Luther Burbank—1887 Handwritten Letter Signed on Olive Trees and California’s Booming Nursery Trade
An engaging autograph letter signed by celebrated American horticulturist Luther Burbank, dated September 14, 1887, from Santa Rosa, California. Written on illustrated Santa Rosa Nurseries stationery and signed in full, “Luther Burbank.”
Responding to an inquiry from Mr. Stilson, Burbank discusses the availability, pricing, and planting of olive trees. He offers existing prices until October 1, explaining that an increase will then be necessary because demand is “so enormous that all will be exhausted in the state early in the winter.”
Burbank recommends well-rooted trees eight to twelve inches tall and reports that he sent 6,000 trees to the recipient’s town the previous winter, most only about three inches high but already well rooted. The letter offers a vivid glimpse of Burbank personally managing his nursery business and supplying California’s growing interest in olive cultivation.
One handwritten page with blank reverse, bearing a bold full signature. Good overall condition, with age toning, scattered staining, folds and creasing, two punctures in the upper blank area, edge tears, short fold separations, and traces of former mounting at the upper corners. Accompanied by an earlier catalog clipping describing the letter and offering it at $490. The catalog and wholesale price list mentioned in the correspondence are not included.
An appealing early Burbank letter with substantial horticultural and California agricultural content.
An engaging autograph letter signed by celebrated American horticulturist Luther Burbank, dated September 14, 1887, from Santa Rosa, California. Written on illustrated Santa Rosa Nurseries stationery and signed in full, “Luther Burbank.”
Responding to an inquiry from Mr. Stilson, Burbank discusses the availability, pricing, and planting of olive trees. He offers existing prices until October 1, explaining that an increase will then be necessary because demand is “so enormous that all will be exhausted in the state early in the winter.”
Burbank recommends well-rooted trees eight to twelve inches tall and reports that he sent 6,000 trees to the recipient’s town the previous winter, most only about three inches high but already well rooted. The letter offers a vivid glimpse of Burbank personally managing his nursery business and supplying California’s growing interest in olive cultivation.
One handwritten page with blank reverse, bearing a bold full signature. Good overall condition, with age toning, scattered staining, folds and creasing, two punctures in the upper blank area, edge tears, short fold separations, and traces of former mounting at the upper corners. Accompanied by an earlier catalog clipping describing the letter and offering it at $490. The catalog and wholesale price list mentioned in the correspondence are not included.
An appealing early Burbank letter with substantial horticultural and California agricultural content.
