Description:

William Cowper ALS: "be so good (considering my Deafness) to write your answer"

An autograph letter signed by celebrated poet and hymnodist, William Cowper. 1p, measuring 6.125" x 7.75", N.p. [London], dated April 17, 1752. Signed "Your most Obedt humble Servt, Wm Cowper". Twenty-year-old law student William Cowper likely wrote this letter from London, where he was studying at Westminster School. The letter concerns financial matters relating to an "Estate", so Cowper's correspondent was most likely a lawyer, banker, or merchant. In very good condition overall. With toning and isolated edge wear. Expected paper folds, including professionally restored central vertical fold, and horizontal fold with small tear at right edge. A small v-shaped silk patch has been added at top.

The missive shows that even in his youth, Cowper possessed both great tact and self-control: "Sir I did not think it advisable to mention anything last night on the Subject of the unexpected Deposite required lest it shoud get Air…" Cowper was eager to "pay you Interest for the money during the time It is employd for my Service but make good all Costs & Damages occasiond by moving your money and ye deducting or paying Poundage or Charges otherwise accrueing in transacting This Affair … " In a most interesting post-script, the future poet and hymnodist writes: "Sir for ye Reason above be so good (considering my Deafness) to write your answer". 

Contemporary sources do not confirm Cowper's hearing loss, but in the "Works of William Cowper, Esq. Comprising His Poems, Correspondence, and Translations" published in 1836, one of Cowper's letters (written 35 years after this one) described his hearing loss to being underwater in a bath. Cowper wrote to his cousin Lady Harriet Hasketh (1833-1807) on September 29, 1787: "I have a perpetual din in my head, and though I am not deaf, hear nothing aright, neither my own voice, nor that of others. I am under a tub, from which tub accept my best love". Hearing impairment did not prevent Cowper from composing his short and eloquent verses, many of which were later set to music. It was also only one of the many stressors in the poet's life. Family deaths, societal pressures, performance anxiety, and thwarted romances caused episodes of severe depression, and Cowper was institutionalized between 1763 and 1765 after several suicide attempts. The poet discovered religion in between depressive episodes, which alternately soothed and irritated his fragile mental health. His collaboration with curate John Newton (1725-1807) led to the 1779 publication of their Olney Hymns, a collection of 348 hymns emphasizing evangelical tenets like forgiveness, sin, salvation, and damnation. The most famous of these hymns was "Amazing Grace".

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

January 10, 2024 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000