LEAR EDWARD: (1812-1888) ´ I shall go south, like the swollers´

LEAR EDWARD: (1812-1888) ´ I shall go south, like the swollers´

LEAR EDWARD: (1812-1888) English artist, illustrator, author and poet, remembered for his literary nonsense and limericks. A fine, wonderful illustrated A.L.S., Edward Lear, three pages, 8vo, n.p., 31st July 1877, to Lady Waldegrave. Lear writes a warm letter to his friend, incorporating amusing nonsense spellings and a delightful self-caricature, shortly before departing for his beloved Italy, in full, ´I shall trouble you with this gnoat because the chances are that I shall not see you again before I go out of England, - if, (as I hope you may, ) you will make a northerly tour to Whitby, Filey, Bridlington, & Scarborough. And for myself, I have to remain with my nose at the grindstone to finish one of the two large Northbrook pictures, so as to take it down to Stratten with as little delay as possible. After witch, & another visit to my sister, I shall go south, like the swollers [at this point in the letter Lear has penned a self-caricature as a swallow gliding in the wind, his familiar spectacles dislodged from his head] So I wish you goodbye, with many good wishes for a pleasant Autumn, & many thanks for much kindness. Both you & Chichester have always been very kind to me. But, unless you both come to Italy, I fear it will be a long time before I see you again, if at all´. A rare example of a letter by Lear demonstrating his clever word play and enhanced by an original drawing. VG

Frances Waldegrave (1821-1879) Countess Waldegrave. English society heiress, the daughter of opera singer John Braham.