Literature

Rare letter from Elizabeth Barrett Browning, forwarding proofs to “Cornelius Mathews, at New York”

534. Elizabeth Barrett Browning Autograph Letter Signed. Very scarce third-person ALS signed within

the text as “Miss Barrett,” one page, 3.5 x 2.5, June 2, 1844. Handwritten letter addressed from her London home at 50 Wimpole Street, in full: “Miss Barrett presents her compliments to Mess’rs Wiley & Putnam, & will be obliged by their forwarding the accompanying letter (containing proofs) as before, to Mr. Cornelius Mathews, at New York.” In very good condition, with staining, trimmed edges, and surface loss to the upper left corner affecting the word “Miss.” Starting Bid $200

536. Samuel L. Clemens Signature. Ink signature,

“Truly yours, S. L. Clemens, Mark Twain,” on an off-white 3.5 x 2 card. In fine condition. A desirable twice-signed example. Starting Bid $200 537. Charles Dickens Signature. Ink signature, “Faithfully

yours, Charles Dickens,” on an off-white 4.5 x 2 slip affixed to a slightly larger scrapbook page. In very good to fine condition, with a central fold and light stains. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from JSA. Starting Bid $200

Dumas quotes from a soldier’s grave

538. Alexandre Dumas, pere Autograph Quotation Signed. Prolific French

writer (1802–1870) known for such classics as The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers. AQS in French, signed “Al. Dumas,” one page, 5.25 x 8.25, no date. Dumas writes, in full (translated): “Inscription taken from a cemetery in Sebastopol: United for the victory / Reunited in the evening / Of the soldier is the glory / Of the soldier is the more.” In fine condition, with a small stain, and a rusty paperclip impression to the top edge. Starting Bid $200

“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall”

539. Robert Frost Autograph Quotation Signed. AQS

on an off-white 5.75 x 4.5 album page. Frost pens a line from his poem ‘Mending Wall,’ in full: “Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, Robert Frost.” In fine condition, with light edge toning and scattered light foxing, all easily matted out. First published in 1914’s North of Boston, ‘Mending Wall’ has become one of the most-anthologized and studied pieces of American poetry. Starting Bid $200

Kerouac pays his taxes— over $5K to the IRS on April 14, 1959

540. Jack Kerouac Signed Check. Personal check, 6.25 x

2.75, filled out and signed by Kerouac, “Jack Kerouac,” payable to Director of Internal Revenue for $5639.72, April 14, 1959. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

“I shall consider everything which you are good enough to do for him as a personal favor to myself”

541. Marquis de Sade Autograph Letter

Signed. Notorious French novelist and playwright (1740-1814) whose violent sexual escapades and depravity-infused works gave rise to the word ‘sadism.’ ALS in French, signed “Sade,” one page, 6 x 8, February 2, 1793. Handwritten letter to Citizen Gauthier, in full (translated): “Citizen d’Anetoville who is good enough to undertake my business with you will explain to you, my dear lawyer, what it is all about. This very upright gentleman who is good enough to make such a long trip practically just for me will, I hope, bring back from you all that I expect. I urgently request that during his stay in your city you render him every assistance within your power, and I shall consider everything which you are good enough to do for him as a personal favor to myself.” Addressed on the reverse in de Sade’s hand. In fine condition. Starting Bid $300

“My country, ‘tis of thee, / Sweet land of liberty, / Of thee I sing”

542. Samuel Francis Smith Autograph Manuscript

Signed. Highly desirable handwritten poem on an off-white 10 x 8 sheet, signed at the conclusion in ink, “S. F. Smith, Written in 1823.” Smith pens the four original verses of “America” in their entirety, beginning: “My country, ‘tis of thee, / Sweet land of liberty, / Of thee I sing; / Land where my fathers died, / Land of the pilgrims’ pride, / From every mountain side, / Let freedom ring.” In fine condition, with scattered small stains. Starting Bid $200

543. Voltaire Letter Signed. LS in French, signed “Voltaire,” one page, 3.75 x 6.25, July 15, 1776. Letter written from his home at Ferney, lamenting financial losses caused by the sinking of a ship. In full (translated): “I place into your hands, Monsieur, a small act of atonement for the breaches that I have caused and that I made a great deal larger before the end of the year. It is no easy thing to build a city when one loses thirty thousand francs on the ship Carnatic. I am quite afraid that you have lost something there also, but I am far more grieved to have lost Monsieur Turgot.” In fine condition.

In 1759, Voltaire left Geneva and moved to the commune Ferney near the French-Swiss border. He lived there for the remaining twenty years of his life before returning to Paris, where he died in 1778. So influential was Voltaire during his residency there—he built the local church, set up potteries, watch-making shops, and theatres—that after the French Revolution, the town was renamed ‘Ferney-Voltaire’ in his honor. Starting Bid $300

544. Walt Whitman

Signature. An off-white 3.75 x 2.25 card signed in fountain pen by Walt Whitman, who below adds a few lines regarding his 1882 work ‘Specimen Days and Collect’—”’Specimen Days’ autobiograph complete prose writings etc (one vol) will be out 15th—Rees Welsh & Co: Philadelphia, publisher.” Double-matted and framed with an artistic portrait of Whitman to an overall size of 13 x 13 x 17.5. In fine condition, with some wear to the frame. Starting Bid $200