Autograph Letter Signed

[Paris], 1929. 8220;Edith" [Paris]: 1929.

Full Description:

WHARTON, Edith. Autograph Letter Signed. "Edith." Pavillon Colombe. St Brice-Sous-Foret (S&O). [Paris]: Oct[ober] 24, [19]29.

An autograph letter signed, by Edith Wharton, written to her cousin Le Roy King. One octavo leaf. Visible leaf size: (8 x 6 3/4 inches; 205 x 170 mm). With the manuscript letter in brown ink written on the recto and verso. With 17 lines on the recto and 13 lines on verso. Letter is written on Wharton's personal blue paper stationary in brown ink. The printed letter head reads "Pavillon Colombe/St Brice-Sous-Foret (S&O)/Telephone St Brice-Sous-Foret, 12."

Letter is mated, framed and glazed in a double-sided frame so that both sides of the leaf are visible. Beside the letter on the front side is a photographic portrait of Wharton, and on the back side is the mailing envelope. Letter has two perpendicular crease lines from mailing. Photo size: (6 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches; 165 x 115 mm). Envelope size: (4 1/4 x 3 inches; 105 x 80 mm). Envelope with some soiling and a chip from the upper left corner. Frame size: (18 1/2 x 14 1/2 inches; 470 x 365 mm). Frame is speckled gilt, with a bit of chipping to edges. Overall a very good example.

This letter to Wharton's cousin Le Roy King whom Wharton has just asked to be the executor of her will. The letter reads:

"Oct 24, 29 Dear LeRoy, Thank you so much for your note. I have tried to arrange things so that they will cause the minimum

of trouble to those who have to tidy up

after me.

I know what a bad time you have been

having, my dear, and I have thought

of you often with a heavy heart. But

my many years of experience have

shown me that, at some time or

another & in out [?] or another, fate

exacts of us all our maximum of

suffering; and the only good that seems

to come of it is that in fighting our

way through the Dark Forest, we get,

or ought to get a certain discipline;

that helps later to bear the

next blows more philosophically and

also to understand others and pity them.

I do hope you'll be able to get abroad

next year. New surroundings are

the best cure for an old ache. Best Love [?] Edith Can you give me any news about those

tiresome old books? Tom Newbold announced

their sale to me months ago, but the

Chase National Bank, which looks after

my interests had sent me no papers

to sign as yet, or any kind of information"

HBS 69345.

$2,750.