July 2020 Auction Ends Thursday, July 30th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/30/2020
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley autograph letter signed, dated Monday 15 June (likely 1843) from Sorrento during her travels through Italy. In this rare missive by the ''Frankenstein'' author, Shelley writes to the Italian nobleman Bartolomeo Cini regarding letters written by her late husband Percy Shelley to Cini's mother-in-law, the writer Margaret King Tighe, which Shelley was waiting to receive. Margaret King Tighe was a pupil of Shelley's mother, and the couple reacquainted themselves with her during their travels in Italy some 28 years prior.
Letter in Italian reads in part, ''...Dear Mr. Cini, / I have not received any letters other than the one that Nerina sent since I arrived here [strikethrough], at this address. It is likely that you have not received any for us, but I am mentioning this because the Post Office of Naples has a terrible reputation in terms of preciseness - and the one in Sorrento is much worse. From now, would you be so kind as to send the letters that will maybe be sent to you to [illegible] M.M. Cotterelli [illegible] Naples. / and I am more certain of receiving them because our stay here is rather uncertain. We will probably leave here for England at the beginning of the current month. We will travel by sea. It would be very good if we found Nerina in Livorno.
This place is truly a paradise, its beauty is indescribable. We live in a peace and tranquillity very pleasant to me, but Percy and Knox find it a bit monotonous. I hear from London that Nerina feels quite better. I pray God that she will regain her health. Percy and Knox send their best regards and many thanks for your kindness. / Please consider me your servant and friend. / M Shelley''. Shelley's travels through Europe with her son Percy formed the basis of her travelogue, ''Rambles in Germany and Italy in 1840, 1842 and 1843''. Three page letter on bifolium stationery measures 5.5'' x 8.5'' as folded, with address panel and red wax seal on verso. Chip to corner of last page, and some ink bleedthrough. Very good plus condition. With full translation.
Mary Shelley Autograph Letter Signed Regarding Letters Written by Percy Shelley -- ''...This place is truly a paradise, its beauty is indescribable. We live in a peace and tranquillity...''
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