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The Magnet and the Iron: John Brown and George L. Stearns The Stories Behind the Busts

Leonard Carmichael to George R. Sands & Son, 1950

Date:
1950
Exhibit Description:
Letter from Tufts College president Leonard Carmichael to George R. Sands & Son, a conservator in Cambridge, 1950. It was this letter that allowed Tufts University Art Registrar Laura McDonald to put two and two together and realize the noseless bust was that of John Brown. The letter reads, "Gentlemen: Tufts College has a marble bust of John Brown, sculptured by Edward A. Brackett. Some time ago in an accident the nose was broken on this bust. Would it be possible for someone in your organization using contemporary photographs of John Brown to prepare a new nose that could be cemented to the bust? If this is feasible, would you be willing to indicate the cost of your work? Very truly yours, Leonard Carmichael"
Source:
Tufts DCA
Attribution:
Carmichael, Leonard
Attribution Statement:
Tufts University Digital Collections and Archives
Exhibit Tags:
Tufts UniversityTufts University Permanent CollectionTufts DCAlettersdocumentsEdward Augustus BrackettsculpturesCambridge