Abraham Lincoln Related
Playwright "Tom Taylor" Autograph Letter Signed Author of "Our American Cousin" (1858) and Punch Magazine Editor
TOM TAYLOR (1817-1880). English dramatist, critic, biographer, public servant, and editor of "Punch Magazine," Playwright including "Our American Cousin" (1858), which achieved great success and remains famous as the play that was being performed at Ford's Theatre in the presence of President Abraham Lincoln when he was assassinated while viewing the play April 14th, 1865.
January 3, (no year), Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, 3 pages, measuring about 4.5" x 6", written to "Mrs. Senior", the wife of the notable British economist, Nassau William Senior, (1790-1864), Choice Very Fine. This Letter reads, in part:
"Dear Mrs. Senior, --- How many & hearty happy New Years do I not wish you! I wish I could come to you tomorrow... but really I have such a lot of work imperatively pressing upon me, that I must deny myself that pleasure - as I know what a willing Reinaldo I should be in your garden of Avenida - with your music & Nassau's cigars to be resisted. --- Ever yours, (Signed) T. Taylor".
Prior album mounting traces on the back of the blank last page. Taylor's handwriting is doctor-like, but his "T. Taylor" signature is bold, nice and clear. A Tom Taylor autograph signature is very scarce and a full ALS is even more rare.
TOM TAYLOR, (1817-1880), English dramatist, critic, biographer, public servant, and editor of Punch magazine. He had a brief academic career, holding the professorship of English literature and language at University College, London, in the 1840's, after which he practiced law and became a civil servant.
At the same time he became a journalist, most prominently as a contributor to, and eventually editor of "Punch". He became best known as a playwright, with up to 100 plays staged during his career, including "Our American Cousin" (1858), which achieved great success in the 19th century and remains famous as the play that was being performed in the presence of Abraham Lincoln when he was assassinated in 1865.