Description
GEORGE MACDONALD autograph Letter Signed.
British (Scottish) pioneering author of fantasy stories.
ALS. 1p. 39 Longridge Road, Kensington. June 15th, 1879. To Alfred M. Burnaby.
"I will venture on the 15th October, if you wish it. My fee is ten guineas. Yours truly, George MacDonald".
8vo. Approx 7 x 4.5 inches. On mourning edged stationary laid down on part of an album leaf.
George MacDonald is of considerable consequence in the history and development of fantasy Literature. He is cited as a primary influence by authors as diverse as Lewis Carroll, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and W.H. Auden. G.K. Chesterton referred to George MacDonald's novel, 'The Princess and the Goblin', as a book that had made a difference to his whole existence. Mark Twain, too, is believed to have been influenced by MacDonald. 1879, the date of this letter, saw the publication of MacDonald's novel, 'Sir Gibbie'. George MacDonald was also a theologian, Christian minister and sometime teacher at London University. Possibly, then, his letter to Mr Burnaby is in response to an invitation to speak or lecture in some capacity. George MacDonald has enjoyed much critical re-evaluation of a generally admiring and favourable nature and his place in the pantheon of fantasy literature is now secure. His autograph is somewhat scarce.
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