Description:

Henry W. Longfellow to George A. Townsend, Praising His Recent Book

1p, measuring 4.5" x 6.5", Cambridge, Massachusetts, dated February 25, 1880. Addressed to an unnamed recipient, almost certainly George Alfred Townsend, regarding receiving the gift of a book. Boldly signed "Henry W. Longfellow." Accompanied by an engraved portrait of Longfellow. The letter has flattened mail folds, with minor soiling and toning throughout. Mounting residue at the vertical edge on verso. Boldly signed, overall very fine.

The letter reads in full:
"I am much obliged to you for your 'Tales of Chesapeake'. If the book is an 'oyster shell', as you are pleased to term it in your letter, it is one, I am sure, that has pearls in it. I have already found two; 'Herman of Bohemia Manor' and, 'Old St. Mary's'. Thanks, many thanks."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) was an American poet, most famously known for his work entitled "Paul Revere's Ride" and "Evangeline". He taught at both Bowdoin College and Harvard College before retiring from teaching in 1854. He then set about focusing on his writing and moved to live out the rest of his life at George Washington's Revolutionary War Headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Samuel Adams Drake authored and published the book mentioned in this letter in 1875. He worked as a journalist and writer before joining a Kentucky state militia in the Civil War. He rose to the position of brigadier general of militia in 1863, survived the rest of the war, and went on to continue his literary career.

George Alfred Townsend (1841-1914) was an American novelist and journalist who worked as a war correspondent during the Civil War, often writing under the pen name "Gath". He was one of the youngest war correspondents at the time, and in 1865 covered the assassination of President Lincoln and the aftermath for the "New York World" newspaper. His reports were later collected and published as a book entitled, "The Life, Crime, and Capture of John Wilkes Booth." He would go on to publish several other books and short stories, including "The Entailed Hat", "Tales of the Chesapeake", and "Katy of Catoctin".

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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