Hunt, R.N. Carew (ed.).
Unpublished Letters from the Collection of John Wild, selected and edited by R.N. Carew Hunt. First Series.
New York; The Dial Press: 1930. An interesting selection of original letters of 17th-early 19th century notables, drawn from the huge and remarkable collection which John Wild assembled between about 1820 and 1855. Writers include Christopher Wren, Pope, Isaac Watts, Captain Cook, Mrs. Garrick, Lady Hamilton, Byron, Shelley, Queen Caroline, Maria Edgeworth, Voltaire, Goethe and others. Although these are of relatively minor historical or literary importance, they provide interesting sidelights of the quirky sort- Byron complaining to a steward that he wants some "real good Arquebusade in long bottles, such as you sent me at first, and not this d-d trash which I return", and adding that he will let the steward draw on his account in 100 crown increments, as to allow him to draw a larger (uneven) figure "deranges my accounts -being no great arithmetician". There is also a young Shelley, not yet come into his inheritance, offering to give a bookseller a promissory note of 250 L for every 100 L worth of music books he is willing to send now, payable once the inheritance comes through. Hardcover. 6"x8.5", 234 pages, some letters reproduced in fold-out facsimiles. Spine darkened, but otherwise a fine, partially uncut, copy.
$30.00
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