Letter: Margaret Bancroft to Milton Bancroft, May 7, 1900

(Postmark: SANDY SPRING MAY 7 2 P M] 1900 MD.)

Milton Bancroft Esq. 30 East 14^th St. New York, New York.

Mr Milton Bancroft, wishes to announce to his friends that he has removed his studio from 23 & 14th St to 30 East 14th St rooms 34 and 35.

in '95 there was a grand rise in the value of stamps as well as the discovery of many new varieties - I found that we had many valuable U.S. stamps, and by chance I had saved many of the varieties without knowing it - just recognized at sight that the stamps were different in some way and think them on that side [large?]. He quite revived my old interest in our collection, and I am saving harder than ever. It says it is wise to [oan?] every stamp that comes your way - what wisdom thee has - remember how I laughed at thee for saving those 2^₵ [red?] U.S. A few days ago John sold $15 of 2^₵ [red?] American stamps because in the last year [thy?] had discovered a slight variation in the issue. [He?] says that frequently[it is [years?].

Norwood - May 7^th, 1900.

My darling -

Thee would be perfectly delighted if thee could see how much better I look already - this country air full of apple blossoms and the smell of growing wheat has gotten all through me, and I feel already like a different person - what will I be when thee sees me in a few weeks, fairly radiating health. I was dreadfully ^tired Saturday and Sunday but this morning have been doing all sorts of things, and don't feel a bit fatigued. It certainly was the right move, and I feel that thee will work with more joy and result since thee knows that I am well and loving thee every moment of the day. We seem to be together despite the distance and I talk away to thee, or rather think away to thee all the time. Lots of old friends have been in to call and have asked most

especially for thee - John Bentley in particular. Sandy Spring has two upheavals at present - one a proposed "National Bank", and the other a dispute over the [Abert?] property which has been bought by affluent people and they are quarreling over possession - was there ever such a place. The country is perfectly lovely though the apple blossoms are out of bloom, or going out of bloom. Mrs. Moore spoke of Dr. [Ebrey?]'s portrait h as a [?] thing so the old man has evidently not [lacked?] water as we thought possible. He comes down here to call every Sunday after noon and Mrs. M. does hate regularities. I think [thee] will enjoy talking to the old man while painting him, and he will simply falll in love with thee. Mrs. M. also says that Mr. Warner has not been at all well since his return from Cuba & is probably holding off till Fall

and cold weather comes. She thinks it would be all right to advise him of the change of [Studio. I am reading "The Makers of Florence" - [thee?] and Mrs. Moore are to go to Italy for a Summer soon to see the country, and prospect for our future residence there. The Dr. wont let me drive so I [potter?] around the place for exercise and John [Stockett?] and I talk gardening etc. I do love to garden. Jean's devotion to me is great - it is so manly and yet he is so loyal to Mrs. Moore - he has good stuff in him, and I am moved to recognize that the best part of him begins with a B.

Oh what does thee think John Townsend was here yesterday and I found he was a stamp collector and we talked stamps all the afternoon - it appears that

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