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John Keats. Autograph letter signed ("John Keats"), to Mrs. Jeffrey. Honiton [4 or 5 May 1818]....
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Description
John Keats. Autograph letter signed ("John Keats"), to Mrs. Jeffrey. Honiton [4 or 5 May 1818].1 page, 8vo (184 x 117 mm), on a bifolium, with integral address leaf addressed in Keats' holograph, "Mrs. Jeffrey / Teignmouth." Docketed on address panel in another hand "For William." Housed in a quarter morocco folding case.
In full: "My dear Mrs. Jeffrey, My Brother has borne his Journey thus far remarkably well. I am too sensible of your anxiety for us not to send this by Chaise back for you. Give our goodbyes again to Marrian and Fanny. Believe me we shall bear you in Mind and that I shall write soon. Yours very truly, John Keats."
After a long stay in Teignmouth (five months for Tom, two for John), the Keats brothers return to Well Walk, Hampstead. The exact date of their departure is uncertain, but it was certainly after 3 May (when Keats sent a letter to Reynolds from Teignmouth-the "Mansion of Many Apartments" letter), and it was long enough before 11 May for them to make it back to London, on which date Keats dined with Haydon. Rollins suggests 4 or 5 May, 1818.
This letter was sent soon after their departure to Margaret Jeffery, the mother of Marrian (or Marianne, or Maryann) and Sarah Jeffery, two young women with whom the Keats brothers became acquainted while staying at Teignmouth. The letter was written at Honiton, some 32 miles, via Exeter, northeast of Teignmouth. Keats sends this letter to Mrs. Jeffery to thank her for her solicitude regarding Tom's health: "My Brother has borne his Journey thus far remarkably well. I am too sensible of your anxiety for us not to send this by the Chaise back for you." A VERY FINE LETTER.
EXTREMELY RARE: Keats autograph letters are rarely encountered on the market. According to online auction databases only three autograph letters by Keats have appeared at auction over the past forty years.
Condition: Some minor toning; a few pale spots; address leaf with circular hole from where seal removed and one corner clipped; a little adhesive residue on address leaf along hinge fold; lightly creased at folds.
References: Rollins, The Letters of John Keats, 2 volumes, 1958, 81. From the William A. Strutz Library.
View all of [The William A. Strutz Library ]
Auction Info
2024 June 27 Important English and American Literature: The William A. Strutz Library, Part I, Rare Books Signature® Auction #6295 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2024
27th
Thursday
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