James R. Lowell ALS Re: Anti-slavery to Francis J. Garrison, 1 Year Prior to His Death

1p of a bifolium signed "J.R. Lowell" and addressed to Mr. Brainard measuring 4.5" x 7", Cambridge, Massachusetts, dated April 1, 1890.An ailing Lowell tries to help Brainard locate an old anti-slavery work he wrote 40 years prior. Together with an attractive engraved portrait of Lowell by T. Johnson. With flattened mail folds and light edge toning. Some rust from a removed paper clip. Mounting residue on verso. Boldly signed. From a recently discovered collection that has not seen the light of day for over 70 years!

In full:

"The verses of which you speak were what is nowadays called a 'skit' dashed off at full speed for the 'Antislavery Standard', I think, but am not quite sure, for it is now more than forty years ago. They have never been reprinted in any volume of mine. Indeed I had half forgotten them till Mr. F.J. Garrison recalled them to my memory. I have a notion that he inserted them in the Life of his father, but am not quite sure. I have been seriously ill and am still confined to my chamber so that I cannot look the matter up. But Mr. Garrison (4 Park Street, Boston), could put you on the right track."

James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) was an American Romantic poet, critic, editor, and diplomat, associated with the fireside poets. He became involved in the movement to abolish slavery, and used his poetry to express his anti-slavery views, as well as taking a job in Philadelphia as the editor of an abolitionist newspaper. During the last few months of his life, Lowell struggled with gout, sciatica in his left leg, and chronic nausea. By the summer of 1891, doctors believed that he had developed cancer in his kidneys, liver, and lungs, and, due to heavy opioids used as medication, he was rarely fully conscious. He passed away on August 12, 1891, and was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery.

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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