Product Details

Arts in Letters Weekly Historical Letters

Learn more about the lives of history's great creators by reading their own words! Every week for over four years Arts in Letters has been sending subscribers letters written by historical figures in the fields of Science, Literature, Art, or Music along with biographical and historical info. Choose your plan to begin your journey through history!
  • Letters are transcribed into English and printed in an appropriate font on vintage-looking paper for a more authentic feel.
  • We want you to be transported to the time and place in the letter so we research the people and events, find portaits, illustrations, and inspirational quotes and include those as part of your weekly packet.
  • Makes a unique and thoughtful gift for the history lover in your life!
  • NEW!! Now available as a DIGITAL subscription. Choose the DIGITAL OPTION to received the weekly mailing as a downloadable PDF that you can read on your electronic device or print out.

Arts in Letters Historical Letters - Grand SLAM! is not available, but you'll love these other boxes!

Past Boxes from Arts in Letters

SLAM Music Ludwig van Beethoven to his brothers in 1802
SLAM Music Ludwig van Beethoven to his brothers in 1802

Readers learned about one of the most important times in Beethoven's life in this week's letter and the accompanying background profile. Pictured is the first page of the included Background and Bio that is a regular feature of the Arts in Letters weekly packets, all the info we can fit into a letter envelope!

SLAM Science Albert Einstein to Erwin Schrodinger 1939
SLAM Science Albert Einstein to Erwin Schrodinger 1939

Ever heard of Schrodinger's cat? It was a thought experiment devised by Austrian physicist Schrodinger, a friend and colleague of Albert Einstein. This week's Science packet included letters from both of these great thinkers to each other. For every letter we look up the people, events, and topics mentioned to give you an insider's understanding of the letter. Shown below are the Letter References for this week's mailing, along with an illustration of the cat problem.

SLAM Literature Ezra Pound to T. E. Lawrence 1920
SLAM Literature Ezra Pound to T. E. Lawrence 1920

What could American writer Ezra Pound have in common with 'Lawrence of Arabia,' T. E. Lawrence? In this week's featured letter Pound responds to Lawrence's request for advice in his own uniquely expressive way.

Virginia Woolf to Clive Bell 1919
Virginia Woolf to Clive Bell 1919

Much is made of writer Virginia Woolf’s struggles with mental illness, so we thought we’d choose a letter from a time when life seemed to be pretty good for her. This letter is to her brother-in-law Clive, the husband of her older sister Vanessa Bell [1879-1961,] referred to as ‘Nessa’ in the letter.

Paul Cézanne to Émile Bernard, 1904
Paul Cézanne to Émile Bernard, 1904

It’s interesting that the relationship between Cézanne and Bernard seems to be that of master and pupil, or at least mentor and student, since at the time the letters were written Bernard’s style was fully developed and he had already produced the works he would be best known for while Cézanne’s style was still evolving.

Clara Schumann to Johannes Brahms 1866
Clara Schumann to Johannes Brahms 1866

This letter packet features a letter written by Clara Wieck Schumann to friend and fellow musician, composer Johannes Brahms. Get a peek into their relationship and into the Classical music scene in Europe during the Romantic Era.

Michelangelo Buonarotti to Giovan Francesco Fattucci 1524
Michelangelo Buonarotti to Giovan Francesco Fattucci 1524

Money, money, money, even great artists can have concerns about money. It should be no surprise that the most successful artists are often the best businessmen, receiving high fees as much for their negotiation skills as for their artistic talents. This week’s letter gives us some insights into the business side of art in the Renaissance era, specifically Michelangelo’s dealings with the Medici Popes.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to Nedezhda von Meck, 1879
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to Nedezhda von Meck, 1879

One of Tchaikovsky’s most important relationships was with a person that he would never meet. Beginning in 1876, he was in regular written contact with a woman who would become his patroness and one of his closest confidantes. This letter package features a letter from the composer to his patroness, along with background information on each person and their lives, and totals 3 double-sided pages.

Percy Bysshe Shelley to William Godwin
Percy Bysshe Shelley to William Godwin

This week’s letter is from an idealistic and rebellious young man seeking to make connection with one of his personal idols. Their subsequent relationship would have a great impact on both of their lives.

J. C. Leyendecker to Ial Radom 1950
J. C. Leyendecker to Ial Radom 1950

This week's subject is Art! Featured is a letter from legendary illustrator J. C. Leyendecker responding to a request for career advice. Leyendecker created many iconic images of Santa Claus and the Baby New Year for magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post.

MUSIC Leopold Mozart to his wife Anna Maria 1774
MUSIC Leopold Mozart to his wife Anna Maria 1774

This week’s letter from Leopold to his wife Anna Maria was written as he was with Wolfgang in Munich, Germany and she was at home in Salzburg, Austria with daughter Nannerl (Maria Anna.)