Two Illustrated Letters Signed

A prolific and popular illustrator, Church often included fanciful animal drawings in his letters. Here, he has illustrated both letters with a full length playful bear. The first letter, Dec. 8, 1908, written to "Dear Toady" asks if he sent "that sweet birthday note. It was awful nice...to remember that Old Bear up in Carnegie Hall...." Church shows the seated bear in glasses accepting a letter from a cherub with a robin atop a rabbit asking, "Wasn't it nice in Today?" Below the signature he writes, "Would you let me in if I called?" The second incomplete letter includes the last page with drawing in the center and signature. "at your disposal. I think Central Park too with be the best place to go...." Church draws a smiling full length bear dancing with a barefoot young woman with robins chirping in the background. " He makes reference to "dancing the Tango" in the letter and perhaps that is the reason he drew this dancing pair. Pencil docketing at lower margin. Condition: slight margin tear at left center fold and mounting residue on verso. Tear at upper right corner. (Inventory #: 5008)