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THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
SWIFT, Jonathan (1667-1745). Autograph note signed ("J.S.") to Elizabeth Sican, n.d. One page, 12mo, closed tears at creases.
Details
SWIFT, Jonathan (1667-1745). Autograph note signed ("J.S.") to Elizabeth Sican, n.d. One page, 12mo, closed tears at creases.
A PLAYFUL NOTE TO A MEMBER OF HIS "TRIUMFEMINATE" OF DUBLIN WITS
"The litter, Mother and daughter of Abby Street are to dine with me today," Swift tells Mrs Sican, "and I shall want something for tomorrow. I therefore intreat you will market, and I will do the same for you when I learn to be a housewife and if you will be here one, I fear I shall not take it ill." He adds a postscript: "I mean that I hope you will dine with us today." Very little is known about Elizabeth Sican other than that she was wife of a prosperous Dublin grocer, and a member of Swift's literary and personal coterie. He included her along with Constantia Grierson and Mary Barber as his "triumfeminate" of Dublin wits. He also praised her to Pope saying "she has a very good taste of poetry, has read much and as I hear, has writ one or two things with applause (6 Feb. 1729/30, Elwin, Letters, 3:177). [With:] SWIFT, Deane. Signed calling card. One page, oblong (2¼ x 3 5/8in.). Swift's greatnephew and biographer, Deane Swift (Deane being his Christian name rather than his title) signed this calling card belonging to Mrs. Eustace of Stephen's Green. A whimsical seal with a likeness of Swift is affixed to the verso. (2)
A PLAYFUL NOTE TO A MEMBER OF HIS "TRIUMFEMINATE" OF DUBLIN WITS
"The litter, Mother and daughter of Abby Street are to dine with me today," Swift tells Mrs Sican, "and I shall want something for tomorrow. I therefore intreat you will market, and I will do the same for you when I learn to be a housewife and if you will be here one, I fear I shall not take it ill." He adds a postscript: "I mean that I hope you will dine with us today." Very little is known about Elizabeth Sican other than that she was wife of a prosperous Dublin grocer, and a member of Swift's literary and personal coterie. He included her along with Constantia Grierson and Mary Barber as his "triumfeminate" of Dublin wits. He also praised her to Pope saying "she has a very good taste of poetry, has read much and as I hear, has writ one or two things with applause (6 Feb. 1729/30, Elwin, Letters, 3:177). [With:] SWIFT, Deane. Signed calling card. One page, oblong (2¼ x 3 5/8in.). Swift's greatnephew and biographer, Deane Swift (Deane being his Christian name rather than his title) signed this calling card belonging to Mrs. Eustace of Stephen's Green. A whimsical seal with a likeness of Swift is affixed to the verso. (2)