Letter handwritten and signed by Frances Elizabeth Barrow "Aunt Fanny" (1822-1894).
no place: Not published, 1867. First Edition. Unbound. Octavo (8vo). Very good condition. Item #005105
3 page letter written entirely in the hand of the author known as Aunt Fanny. Addressed to another author, Donald Grant Mitchell (1822 - 1908), who wrote under the pseudonym "Ik Marvel." Dated Feb 12th 1867. It reads "Thanks dear Mr Mitchell, for the excellent likeness of my well beloved Ik. Marvel, and the gracious words written beneath the same. It was brought to me by Mr. Humpford, and when he saw how right royally I was pleased, his own good-natured face glowed resplendent, with the consciousness of having done an especially good action. Ik Marvel is a right good fellow. I believe he deserves the wife he possesses, and writing this I have written my best and uttermost. Will you please give the enclosed to my dear darling whose true lover I am. I do not dare to say this to her, but I don't mind you. Your Aunt Tabitha made sentimental confidences to you, and why shouldn't your Aunt Fanny? Pray tell your children, that if ever they forget, or stop loving me, I shall burn my nightcaps, and that would be "awful papers" in these hard times, slang or no slang. Oh! How dare I write that to so refined an author? It is because I am clean past all hope of ever being the like, and so I get as far as possible the other way. My pen knows my desperation. I have admirable thoughts, which like the bees "hastening to the sweet blossoms," come crowding to my pen, but the contrary thing tumbles them upside down upon my paper like a kitten in a fit, and I am left lamenting. One of these days I shall send you my picture, but it will only be a trick to get an autograph letter. Please "make a note" at least of this almost imperceptible hint, and believe me 'wet[?] days + all your admiring + faithful 'Aunt Fanny'." Aunt Fanny letters are quite uncommon. This is a fine example, with a nice association to Mitchell (then 45 years of age).
Price: $500.00