[Autograph letter signed from C.A. Appley to Merto Parkis regarding English bloodhounds]

Title: [Autograph letter signed from C.A. Appley to Merto Parkis regarding English bloodhounds]

Author: Appley, C.A.

Publication: Libertyville, Ill., 1904.

Description: Letter in manuscript on letterhead from English bloodhound breeder C.A. Appley of Libertyville, Illinois to prospective buyer Merto Parkis of Michigan City, Indiana, September 29, 1904 (1 sheet; 8.5 x 11 inches). Also included is an additional sheet with printed photos of Dr. Jack and Appley's other bloodhounds (8 x 12 inches, folded to 4 x 8 inches), as well as the postmarked envelope in which the letter was sent, with printed return address and bloodhound images, and recipient name and address in manuscript (4.25 x 9 inches). The letter and additional sheet have light toning and mailing folds, and the envelope has moderate toning and loss at one end where it was opened. Very Good.

Appley makes his sales pitch in his letter, stating, "I am a breeder of the old time man tralers [sic]. I have 2 or 3 very fine dog pups for sale, 3 months old, at $20 and $25 each. These pups are the genuine English Blud [sic] Hound, highly pedagreed [sic] and regesterd [sic]. These pups are sired by Dr. Jack, one of the gratest [sic] man tralers [sic] in the state. I paid $300 for him." The header of the letterhead notes that Appley's stock is bred from J.L. Winchell's and Rockwood Kennels. The return address on the envelope reveals an interesting surprise: Not only was Appley a bloodhound breeder, but he was also superintendent of the Lake County Insane Asylum! A fascinating example of correspondence by an early 20th-century breeder of working dogs.