Description
G A HENTY Autograph Letter Signed.
British (English) war correspondent and author of boys' adventure stories.
ALS. 1p. No place. Tuesday night. No month or year. [To William Woodall].
"Just a line to say Goodbye, old man. I am off suddenly, and start tomorrow for the Turkish Head Quarters. It is most annoying for Herbert only came here on Saturday from Germany, and both the boys' holidays are spoilt. My only consolation is that I hope to see these scoundrelly Serbians who have without a shadow of an excuse plunged Russia into war smashed by the Turks. How long the thing is likely to last heaven only knows. Say goodbye for me to [Craig ?] who has never sent a line in return to my note to him, and believe me my dear Woodall, yours always." etc.
12mo. Approx 5.5 x 3.5 inches. Mounting residue to verso and paper is slightly 'skinned' in one or two places. All else very good.
G A Henty was sent by the London Standard to cover the Russo-Turkish war in 1877 and the letter can, therefore, be dated to that time.
Provenance: From a 19th century collection made by the radical Liberal M.P., William Woodall. G A Henty worked as a war correspondent for the London Standard and had met Woodall whilst he was in Paris covering the fall of the Paris Commune. The two subsequently remained firm friends, notwithstanding their very differing, not to say opposing, political views.
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