1870s Victorian Poet Emily Pfeiffer ALS Signed Letter to Hunt Family Putney SW For Sale

For sale is an original 19th-century autograph letter signed (ALS) by British poet and philanthropist Emily Jane Pfeiffer (1827–1890), written on her elegant embossed “Mayfield, West Hill, Putney, S.W.” stationery.

Beautifully penned in her distinctive hand, the letter is addressed to Mr. Hunt — almost certainly a member of London’s well-known literary Hunt family — and discusses plans for a social dinner gathering in London.

Letters by Emily Pfeiffer are collected for their association with Victorian literature, women’s rights, and London’s artistic circles. This is a warm, social letter with a full, bold signature.

The sheet is complete, with no text loss, and folds cleanly. A strong example of her correspondence.

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📜 Full Transcription

Mayfield, West Hill,

Putney, S.W.

Thursday morng.

Dear Mr. Hunt,

We have made fruitless

efforts to arrange a little dinner &c.

We hoped to tempt you & Mrs. Hunt

to join — all the people it would

have been good to have together had

already flown, or were settling on the

wing. We are midlands off on Saturday

but not for long, & when we return

we hope that our tried endeavors

will meet with better fortune.

Believe me very sincerely yours,

Emily Pfeiffer

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📚 About Emily Jane Pfeiffer (1827–1890)

Emily Pfeiffer was a respected Victorian poet, essayist, and philanthropist known for her works Gerard’s Monument, Under the Aspens, Quarterman’s Daughter, and numerous collections of sonnets. She became a strong public advocate for women’s education, donating large sums toward women’s college funds at Oxford.

She and her husband James S. Pfeiffer were central figures in London’s literary and artistic networks. Her manuscripts and letters appear in major research libraries including the British Library and Bodleian.

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📨 Who Was Mr. Hunt?

While the letter simply addresses “Mr. Hunt,” the Pfeiffers socialized with London’s artistic and literary circles centered around the Hunt family, which included:

Thornton Leigh Hunt (1810–1873) – journalist & editor of The Daily Telegraph

Members of the Hunt literary family, descendants of the poet and essayist Leigh Hunt

The formality and tone strongly suggest a recipient within this well-connected London literary family.

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💎 Condition

Original ink, strong and legible

Full “Emily Pfeiffer” signature

Fold as mailed; minor age toning

No repairs or text loss

A clean and attractive example ideal for Victorian manuscript collectors

There is some additional paper from where it may have been glued into a book, but does not detract from the document or affect the legible areas.