Autograph Collecting

Kentucky 1849 Autograph Collector Seeks Help from London Librarian



[AUTOGRAPH COLLECTING.] Thomas Hartwell Horne, Autograph Letter Signed, to Joseph B. Boyd, October 19, 1849, British Museum, [London, England.] 3 pp. with separate address panel, 7.875" x 10". Expected folds; tear to edge of third page from seal, not affecting text.



A captivating and informative letter by a London theologian and librarian at the British Museum to a young autograph collector in northeastern Kentucky.



Excerpts:

“Absence from town, during my annual vacation from this place must be my apology for not earlier acknowledging your favour of Augt 4th. I only regret that I cannot aid your collection of autographs more, than by requesting your acceptance of the two inclosed directions of notes to myself, by the Bishop of London and [I regret to add the late] benevolent and much respected Bishop of Llandaff, Dr Copleston.”


“There have, of late years, been various sales of autographs of eminent persons, some of which have brought high prices.”


“It was not necessary that you should apologise for writing to me on the subject of your autograph pursuits. I only regret that I cannot more effectually aid them.”



Thomas Hartwell Horne (1780-1862) was born in London and educated at Christ's Hospital. When his father died, Horne became a clerk to a barrister. He was initially affiliated with the Wesleyans but later joined the Church of England. He was admitted to holy orders without the usual preliminaries, because of his published work. In 1833, he obtained a benefice in London and a prebend in St. Paul's Cathedral. He joined the staff of the British Museum in 1824 and was senior assistant in the printed books department until 1860. He wrote more than forty books on bibliography, Bible commentaries, and Christian apologetics.



Joseph B. Boyd (1820-1854) was born in New York City, and in 1837, moved to Cincinnati, where he was a watchmaker. He later moved to Maysville, Kentucky. He began collecting autographs by 1837, and by the time of his death in 1854, he had collected the autographs of all U.S. presidents, more than twenty signers of the Declaration of Independence, and many American authors and artists.



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.




WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.