American author and editor (1837–1920) best known as the editor of the influential periodical Atlantic Monthly from 1871 to 1881 and as the author of the novel The Rise of Silas Lapham (1885) and the short story “Editha” (1905). ALS signed “W. D. Howells,” two pages, 5 x 8, Atlantic Monthly letterhead, January 31, 1899[?]. Howells writes to Mrs. Jewett (author Sarah Orne Jewett, 1849–1909). In 1869 one of Jewett’s first stories was accepted for publication in the Atlantic Monthly by Howells, who was then its assistant editor. In part: “I had heard the report that you wrote those things in the Library Table…. Of course it is annoying to you, and I shall take both pains and pleasure in contradicting it. I am glad of this occasion to assure you that even if you had written these paragraphs, you could not have written down my admiration for your note and beautiful gift….” In good condition, with toning, light scattered soiling, wrinkling, a few tiny chips, and tears and separations (stabilized by allover silking to both sides of sheets). RRAuction COA.
