Three Autograph Letters, signed ("Isabel Burton"), to Miss Eliza Langley of Reading, offering copies of her late husband s works, and reporting that Waterlow will send the recipient a "clean" copy of A Sketch of the Career (1886)

(Burton, Richard F) Burton, Isabel

Published by London, 1891

About this Item

Three letters, 7 pages, on 2 bifolia and 1 leaf, on mourning stationery, with autograph envelopes postmarked July and August, 1891. Small 8vo. Isabel Burton writes three letters from Baker Street in quick succession to Miss Eliza Langley of Lovejoy s Library and bookshop at 37-39 London Street in Reading, concerning her late husband s writings, offering sets of the six volume Supplemental Nights at 6 guineas each, and odd volumes of the original ten volume Nights at a guinea apiece. "I shall not forget your wish concerning my dearest s works but I think I had better send you a list as the books are each at their own publishers. I have only my own set of them … I shall never feel my pain less the sense of loss gets worse. It is attached to me like a bit of myself night & day. Yours very truly, Isabel Burton" She acknowledges receipt of 3 guineas in the first letter (dated 5 Baker Street, 23 July 1891), and 12 guineas in the second letter (29 July), when she mentions "I go to my convent & shall not reappear till the 10th August" and giving her new adress, 67 Baker Street. In the third letter (12 August), she states that Waterlow will be sending a "clean" copy of A Sketch of the Career (1886) George Lovejoy (1808-1883) established a bookshop and private subscription library in London Street, Reading, in 1832. By the year of his death (1883) it was said to be the largest library of its kind outside London, and held over 70,000 volumes, with 268 subcribers. By 1881, George Lovejoy had five male and three female assistants, one of whom was Miss Eliza Langley (1834-1898). Lovejoy s will had provided for her to remain as the paid manager if his executors continued the business. "Miss Langley claimed to have greatly enlarged the business since she purchased it from the Lovejoys. She remained living on the premises, while Mrs Lovejoy and her unmarried daughters moved to Victoria Square. The business was still called Lovejoy s Library until some time between 1891 and 1895, and the premises at 37 and 39 London Street included what was described as a county club and public reading rooms, and Miss Langley continued to publish as well. In 1891 it was described as the Lovejoy & Southern Counties Library. In 1895 Miss Eliza Langley is recorded as acting under her own name as a bookseller and stationer at 37 and 39 London Street" (Berkshire Record Office). Three letters, 7 pages, on 2 bifolia and 1 leaf, on mourning stationery, with autograph envelopes postmarked July and August, 1891. Small 8vo.

Seller Inventory # 366884

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Three Autograph Letters, signed ("Isabel Burton"), to Miss Eliza Langley of Reading, offering copies of her late husband s works, and reporting that Waterlow will send the recipient a "clean" copy of A Sketch of the Career (1886)
• Publisher: London
• Publication Date: 1891
• Condition: Old folds. Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • Social Thought
  • Literature