Author and lexicographer (1758–1843) who published the first comprehensive dictionary of American English. ALS signed “N. Webster,” one page, 7.75 x 9.75, January 14, 1833. Letter to Elihu White. In full: “When I committed the management of my Elementary Spelling Books to White, Gallaher & White, I was not apprised of the design of the company to dissolve partnership—but you and Mr Gallaher are still my agents unless the power has been forfeited by failure. You cannot unless by surrounding it to me divest yourselves of the power entrusted to you, nor can you transfer it to another. The present firm of N & J T White are not in law my attorneys, but White, Gallaher & White, or the survivor or survivors of them. Although N & J T White do the business, they can act only as your agents or suitors, & you are responsible for their acts. Now as some part of their management is not in my view, according to our agreement, I am not satisfied to have the business remain in its present state, without some further stipulations & assurances that the business will be better conducted. I have taken counsel in the case, & although I can revoke the powers of attorney when I please, I do not wish to do it, if we can agree to stipulations which shall be more satisfactory.” In very good condition, with partial separations to mailing folds, light toning, and some chipping to edges.
Webster first published The Elementary Spelling Book—a revised version of a spelling book he had written in 1783—in 1829, and it became one of the most important educational books of the century. By 1837 it had sold fifteen million copies, and it continued to be used in schools for decades. In addition to his contributions to education and the formalization of the English language, Webster was a shrewd businessman, a quality evident in this letter. He was one of the strongest voices in American copyright reform to protect his intellectual property and negotiated generous royalty terms with his publishers. Superb content directly concerning the publication of one of Webster’s influential works on the English language. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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