Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897 to Eliza Cook

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02570.57 Author/Creator: Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897 Place Written: Near Marietta, Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 June 1864 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy

Cooks wants to set the record straight on "the house 'I loved so much'." He feels he has been straightforward and has told Eliza everything of his past indiscretions. Says he will again clear things up when he returns. He writes, "…nothing will afford me more pleasure than to take you in my lap and all alone in our little room tell it all to you truthfully and fully. If you wish it I will tell you all that occurred while I was in Texas before the war and will answer all questions your curiosity may prompt." Follows with a suggestion for Eliza to work on her letter writing, especially her spelling and penmanship.

Cooke, Gustave, fl. 1861-1865

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