ART, LITERATURE AND PHILANTHROPY

Series of autograph letters to Lady Louisa Goldsmid, the philanthropist, educationalist and suffragist, from Robert Browning, Millicent Jarrett Fawcett and Edward Lear

Series of autograph letters to Lady Louisa Goldsmid, the philanthropist, educationalist and suffragist, from Robert Browning, Millicent Jarrett Fawcett and Edward Lear, comprising: three autograph letters signed "Robert Browning", the first asking her to "Please put the notes into the fire, and – if you please to honor it so far – the photograph into your album", the rest accepting invitations ("I understand your kindness in softening the disgrace by this second invitation, which I accept blushingly but joyfully too"), 3 pages, 8vo, 19 Warwick Crescent, "Saturday afternoon", 20 February [18]69 and "Tuesday"; two autograph letters written on mourning paper signed ("Millicent Jarrett Fawcett" and "M.J.Fawcett"), thanking her for her efforts in funding a memorial fountain on London's Embankment to her husband Henry ("not only for the sympathy and consideration shown to my by yourself and others at every stage of the undertaking, but especially for embodying, in a lasting form, the appreciation of his country women... On all grounds then, public & private, I think there is no title he would have been prouder to bear than that of the Friend of Women", the second confirming that the fountain is being put to good use ("It was surrounded by children drinking from it the whole time we were there"), the first with envelope, 4 pages, 8vo, Alde House, Aldeburgh, 28 July [1886] and Bayreuth, 5 August; and autograph letter signed ("Edward Lear"), regretting he is unable to accept her invitations as he is preparing for an exhibition of oil and watercolour landscapes at Frank Lushington's and thanking her for her kindness, 3 pages, 8vo, 33 Norfolk Square, Friday 14 May (7)