G. W. SMALLEY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 10/13/1880 - HFSID 599

GEORGE WASHBURN SMALLEY
Smalley handwrote, signed and dated this letter of introduction for actress Sarah Bernhardt, to be given to former U.S. Attorney General and Minister to Britain Edwards Pierepont, in 1880, with original envelope.
Autograph letter signed: "G. W. Smalley", 1 page, 4 ½ x 7, 1 sheet folded, front and verso. Embossed at top: "Devonshire Club,/St. James, S. W.". 1880 October 13. Addressed to The Hon. Edwards Pierepont". In full: "Dear Mr. Pierepont: This note will reach you through Mlle. Sarah Bernhardt who acquaintance you will be [illegible]. You in American are going [illegible], I hope, a brilliant [illegible] & this brilliant artist, but I shall be much indebted to you for any kindly service you may be disposed to render her for the [illegible] of Yours Ever [illegible]". Lightly toned and creased. Folded once and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition. Accompanied by: Original envelope, addressed on front in Smalley's hand: "Favoured by Mlle. Sarah Bernhardt/The Hon. Edwards Pierepont/[paraph]/New York/G. W. Smalley". With black ink notations in unknown hand. Embossed on flap: "Devonshire/ Club". Lightly toned, creased and soiled. EDWARDS PIEREPONT was U. S. Attorney General from 1875 to 1876 and Minister to Great Britain from 1876 to 1877. French stage star SARAH BERNHARDT (1844-1923), who was noted for her remarkable voice, emotional acting and unconventional personal life, began her career in 1862 in comic theater and burlesque, and by the 1870s, she was appearing on stages all over Europe. George Washburn Smalley (1833-1916) was a reporter for the New York Tribune and, later, the Times of London. Smalley was a reporter with the Tribune during the American Civil War and founded that paper's office in London, England, where his dandyish ways got him in aristocratic and Tory circles. He later became an American correspondent for the Times from 1895 to 1906. Two items.