2 autograph letters signed.
8vo. Together 3 pp. on 2 bifolia. One with autograph address.
€ 2,500.00
To the editor of the Boston Traveller: "I send you the promised Christmas story to-day. I had to make it a little longer than I intended; these things get the better of me sometimes, but I suppose you will not object to this sort of fault. If you need it condensed however, be so kind as to let me do it. I don't like to have anyone else tinker my work: do you? [...]" (14 Nov. 1882).
To a Pittsfield lady, sending her a shad, or Alosa herring: "This is to introduce Mr. S. Shad: a Finnish gentleman whom I hear you have never met. He is a person of old family, though rather scaly; but he has always been in the swim; he has explored unknown depths, and has a great deal of Attic salt in his constitution, and much good taste. He needs to be accomodated with a cold bath all night, and martyred like St. Anthony in the morning. If you should alleviate his woes then with the crΓͺme de la crΓͺme, or even the milk of human unkindness, poured upon his cremated body, you will find him grateful (to the palate) [...] I trust you will be able to recommend him to Pittsfield society, as he has long been an important constituent of the Connecticut legislature [...]".
Each with 2 small strips of old mounting tape on verso. The letter of 1882 a little brownstained.