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Offered is a remarkable three-page typed letter signed (TLS) by John Bigelow (1817–1911), dated October 27, 1906, written from his estate “The Squirrels” in Highland Falls-on-Hudson. The letter is boldly signed in ink at the close and survives in excellent condition.
This extended letter to his friend Ford is full of intellectual depth and late-life reflection. It begins with Bigelow’s thanks for clarification about a Mr. Smyth of the Philadelphia Library, and expands into a fascinating discussion of Benjamin Franklin’s weakness for attractive women and his celebrated intimacy with Mme. Brillon, one of Franklin’s closest French confidantes. Bigelow assures Ford that no letters could unsettle his conviction that Franklin’s relationship was honorable, though affectionate.
Bigelow then congratulates Ford on his patriotic love of country and praises him for being blessed with a wife who shares his tastes and scholarly pursuits. The tone is warm, intimate, and philosophically reflective, offering a vivid glimpse into the mind of an 89-year-old statesman and editor who had spent decades immersed in Franklin’s writings.
✒️ Why This Letter is Exceptional
Three Full Pages: A rare extended TLS, not a perfunctory note.
Franklin Content: Bigelow was Franklin’s editor, and here he discusses Franklin’s character and letters — a direct link between two centuries of American thought.
Mme. Brillon Reference: Franklin’s Parisian confidante, a subject of great interest to Franklin scholars, mentioned by Bigelow personally.
Personal Stationery: From his estate “The Squirrels.”
Large Bold Signature: A sweeping “John Bigelow” anchors the final page.
Late-Life Perspective: Written in 1906, only five years before his death.
📚 Biographical Notes
John Bigelow (1817–1911):
Lawyer, journalist, diplomat, and editor. As U.S. Minister to France during the Civil War, he helped prevent French recognition of the Confederacy. Later, he was a founding trustee and first board president of the New York Public Library. His multi-volume editions of Benjamin Franklin’s works remain landmarks of American scholarship.
Paul Leicester Ford (1865–1902):
The likely recipient “Ford” was historian, editor, and novelist Paul Leicester Ford. He edited The Writings of Thomas Jefferson and authored popular historical novels such as Janice Meredith. Ford’s editorial reputation explains why Bigelow trusted his judgment on Smyth and corresponded with him about Franklin manuscripts.
Mme. Anne-Louise Brillon de Jouy (1744–1824):
A gifted Parisian musician and intellectual, Mme. Brillon was one of Franklin’s closest companions during his years in France. Their correspondence, full of wit and warmth, has fascinated scholars for centuries. Bigelow, as Franklin’s editor, here shares his personal conviction that Franklin’s relationship with her was sincere and honorable.
Mr. Smyth:
Likely Henry Preston Smyth, a Philadelphia librarian and scholar, whose name and position led Bigelow to wonder if he descended from “the old Provost Smyth” of the University of Pennsylvania. Ford clarified otherwise, much to Bigelow’s relief.
🖋️ Collectible Value
This is far more than a routine signed letter: it is an extended meditation by one of Franklin’s foremost editors, directly addressing Franklin’s friendships, reputation, and correspondence. The combination of Franklin commentary, Mme. Brillon reference, and Bigelow’s warm philosophical reflections make this a museum-worthy piece of Americana.
A rare, three-page signed letter where John Bigelow — Civil War diplomat, NYPL founder, and Franklin’s editor — reflects on Franklin’s character, his letters, and his intimate circle in France. A prize for serious collectors of American history.
