Abolitionist, women's rights activist, and writer (1802–1880). ALS signed “L. Maria Child,” one page both sides, 3.75 x 6, January 31, 1860. Letter to Mrs. Tuttle. In full: “I have been informed that you have a great liking for autographs. I wish to sell the letter, which Capt. John Brown wrote to me, from his prison in Virginia. It is very precious to me; but I am willing to part with it, for the sake of sending the proceeds to his widow. I have other autographs of Capt. Brown, consisting merely of a few lines, which I would like to sell for the benefit of the colored families, whose relatives were executed or killed in Virginia.” In fine condition, with a trivial mounting remnant to the left edge. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.
Lydia Maria Child wrote a letter of support to fellow abolitionist John Brown while he was in prison in Virginia awaiting execution, having been convicted of crimes relating to his notorious raid on Harpers Ferry on October 16, 1859, which helped to precipitate the Civil War. Brown sent her a reply and less than two months after he was hanged on December 2, 1859, she offered to sell the letter to Mrs. Tuttle, an autograph collector, to benefit Brown's widow.
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