[Henry Headley, Norfolk poet.] Autograph Letter Signed to John Nichols, printer and editor of the Gentleman's Magazine, announcing his forthcoming anthology 'Select Beauties of Ancient English Poetry', and asking for Nichols's assistance.

3pp., 4to. In fair condition, aged and worn. Tipped-in onto a leaf removed from an album. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr Nicholls [sic] Red Lion Passage Fleet Street London', with postmarks and remains of broken seal in red wax. Headley was a contributor to Nichols' Gentleman's Magazine under the initials C.T.O.', and the letter casts light on the genesis of what is now regarded as a landmark anthology. It begins: 'Dear Sir | Will you excuse perhaps the impertinence, & certainly the trouble, of this application - I have undertaken to publish a Book to be called "Select Beauties of Ancient English Poetry," with a variety of Remarks, which I purpose subjoining to the work. I intend printing by Subscription, which will be six shilling, the work to be comrised in one large Octavo or 2 Vol duodecimo - I find my subscription goes on here very slowly, & I have taken too much trouble in the work to relinquish it contentedly. I merely wish to pay the printing, by my Subscription - will you assist me in getting me a few names for such a purpose - I am aware of the abruptness of the application I am making but necessity has almost wore away diffidence & I have no friend in Town who can do me service in a thing of this kind'. He describes how his selection has been made, and stresses that he will not 'touch any thing which has been already published by Dr Percy in his Reliques'. He gives the text of an advertisement which he wishes to 'have inserted twice or thrice only' in the St James Chronicle, and thanks Nichols for the attention he has 'paid to my letters at different times'. In a postscript he apologises 'that the great distance I am from Town, has prevented me from having my book printed by you - I shall consider myself as much obligeed to you for a line on the subject'.