Lot 1083
Stowe, Harriet Elizabeth [Beecher] (1811-1896), American novelist and abolitionist, author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin, or, Life Among the Lowly" (1852) (previously published serially in The National Era 1851-1852), brother of clergyman and abolitionist Henry Ward Stowe. Autograph Letter Signed, four full pages, 4½ x 7, Andover, Mass., December 8, 1860. Chatty personal letter to "My dear Friend", Stowe talks mainly of family matters but waxes poetic in the beginning with "Your letter was right welcome as friends letters are always — particularly now when we are snowed up in winter — if the night mail brings in tidings from friends it seems to brighten the evening sky & make even the snow look brighter —", later she mentions the coming Civil War: "Are you not afraid of the secessionists? — There may be a war and Chalkley Hall be sacked for aught you know — Just think of the danger —" She closes at the very bottom of page four with "Ever truly Yours H B Stowe". Fine condition, though the two leaves are nearly separated and there is a tiny nick at the top.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
This letter was evidently written to one of the children or grandchildren of Thomas Chalkley, a travelling Quaker minister, and contemporary of her father, Lyman Beecher. The family resided at Chalkley Hall near Fankford, Pa.
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| Realized $2,100 |
