WESTLAND (JOHN) MARSTON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 09/21/1862 - HFSID 73062

JOHN WESTLAND MARSTON
The Victorian era poet and playwright arranges to purchase cartes de visite with his image from photographer Ogden Watkins.
Autograph Letter signed: "Westland Marston", 2p, 4½x7 with blank integral leaf. London, 1862 September 21. To Ogden Watkins Esq", in full: "I am truly sorry to have missed you last night. It was only by a short time as I was at home by nine o'clock to receive my friends. Pray make another trial of me any Tuesday evening when you may have leisure. Many thaks for the cartes de visite. They are all admirable, alike for likeness, ease and expression. The standing figure and the one with the book are perhaps a little superior to the third which (though I like it much) my wife pronounces a trifle too stern. I should fancy they would have some sale if shown to the public and I should be glad to know if they can be purchased that I may procure some for distribution amongst my friends and relatives. Believe me my dear Sir, your obliged and faithful". (John) Westland Marston (1819-1890) was an English playwright, poet and literary critic, a friend of Charles Dickens. His tragic poem, "The Patrician's Daughter" (1842) was lauded for its frank portrayal of English class divisions of the era. His son was the blind poet Philip Bourke Marston (1850-1887). Cartes de visite, small photographs mounted on thicker paper, became immensely popular in the early 1860s, even spawning the term "cardomania." People exchanged cards with friends, and also collected cards featuring famous persons. These cards, followed by the slightly larger cabinet cards, remained popular until the development of home snapshot photograph in the early 20th century. Slightly creased and soiled. Light mailing folds, not at signature. Overall, fine condition.