ALS signed “L. M. Alcott,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.25 x 5.5, January 23 [1870s]. Letter to Mr. Joule. In full: “I return the copy of Mr. Ripley’s notice with the only correction it made. If he has little room to spare why not strike out the two journeys to Europe? There is nothing of public interest in so common an experience, & my trips were neither of them in any way remarkable. That is the only suggestion I have to make.” In fine condition, with slight mounting remnants to reverse of second page of letter. Accompanied by an illustrated copy of Little Women from 1880. Book is housed in a custom-made red-clothed clamshell box. Since its founding in 1850, George Ripley edited and wrote for the distinguished Harper’s Magazine, critiquing some of the finest writers of the day. It seems that Ripley made a correction to a submission from Alcott, and recommended making cuts as he had “little room to spare”; claiming that her two trips to Europe were not “in any way remarkable,” she recommends striking those. Based on this comment, this letter can be dated to the early 1870s, as she visited Europe first in 1870 and again in 1871. An interesting glimpse into the editorial process of the influential American author. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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