LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Apr Books, Manuscripts & Autographs #658  / 

25578

Mary W. Shelley ALS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Mary W. Shelley ALS
<B>Mary W. Shelley Autograph Letter Signed,</B></I> nd, declining a request to make an engraving from an unfinished portrait of "Mr. Shelley". The letter is matted and framed, displaying pages two and three to the right of a black and white photo of a portrait of Mary Shelley. The photo measures 3.75" x 4.75". To the left of the photo is a photocopy of page one of the letter. The mat exposes 4.625" x 6.75" of the copy of page one. The original page one is on the verso of page two. The visible portion of pages two and three measure 6.875" x 8.875". The letter has not been inspected outside of the frame. The gold frame measures 17.5" x 29.5".<BR><BR>Transcription follows:<BR><BR><I>33 Somerset N, Portsmouth</B></I> (?)<BR><I>Sunday</B></I><BR><BR><I>Dear Sir,</B></I><BR><BR><I>I am sorry to have it only in my power to reply that the portrait of Mr. Shelley to which you allude is by no means a good one: -- It is the size of life, in oils-but unfortunately very unfinished-there are however several very striking points of resemblance, and I indulge in hope that when I can afford it a first rate engraver might succeed in making a good print.</B></I> end of page <BR><BR><I>from it-I do not know anything so disagreeable or unjust as the too frequent custom of prefixing prints unworthy of the person meant to be represented-an in this case, there would be great danger,</B></I> words crossed out <I>that even Mr. Keath</B></I> ? <I>could not succeed. I should be averse therefore to having it done unless by him, & unless it were in my power to cancel it altogether if I did not approve of it-</B></I> end of page <BR><BR><I>If it had been otherwise, if the picture had been one</B></I> "from" crossed out <I>which would only have needed fidelity and care, I should have been very happy to have furnished you with the opportunity of making an engraving. Be assured that it is not necessary to apologize to me for an application on this subject-still less from a friend of Mr. _____</B></I> (?) <I>-I believe also that Mr. T.</B></I> (?) <I>Hunt</B></I> (?) <I>is a common acquaintance.</B></I><BR><BR><I>I am ________ ________</B></I><BR><I>Mary Shelley.</B></I> <BR><I>From the Betty Bennett Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Framed (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>) <BR><BR><B>Importan
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