than most Vellum Military Appointments of this era. It has sharply printed designs and text, with easily readable brown ink manuscript portions, and signature. Its Embossed Red Wax and White Paper Seal is sharply detailed and remains fully intact at upper left.
Charles Leslie's brief stint in the United States did not hurt his career. In 1837, he received a Royal Patronage from Queen Victoria, and in 1847 he was named Professor of Painting at the Royal Academy. Leslie's lectures were published in 1855 as A Handbook for Young Painters. See references: The National Academy of Design; The Royal Academy. A very beautiful and rare President Andrew Jackson Signed Military Appointment of an Teacher/Instructor to West Point, with president Andrew Jackson's signature measuring a massive 5.5" long with his flourish below. An excellent Document for framing and display.
Artist Charles Robert Leslie (1794-1859) gained early fame as a teenager, when he produced a series of watercolors of Englishman, George Frederick Cooke, in 1811. Following this initial artistic success, he attended the Royal Academy in London, focusing on dramatic and historical artworks.
In 1816, Leslie returned to the United States for a major exhibition of his works at The Pennsylvania Academy, but returned to England shortly thereafter, where, in 1825, he was admitted as a "Royal Academician".
Though Charles Leslie traveled to America on several occasions, he did not return permanently to live until he was offered this military Appointment as a teacher of drawing at West Point, being the document offered here. Leslie's brother, Tom, had secured the position for artist Charles without Charles' prior knowledge. Although the Philadelphia and New York "Art" scenes welcomed Charles with open arms, he reportedly disdained his position at the military academy. Reportedly unhappy with both his professional obligations and his living arrangements, he returned to England after only five months of employment at West Point.
Charles Leslie's brief stint in the United States did not hurt his career. In 1837, he received a Royal Patronage from Queen Victoria, and in 1847 he was named Professor of Painting at the Royal Academy. Leslie's lectures were published in 1855 as A Handbook for Young Painters. See references: The National Academy of Design; The Royal Academy.