Autograph Letter Signed, to Charles Ward, responding to his letter, Jane’s illness, etc by WARD, Henrietta

E.M. Ward [Henrietta Mary Ada] Autograph Letters Signed (2) circa 1860's London 2 notes, both measuring about 4.5 x 7 inches were apparently once mounted with one note completely backed and second note partially backed. Content mostly to verso. Corner missing to one note. See photos for condition details. Overall Good Condition. Henrietta Ward (1832-1909) was born into a family of artists and would marry an artist, Edward Matthew Ward (no relation) at the age of 16, in 1848. Some contemporaries would write her name as "Henrietta Mary Ada Ward Ward." The Wards socialized in an artistic and literary world calling C.L. Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), Charles Dickens and George Cruikshank friends. Henrietta gained favor of the Royals as she gave art lessons to several of the royal children of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Her works widely exhibited, and she authored two autobiographical memoirs. Her husband was known for his historical works and was commissioned to paint eight canvases for the House of… Read More

London : Hutchinson, 1924. Second Edition. Hardcover. Very good copy in the original gilt-blocked boards. Slight suggestion only of dust-dulling to the spine bands and panel edges. Remains particularly well-preserved overall. Physical description; xxiv, 332 pages, 32 unnumbered leaves of plates : portraits ; 24 cm. Subjects; Ward, E.M. (Edward Matthew) Mrs. 1832-1924. Ward, Henrietta Mary Ada Ward 1832-1924. Artists Correspondence. Artists Great Britain ; Biography. Painting, English biographies. Artists Correspondence, reminiscences, etc. Great Britain Social life and customs.

Two cross-written manuscript letters penned in October 1845, to Edward Ward Esquire, Royal Engineers, Bermuda, one from his sister Henrietta, the second from Fanny Ward, both living at 114, Champs Elysees, Paris. Each letter is 9 x 15 inches (approx 25 x 38 cm), written on both sides, bearing both red postage payment stamps and blue 'St. James St' stamps and the instruction 'By Halifax Mail' indicating the Cunard mail service route. Both letters bear remains of seals. While Fanny's letter of 30 October deals almost exclusively with news of family and friends, that from Henrietta, dated October 14 recounts in detail the excitements of their social life in Paris, with several visits to the Italian and French opera houses (of the tenor Moriani she writes: 'he is an ugly fat monster, but he sings and acts very well') and an account of seeing the renowned mesmerist Alexis at work, and attempting to verify his statements about her brother in Bermuda at the time ('and [that you] for the last two months had… Read More