Letter and Drawing by George Washington Carver Sent to Henry Ford, 1941

Summary

George Washington Carver and Henry Ford became friends in the late 1930s, drawn together by a mutual interest in developing new industrial products from the fruits of the soil. Carver's warm letters to Ford, Clara Ford, and Ford's secretary Frank Campsall speak to the genuine depth of the friendship. Carver often gives Ford advice on research avenues to pursue and suggests recipes for natural health.

George Washington Carver and Henry Ford became friends in the late 1930s, drawn together by a mutual interest in developing new industrial products from the fruits of the soil. Carver's warm letters to Ford, Clara Ford, and Ford's secretary Frank Campsall speak to the genuine depth of the friendship. Carver often gives Ford advice on research avenues to pursue and suggests recipes for natural health.

Artifact

Letter (Correspondence)

Date Made

28 March 1941

Subject Date

28 March 1941

Collection Title

Henry Ford Office Papers 

 On Exhibit

On Loan - California African American Museum (Los Angeles, CA)

Object ID

64.167.285.27

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Material

Ink
Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Drawing (Image-making)
Handwriting

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)
Brown

Dimensions

Height: 11 in  (letter)

Width: 8.5 in  (letter)

: 9.625 in

Inscriptions

Handwritten below drawing: My great inspiring friend, Mr. Ford:--: / This is just to extend to you and Mrs. / Ford greetings and to say that the little / crude sketch and the greetings were both / made with ink extracted from the bark of / the elm tree, (Ulnus Americanus). / I am so gratefully yours, / Geo. W. Carver.

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