ALS signed “Your and the soldiers’ ever faithful servant, Florence Nightingale,” one page both sides, 8 x 10, September 3, 1878. Handwritten letter in support of a charitable cause, in part: "I send with the very greatest interest my poor little promised £10 for your blessed Soldier's Institute at Portsmouth. I picture to myself your comfortable rooms & refreshments for soul & body, & I wish you 'God speed' from the bottom of my heart. I picture to myself your coffee-shed at the Dock-yard, rejoicing the poor families who disembark, & the decent lodgings taken for them, & I bless God for your great work." The bottom portion of the reverse, which could be detached and in no way affect the main letter, bears a lengthy postscript from Nightingale, who requests anonymity and initials as "F.L.," in part: "Will you excuse my declining to be 'Patroness' as you kindly desire, to your Bazaar in November? It is not that my whole heart is not with you, as I hope you know but I have so many invitations to 'patronizing' that I am compelled to make it a rule not to give me poor name where I cannot give my work." In fine condition, with some light creasing.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$100.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
