LUCY AIKIN - AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED 06/17/1824 - HFSID 72912
Price: $140.00
LUCY AIKIN
She discusses her mother's and her own search for a permanent home after her
father's death.
Autograph Note signed: "L Aikin", 1p, 7¼x2¼. Hampstead
(England), 1824 June 17. No addressee. In full: "My dear mother
is quite well, & beautifully patient and cheerful under the discomforts of
lodging for the present & the threats of future removal, which would be a
serious grievance indeed to most women at her time of life. She is anxious for
nothing but that I should recover the powers of usefulness & enjoyment. With
our kindest united love, believe me ever yours". And on verso: ...
"afraid we shall be obliged to pass another winter before we can accomplish a
removal; but the hope of one will be a great benefit in itself. At present we
have the satisfaction of being under the same roof with the Coltmans, & I
hope we shall now have more enjoyment of their society than we have yet found.
Mr. Colltman, who was very unwell at the time of our arrival, but is now
recovered; & the death of his sister, which has detained them for several
days in town, reliees them from a state of painful expectations; for all hope
had long been over." Lucy Aikin (1781-1864) was part of a very
talented English family. Her father, John Aikin, was a medical doctor and
influential essayist and biographer. Her brother, Arthur Aikin, was a noted
chemist and mineralogist. Her aunt, Anna Letitia Barbauld, was a poet, essayist
and author of widely used children's primers, a woman whose outspoken radicalism
offended English mores of the time but who has been rediscovered by modern
feminist scholars. Lucy Aikin herself was best known as a historian. She
published biographies of British monarchs Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I,
and of other prominent persons. She helped preserve the memory of Anna Letitia
Barbauld, Romantic poet and social reformer who was influential until her
poem 1811, opposing Britain's war against Napoleon, turned opinion
against her. Lucy Aikin never married. She lived with her parents at Hampstead
until after her father's death in 1822. Unevenly trimmed. Slightly soiled.
Originally clipped from a letter with intention of preserving the signature
side. Mounting paper remains on verso. But handwriting on verso is Aikin's also
and on the same theme. Overall, fine condition.
Following an offer submission, users will be contacted at their account email address within 48 hours. Our response will be to accept your offer, decline your offer, or send you a final counteroffer. All offers can be viewed within the "Offer Review" area of your HistoryForSale account. Please review the Make Offer Terms prior to submitting an offer.
If you have not received an offer acceptance or counter-offer email within 24-hours please check your spam/junk email folder.