Autograph Letter Signed to 'Freshfield'.

Author: 
Andrew Lang
Publication details: 
31 May [no year]; on letterhead 'PALACE OF HOLYROOD HOUSE | EDINBURGH'.
£35.00
SKU: 3688

Scottish scholar, folklorist, poet and man of letters (1844-1912). Four pages, 12mo. Good, but the last page in particular grubby and stained. Shaky hand indicating old age. He wishes his correspondent (presumably a member of the noted firm of solicitors), 'or some other discreet and learned person, had seen the portrait [owned by Freshfield?] in its quite untouched condition. The eyes are not of the usual long heavy lidded kind, and the mouth is rather "restored," I think. | It should be of 1579, when Mary was allowed to send presents to James VI, which he was not allowed to accept. She had a portrait of herslef in 1586, and this may be it.' He hopes to learn 'how it came to Andrews-Whiting', and has 'bought a photograph', but if his correspondent can spare another he knows 'a worthy recipient, a cousin of mine who has just done a Life, not yet published, of the Queen.' He is returning to London. Shaky signature 'A Lang'.