Item #24369 Autograph letter signed "B[enjamin] P Howell" to Mrs. Anna Howell, Fancy Hill [Berks County, Pennsylvania]. DANCE - 19th Century - Social.

Autograph letter signed "B[enjamin] P Howell" to Mrs. Anna Howell, Fancy Hill [Berks County, Pennsylvania]

2 pp. of a bifolium. Quarto, ca. 198 x 161 mm. Dated Philadelphia, January 28, 1824. In black ink. With integral address panel with remnants of original seal. On wove paper. With minor autograph corrections.

A charming piece of American social history, evidently written by a schoolboy to his mother pleading for permission to take dancing lessons: "for it is very unpleasant for[!] to see people all knowing how to dance." Cousin Abbey had come to town to attend dancing school for half a quarter, and the young boy writes: "if I begin the first of February I shall have a quarter but if you thing[!] a quarter will cost to[!] much permit me to go half a quarter... Sister Francis says I better go now this winter and then subscribe next winter to the cotillion parties wich[!] will be but a dollar and a half. I wish you would let me know so that I can get a pair of shoes for it... I want to go very much."

Somewhat worn and browned; creased at folds, with minor loss to blank areas; small portion of upper edge of second leaf corresponding to seal lacking.

Item #24369

Price: $250.00  other currencies

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