Ink signature, “Henry W. Longfellow 1880,” affixed to the end of an autograph letter by Longfellow, three sides of two adjoining pages, 4.5 x 7, dated November 12, 1860. Letter, to noted illustrator and painter F. O. C. Darley reads, in part: “The main business has not been for a moment neglected. I have been twice to Whipple, and should have been again, but for the rainy week we have had. The report thus far is; body and books successful: face not satisfactory to Gods or men. Hawthorne and Emerson have already sat for you, but not with entire success. I told Mr. Whipple you were in haste. He is kind, but slow in the harness. Next time I will put a snapper on the whip. I expect to see Hawthorne and Emerson today: and will tell them how important it is.” In very good condition, with tape and toning to edges, signature affixed over clipped area, pencil notation to bottom of last page, a single tack hole, and scattered toning. Accompanied by an unsigned carte-de-visite of an artist’s portrait of Longfellow. Darley is well-known for his illustrations in works by well-known authors, including James Fenimore Cooper, Charles Dickens, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Washington Irving, and Longfellow. RR Auction COA.
