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David Byrd • Catalogue Raisonné
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https://cdn.panopticoncr.com/davibyr001/archive_uploads/docs/emhvtrim/Letter Transcript 095.pdf
A framed photo of young David Byrd that was cut out of a newspaper, possibly related to a drawing contest.
Letter 95
David Byrd to Eva Byrd, August 8, 1940
A letter written by David Byrd in Springfield, Illinois, to his mother, Eva Byrd, in Brooklyn, NY. David has left the Cantrall home (foster family #2) and has started living with his grandmother. He desperately wants to come to New York, if only his mother will agree. (One of Byrd’s memory paintings depicts the difficulties of life in the Cantrall family home. P18)
Transcript
Thursday 8, '40
Dear Mom,
I got your letter this morning and was sure glad to hear from you.
I never got along with Mrs. Cantrall very well so I’m staying with Grandma now
I’m getting along alright
Weldon was at camp in Wisconsin for two weeks and he is still living with the Cantralls.
I sure like to come to New York and I believe I’d like it a lot. I givin up going until I got your [letter] because I didn’t hear from you.
I’m glad Mary finally got to do what she wanted to do most.
Carl still lives in Springfield and is working for the Checker Cab Co.
—page 2—
I shore is true about Carl getting married and he shore got one nice looking wife.
You better watch Mary. Sadie shore can play the piano and she has to wear glasses now.
I sold my other bike, but I bought me another one.
I write later.
Awful glad to hear
with love David
PS Please write to Emily she’s been so kind to us.
Record last updated September 16, 2024. Please note the catalogue is an evolving project and continually updated with new information that best reflects David Byrd's legacy.
Citation: Isaacson, Jody and Jessica Farrell. "David Byrd to Eva Byrd, August 8, 1940 (Letter 95)." In David Byrd Catalogue Raisonné. Sidney Center, NY: David Byrd Estate. www.davidbyrdcatalogue.org/correspondence/entry.php?id=96 (accessed on September 29, 2026).