RICHARD MONCKTON (1ST BARON HOUGHTON) MILNES - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 4/1 - HFSID 73110

RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES, 1ST BARON HOUGHTON

The British author and literary patron sends his wishes for a family friend to come visit, signing his name in black ink

Autograph Letter signed: "Richard M. Milnes" in black ink, 1p front and verso, 4½x6¼. Surrey, England. In full: "Dear Madam d'Andrein - We have little hope of the Count - but can we not induce you to spend next week - your holiday week, here with us? My mother is very feeble & would much enjoy seeing you again &…we all agree in this. The distance is really noting - you get with the train at Eastern station at 9 o'clock - or at the [illegible] afternoon at 3 & here at 4….Believe us all, yours very truly". Richard Monckton Milnes, 1st Baron Houghton (1809-1885) was an English poet, literature patron, and politician. While attending Cambridge, Milnes joined the socially and artistically progressive Apostles Club, which included members such as Alfred Tennyson and Arthur Henry Hallam. They involved themselves in issues such as copyright and the establishments of juvenile reformatories. His early work, mostly reflective poetry reminiscent of Wordsworth, led many people to regard him as one of the most promising writers of his generation, with books such as Memorials of a Tour in Some Parts of Greece (1834), Memorials of a Residence on the Continent and Historical Poems (1838), Poems of Many Years (1840), and Palm Leaves (1844) earning him recognition. However, Milnes' legacy was his standing as a generous and discriminating patron of writers; he published Life, Letters, and Literary Remains of John Keats (1848), helped Tennyson secure a pension, and popularized the writing of Ralph Waldo Emerson in England. Since his death, he has become known for his massive collection of erotic literature, including the first serious collection of the works of the Marquis de Sade. Normal mailing folds. Toned. Creased and stained throughout. Corners rounded. Small tears along edges. Otherwise, fine condition.