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Auction: 323 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 1448

Wordsworth, William (1770-1850). English poet who, along with Samuel Coleridge, helped launch the Romantic Age in English literature. Letter signed ("Wm Wordsworth"), the text in the hand of his wife Mary, 2 pages, 8vo. To Haydon [the artist Benjamin Haydon]. Rydal Mount, 25 June [postmarked 1838]. There are a few revisions. Integral address leaf (with small seal tear) bearing postal markings and small wafer seal.

Commenting on the dedication to himself of Haydon's lectures and begging to differ from Haydon's opinion on Michael Angelo: "...It would ill become me not to say that I must deem the dedication of your Lectures an honourable distinction & the most gratifying as it comes from the feelings which you have given utterance in your letter. I have not seen any extracts from your lectures [later published as Lectures on Painting and Design, 2 vols., 1844-46], but I have somewhere heard that you speak of Michael Angelo in terms of disparagement, to which I cannot accede, & therefore I should like that in the terms of your dedication, you would contrive as briefly as you can, to give it be understood that I am not pledged to the whole of your opinions in reference to an art in which you are so distinguished ... " Wordsworth was a great admirer of the great Renaissance artist, having published translations of his poetry.

From the collection of Diana Herzog.

Sold for
$1,600