Lot 543: CRAWFORD, THOMAS

THOMAS CRAWFORD 1813?-1857) American sculptor; studied in Rome under Thorwaldsen; renowned for his work on the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, especially the bronze doors, and the bronze figure of Liberty which surmounts the dome. A.L.S. "Thos. Crawford, " 2pp., 4to, New York, July 31, 1845, to his friend George W. Greene, the American consul at Rome. Crawford asks his assistance in clearing his personal belongings through customs into Rome: "...I write in the greatest haste to request you will if possible obtain for us a Lascia Passau that will enable us to get into Rome our Boxes - there are 8 of them quite large, and containing a little of every thing. 3 out of the 8, contain models which I have to execute in Rome... ". Crawford originally planned to stay a short time in Italy, studying and learning, but as fate would have it, he spent the rest of his life there, executing his finest works from his studio in Rome. Minor age-stain, otherwise very good. $450-550