Nella Fontaine Binckley to Cousin Robbie, September 25, 1930

Thomas Circle from Portland Flats, 1921 (Library of Congress)

[Nella Fontaine Binckley at Washington, D.C., to Robert Morton Hughes at Norfolk, Virginia, September 25, 1930, Box 1, Folder 8: Nellie Brinkley [i.e. Nella Fontaine Binckley], 1927-1937, Robert Morton Hughes Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library, Old Dominion University Libraries, Norfolk, VA 23529]

ARTS CLUB OF WASHINGTON

2017 I STREET NORTHWEST

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Apt. 700, Portland Hotel [Portland Flats]
Sept, 25th 1930.

Dear Cousin Robbie:--

I have been extremely busy -- ever since last writing you. I always am, for that matter. But just now, I have more than I probably will have later on.

So I have thought of the portrait of uncle Joe which you and Coralie suggested. Do you feel like planning for it now? Time is slipping by.

I should be willing to paint it for the price named,-- $300. And my contribution would be a handsome frame,-- which would make a considerable hole in the $300.

Unless the picture was entirely satisfactory to the family, I would not expect it to be accepted. I would not wish it to be. Being a member of the family myself, I am willing to do it on approval, which few (if any) other first class artists would do.

It would probably be exhibited in Washington before being sent to Richmond,-- at the Arts Club, or one of the best galleries.

I hope you and the others are well.

Affectionately your cousin
Nellie

Thomas Circle from Portland Flats, 1930 (Library of Congress)

Address

Portland Hotel

Apt. 700.

Thomas Circle

Washington, D.C.  

[Ellen/Nellie/Nella Fontaine Binckley (September 1, 1860- April 27, 1951; she was not born in 1877 as she successfully hoaxed some time after returning from the West Coast to the East Coast in the early 1900s)
Cousin Robbie = Robert Morton Hughes, Sr. (1855-1940)]
Coralie Henry Johnston (1861-1954), childhood friend of her cousin Nella Fontaine Binckley (1860-1951), educated at Johns Hopkins and Old Dominion, nurse and longtime (for three decades) reference librarian at the Virginia State Library (The Library of Virginia) in Richmond
Uncle Joe = Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891)
Portland Flats (1880-1940)] 

Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration; in this case, specifically to William for providing a scan of the original letter, and in turn thanks to Mr. Mel Frizzell, Special Collections Specialist. 

Circular Letter from the Great Depression: Llewellyn Shaffer, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Circular Letter from the Great Depression: Llewellyn Shaffer, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. 9th Street and Lackawanna Trail. Dated May 16, 1935. The 9th Street Station. 

"Our station is conveniently located and modern in every respect, equipped to do car greasing, oil changing, tire repairing and tak[ing] care of motorist needs generally." 

Llewellyn Shaffer (June 1, 1902-August 14, 1977) was one of my maternal great/grand uncles.

 Inside foldout, left side.

 Inside foldout, right side.

Back cover.