SWAIN

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. The letter begins: 'As cheapness seems the chief topic at present, I send you 'something cheap' which I trust may suit the Gazette.' He asks, 'when any verse of mine appears in the Gazette', for a stamped copy.. He has 'many friends, connected with the Local press, who would quote & thus be serviceable to you'. In a postscript he tells Jerdan: 'You must please yourself about "Something Cheap" it is out of my usual way, written off hand: and I may have missed my mark.'

4pp., 12mo. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to 'My dear friend', and with the name of the recipient obliterated from the valediction: 'Will you give my sincere and grateful remembrances to your noble hearted husband? and believe me | dear <...> | Every affectionately, | [signed] Charles Swain'. He can put off 'the evil day' no longer, and must now 'give in to circumstances' and reluctantly inform her that he cannot come and visit.

English artist and illustrator (1820-1912). Swain (1820-1909) was a noted wood-engraver, and the letter concerns his possible employment by Macquoid. Two pages, 12mo. Good, but on discoloured paper, heavily sunned along one edge and browning in one corner, with small closed tear at top of fold. Swain's price 'for Blocks will do - £8. 8. 0 for full page & £6. 6. 0 for front page -'. He has seen Williams 'who was very polite & promised me some work'. Williams is 'going to be married soon - wh: he said wd. "come in the way" of drawings at present'. Signed Thos. R. Macquoid'.