WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT - ALS Signed Letter 1871 Autograph Evening Post Poetry COA For Sale

For your consideration from my personal collection.William Cullen Bryant (1794 – 1878) was a monumental American romantic poet, journalist, and long-time editor of The New York Evening Post. Celebrated as one of the \"Fireside Poets,\" he is globally revered for his foundational literary masterpieces like Thanatopsis and To a Waterfowl, as well as his powerful civic influence as a champion of human rights and an early supporter of Abraham Lincoln.
An exceptionally rare and historically significant original Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) entirely handwritten and signed by William Cullen Bryant in elegant dip-pen fountain ink.Dating precisely to February 11th, 1871, this museum-quality letter is beautifully penned on his official, embossed newspaper stationery, featuring the printed header: \"The Evening Post, 41 Nassau Street, cor. Liberty, New York\".
The Content & Transcript:
Writing in his capacity as a premier American public intellectual, Bryant politely declines an invitation to speak at a university function, citing a lack of time due to his rigorous schedule.
The complete handwritten text reads:\"Dear Sir. I have your polite note requesting me to deliver a public lecture before the Literary Societies of your University. I thank them for thinking of me in making out their list of lecturers, but I am obliged to decline their request for various reasons, one of which is the want of time to compose anything for the purpose. I am, sir, respectfully yours, W. C. Bryant\"Item Details & Presentation:

• The Document: A complete, beautifully preserved single-page handwritten letter with an intact embossed circular blind stamp in the top left corner.
• Mounting: The document has been historically affixed along its back upper margin to a 6.5” x 4” heavy paper leaf from a vintage turn-of-the-century autograph album. The letter is layered such that the signature panel remains fully exposed on the page, mirroring the exact presentation style of the Booker T. Washington piece from the same collection.
• Verso: The back of the heavy album mounting page remains entirely blank.

In magnificent vintage fine condition. The ink has aged to a gorgeous, deep sepia tone, completely legible and uniform. The paper exhibits natural, light uniform toning and standard historical folding creases that add immense character and authenticate its mid-19th-century provenance.Acquired as part of a collection back in the early 90\'s from a California sale house.An extraordinary centerpiece addition for any advanced collection focusing on 19th-century American Literature, classic journalism, or rare American poetry.I will provide a COA.I am a lifetime 45 year collector, I am a retired Hollywood Historical sale prop assessor, catalog writer, authenticator & fanboy.I have been selling original, signature, props & collectibles for over 25 yearsand direct market over 30 yrs.
Please ask ALL questions as..Item is Sold as is, All Sales are FinalThank you for your patience and understanding.Comes from a SMOKE FREE & PET FREE HOME,PLEASE ask all questions before offerding.PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED IN 3 DAYS.