1884 California Actor Letter: President Cleveland Election + Duncans Mill Mayor For Sale

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1884 California Actor Letter: President Cleveland Election + Duncans Mill Mayor:
$109.00

This 1884 letter, written the day before Election Day, from San Francisco is a true gem for collectors of historical correspondence. It provides a fascinating glimpse into politics and predicts the election of President Cleveland, saying, “Tomorrow we elect Cleveland”

It also mentions Charlie Orr, the mayor of Duncans Mill, CA during a bygone era, saying “Charlie Orr is still Mayor of Duncans Mill + doing nothing, expect him down soon.” There are other names mentioned that appear to be political, as well. Cool piece!

This letter was written to William H. Sharp.

According to our research (and the research of the University of Michigan):

Sharp was born in Washington in January 1863, the son of Phillip T. and Mary Sharp; the family later lived in The Dalles, Oregon. His siblings included E. F., Frank, and Grace. William H. Sharp attended the California Military Academy in Oakland, California, from 1880-1883 and later returned to The Dalles, where William lived with his wife Jennie. Their children were Phillip, Blanch, Jennie, Caroline, and William.

It was written by Paul P Davis. According to genealogical research:

Paul P. Davis was a professor of rhetoric and elocution, and teacher of the histrionic art, with his studio at room 29, Gilbert building, Grand Rapids.

He was born in San Francisco, Cal., April 7, 1860, spending three and a half years at the California Military Academy of Oakland. He then began studying for the stage, and in 1881 became a "professional," at first playing local engagements and then was engaged to support such stars as Miss Julia Marlowe, Mme. Fanny Janauschek, the famous Bohemian tragic actress; Mme. Helena Modjeska, the equally famous Polish actress; Joe Murphy, the Irish comedian, and Joe Polk, and later was member of the exceptionally strong company that for years occupied the boards of the New York City Lyceum theater.

In 1890 and 1891, Mr. Davis was stage manager for Janauschek, and the following season he abandoned the stage and came to Grand Rapids, opening his school of instruction.

In 1898, Mr. Davis put on the play of "Wonderful Woman" at Power’s opera and in 1899, he took part in a Shakespearian entertainment at the Ackley Institute of Grand Haven, in which he gave a number of recitations from "Macbeth" and of which the correspondent of the Grand Rapids Herald wrote, "This was Mr. Davis’ first appearance here, and his rendering of those lines of Shakespeare’s wonderful work won the applause of each present. He favored his hearers with the murder scene by request, and ‘well done’ was said by the audience in the long and continued applause that they gave him. It was in the clown’s play that Mr. Davis won deserved praise. In his other selections his dialect and droll imagery were nicely shown."

Mr. Davis was a member of the board of directors of the Michigan Association of Elocutionists and was an honorary member of the Grand Rapids Schubert club.

All ephemera has wear commensurate to age, including, potentially: nicks, folds, smudges, rips at edges, stains, old smells, minor rips at folds , small holes, and other imperfections. You get what you see :)

Our research notes indicate our best efforts but are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate

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