Autograph letter signed by poet Leigh Hunt to his publisher dated c1850s
HUNT, Leigh (1784-1859). Autograph Letter Signed to the publisher Charles Ollier concerning a play, literary reviews and publishing affairs, 1854.
Autograph letter signed, 90 x 110 mm, written on all four sides of a single sheet folded to form four pages and signed "L. H." With the original postal envelope addressed by Hunt to "Charles Ollier Esqr., Bute Street, Old Brompton" and post mark dated 1854. Old folds, light creasing and handling marks, starting to split at the edges, otherwise very good.
A lengthy and densely written literary letter from the poet, essayist and critic Leigh Hunt to his publisher Charles Ollier, discussing a play about Napoleon, forthcoming reviews, the Examiner and the difficulties of coordinating competing theatrical projects.
Hunt begins with an apology for his prolonged silence, explaining that he has been "occupied, occupied, occupied, - visited, visited, visited, - dining out, dining out, dining out", before extending the list to include headaches, delayed mornings and a succession of other distractions. Much of the letter concerns literary reviewing and relations between authors, critics and publishers. Hunt discusses his proposed notice of the third part of a work concerning Napoleon. He also refers to inaccuracies in a recent issue of the Examiner, the influential radical newspaper with which Hunt had been closely associated since its foundation.
The letter concludes with an account of Hunt's current theatrical work. In a postscript he announces: "I have done my play, with the exception of certain alterations in the 2d & 3d acts", while elsewhere discussing proposed casting and assuring Ollier that their respective theatrical projects should not conflict.
Charles Ollier (1788-1859) was one of the principal publishers associated with the second generation of Romantic writers. Together with his brother James, he published works by Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Keats, Leigh Hunt and Charles Lamb. An unusually substantial literary letter between Hunt and Publisher Ollier.