Angelica Schuyler Church

10 autograph letters signed ("AC"), 31 pages (various sizes), some with integral address leaves, London, New York, and other locations, 1 February 1787–1 October 1812, to her sister Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton and other family members; condition varies.

Condition as described in catalogue entry.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Angelica Schuyler Church to her family in America.  Five of these letters are written to Mrs. Church's sister Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton and discuss plans for a move from London back to New York.  5 October 1796: "Yesterday …I returned from a painful scene, the taking leave of my Mother [-in-law], who has shown me as much care and kindness as if I were her own child; for a moment I almost regretted leaving Europe, she is now in her 88th year and is still Handsome, with all the ease and politeness of a lady of the old french court …. to be the occasion of taking from her at her great age, her whole family; I believe that my affection for my friends has made me in this instance cruel and unjust." 1 May (no year): "Do you live as pleasantly at Philadelphia as you did at New York? or are you obliged to bear the formalities of female circles, and their triffling chitchat? to you who have at home the most agreeable society in the world, how you must smile at their manner of losing time."

Of the remaining five letters, three are to Mrs. Church's mother, Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler, one to her brother John Bradstreet Schuyler, and one to her sister-in-law Mrs. Philip J. Schuyler. Of particular interest is a letter to her mother, 1 May 1795, giving details of a ball the Churches gave for the Prince of Wales (later George IV), "who did me the Honour to stay from one o'clock to five in the morning, a favor that he has not conferred on any other Lady this Winter at a Ball." In the same letter, she writes, "I send you a tea caddy, and a card will make you laugh.  Embrace dear papa a thousand times. I pray to heaven that General Washington would send him ambassadour here, and that you would come with him. We would all live together or in two adjoining houses, and you would make every body love and respect you."