Rare ALS signed “E. A. Poe,” one lightly lined page, 7.75 x 9.25, October 14, 1841. Poe writes to William D. Kelley. In full: “I return the autograph of Mr. Brownson, for the use of which I am truly obliged to you.” At the time of writing, Poe was a staff member of Graham’s magazine, and in November 1841 he wrote an article for that publication titled “A Chapter on Autography” (a copy of which is included). The article, one of the first ever published on handwriting analysis (the word “graphology” wasn’t coined until 1882), dealt specifically with the signatures of 100 American literati, one of whom is the Mr. Brownson mentioned in this letter. Poe begins the article by making note of his reasons for the analysis: “Our design is three-fold: In the first place, seriously to illustrate our position that the mental features are indicated (with certain exceptions) by the hand-writing; secondly, to indulge in a little literary gossip; and, thirdly, to furnish our readers with a more accurate and at the same time a more general collection of the autographs of our literari [sic] than is to be found elsewhere….” Poe writes of Brownson: “The Rev. Orestes A. Brownson is chiefly known to the literary world as the editor of the ‘Boston Quarterly Review,’ a work to which he contributes, each quarter, at least two-thirds of the matter…. His MS. indicates, in the most striking manner, the unpretending simplicity, directness, and especially, the indefatigability of his mental character. His signature is more petite than his general chirography.” In the same year, Poe penned his archetypical “locked room” mystery, “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds, scattered light foxing and toning, a few small tears and holes (seal-related hole to top margin; pinhole near but not touching closing of letter), mild wrinkling, and very faint show-through from docket to reverse. Virtually all of the faults are concentrated at the edges of the sheet, well away from the writing, and could easily be matted out for display. Poe’s writing is dark and distinct throughout. A quite remarkable association with handwriting and autograph collecting from one of the most elusive and coveted of American literary figures! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
