[ William Harrison, Isle of Man antiquary. ] Autograph Letter Signed

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, very lightly aged. Harrison begins by answering the unnamed recipient's enqury 'about Manx Coins &c', with reference to 'an old bookseller in Douglas' and 'John F Crellin of Orrysdale'. Crellin has 'a fine Collection of Coins relating to the Island', and is 'in a poor state of health & confined to bed'. Harrison discusses a paper by Crellin on 'the Coinage of 1733' before turning to 'what duplicate' of Manx Society publications he has in his possession, 'chiefly of my own Editing'. He discusses the purchasing of items directly from the society, and expresses himself willing to propose the recipient as a member 'at the next meeting of the Council'. He ends by expressing his willingness to do all in his power to give him 'any information respecting Manx matters' he can. According to the 'Manx Note Book' Harrison 'was a member of the old House of Keys from 1856 till its dissolution in 1867, and was made a Magistrate in 1872. He was one of the Council of "The Manx Society" from its foundation, and edited no less than fifteen of the thirty-one volumes issued by that body Among the most valuable of these are the three volumes of Miscellanies and "The Biographical Account of Works relating to the Isle of Mann." A zealous and painstaking antiquarian, William Harrison will be remembered as having rescued many of our insular ballads, customs, superstitions, and legendary lore from an undeserved oblivion'. See also 'William Harrison: Scholar and Antiquary', Journal of the Manx Museum, 4 Dec 1938.