Details
JAMES, Henry. Three autograph letters signed to George W. Smalley (New York correspondent for The Times), 34 De Vere Gardens, London, 8 March 1892,
2 January 1894 and 19 May, n.y. Together 10 pages, 8vo, the second on black-edged mourning stationary. 2 January 1894: "Your little tribute -- rather your big one -- give me extraordinary pleasure... a singularly sensible send-off for the year... You're my only friend at court -- in this long eclipse of yours subterraneously, Henry James." Provenance: James Gilvarry (his sale Christie's New York, 7 February 1986, lot 153).
8 March [1892]: Replying to Smalley's condolences on the death of Alice James, which occurred on March 5. "I am greatly touched by the friendship of your letter -- especially so at your making the effort to write it in your indisposed & confined condition... My sister's death makes a great difference in my life. Banished by life-long invalidism from the world, she was known to very few people, but her gifts of intelligence, & character -- her social gifts -- made her my great 'social source' as well as my nearest & dearest relative. But blessed is her liberation..."
19 May, n.y.: James thanks Smalley for pointing out an article in the Xmas Mercury, "which I would not have seen... as I have requested the publishers not to send me reviews, in the mysterious manner of this country -- where they descend like snowflakes (or rather hailstones) upon the exposed author. I do like to see the good ones -- the flattering ones; but I am too modest to say to the austere Macmillans 'Send me nothing but compliments...' I should like to commune further with you about the copyright crisis, ... but in these relaxing hours I can scarcely fly so high as to scale the castle walls, which presumably divide you from your grateful cockney friend, Henry James." Apparently unpublished, not in Letters, ed. Edel. (3)
2 January 1894 and 19 May, n.y. Together 10 pages, 8vo, the second on black-edged mourning stationary. 2 January 1894: "Your little tribute -- rather your big one -- give me extraordinary pleasure... a singularly sensible send-off for the year... You're my only friend at court -- in this long eclipse of yours subterraneously, Henry James." Provenance: James Gilvarry (his sale Christie's New York, 7 February 1986, lot 153).
8 March [1892]: Replying to Smalley's condolences on the death of Alice James, which occurred on March 5. "I am greatly touched by the friendship of your letter -- especially so at your making the effort to write it in your indisposed & confined condition... My sister's death makes a great difference in my life. Banished by life-long invalidism from the world, she was known to very few people, but her gifts of intelligence, & character -- her social gifts -- made her my great 'social source' as well as my nearest & dearest relative. But blessed is her liberation..."
19 May, n.y.: James thanks Smalley for pointing out an article in the Xmas Mercury, "which I would not have seen... as I have requested the publishers not to send me reviews, in the mysterious manner of this country -- where they descend like snowflakes (or rather hailstones) upon the exposed author. I do like to see the good ones -- the flattering ones; but I am too modest to say to the austere Macmillans 'Send me nothing but compliments...' I should like to commune further with you about the copyright crisis, ... but in these relaxing hours I can scarcely fly so high as to scale the castle walls, which presumably divide you from your grateful cockney friend, Henry James." Apparently unpublished, not in Letters, ed. Edel. (3)