[Thomas Frognall Dibdin, bibliographer] Autograph Letter Signed "TFD" (monogram) to William Combes, book collector, of Henley upon Thames.

Letter written across two pages, 8vo, small tear with no loss of text, small hole at fold, mainly good, address on verso counter-signed (Free Post) "H.Gally Knight", M.P., traveller and writer. Notation top left corner "F.66.Cole. CR". Text as follows: "The enclosed will prove to you that you are not forgotten. I am but just recovered from a dreadful illness, which has shared one half of my person and two thirds of my purse: but the Tour [Northern Counties and Scotland [see full details below] has been triumphant - and will, I trust, be profitable. | I hope you continue well - [...] and that the dear bokes [sic], inclduing the Shakespeare and the Missals, have escaped the Influenza. Shall we ever meety again - and will my fragile and tempest-beaten bark ever get again into smooth water? I hope so. I think so. I am proud, as I ought [underlined] to be, of my new frioends, and alliances in the North [underlined]. I have already got about £250 worth of sweet engravings, and more, to the tune of £800, are to follow. | I do not forget the joyous days [...]". Note 1: The "Tour" referred to is "A bibliographical antiquarian and picturesque tour in the northern counties of England and in Scotland" (London : printed for the author by C. Richards, St. Martin's Lane: and sold by James Bohn, 12, King William Street, Strand, London: Laing and Forbes, Edinburgh: John Smith and Son, Glasgow: and E. Charnley, Newcastle 1838). Note 2: James Bohn "in February 1834 started bookselling on his own account at 12 King William Street, Strand. Here his great knowledge of books soon attracted many customers, and his shop became a meeting-place for some of the most learned men of the day."