H.W. Longfellow 2x Signed ALS Re: Icelandic Saga

A 2pp autograph letter signed by the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), the first time at the conclusion of the letter as "Henry W. Longw." Longfellow's second signature, the initial "L," can be found in part of a reference to Longfellow's wife ("Mrs. L," that is, Frances Appleton Longfellow) found at the bottom of the first page. Wednesday morning, n.d. N.p. Written on both sides of a paper leaf and partially tipped into a larger cream-colored mount. Expected paper folds and a discrete repair to one horizontal fold near the right edge. Minor ink bleed-through, else near fine. The paper leaf measures approximately 5" x 8.125" while the overall size of the mount is 5.25" x 8.125."

Longfellow wrote an unidentified correspondent, in full:

"Wednesday morng.

My dear Sir,

I send you the books you mention with many thanks. In the Saga I have made one of two pencil marks. I doubt whether these extracts from the Icelandic can be of much use to you; as they do not seem to [be] printed with much critical accuracy. At the same time, I am not sufficiently versed in the old Scandinavian to pass judgment upon them, without having recourse to a dictionary.

I hope to be able to call upon you tomorrow; and am very happy to say that Mrs. L is better to=day.

In haste, very truly
yr obt svt.

Henry W. Longw."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is best known for his poetry, but he was also a talented linguist, translator, and teacher. In fact, before he retired in the mid-1850s to focus on writing full time, Longfellow served first as a Professor of Modern Languages at Bowdoin College, and later as the Smith Professor of Modern Languages at Harvard University. Longfellow's mostly self-taught knowledge of French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and German, as well as familiarity with Dutch, Icelandic, Swedish, Danish, and Finnish, made him a versatile translator.

Longfellow's knowledge of Scandinavian languages determined the subject--and informed the style--of select later poetry, most notably "The Saga of King Olaf," part of "The Musician's Tale" section of his 1863 "Tales of a Wayside Inn." In other poetry collections, such as "Voices of the Knight" and "Ballads and Other Poems," Longfellow drew from Danish, Swedish, German, and Anglo-Saxon myths and legends.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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