Autograph Letter Signed ('Southesk') from the Scottish nobleman and poet James Carnegie, 9th Earl of Southesk [Sir James Carnegie of Kinnaird and of Pitcarrow], dealing cannily with the autograph hunter John J. Baron of Blackburn.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. In original envelope, with stamp, three postmarks and red wax seal, addressed by Southesk to 'John J. Baron Esq. | 48 Griffin Street | Wilton | Blackburn | England.' Unaware that Baron is a barefaced autograph hunter, he expresses regret that, having no copies of his own works to hand, he is 'unable to accede to the very gratifying request of the lady referred to by you, as desirous to have two verses of my poems, in my own handwriting'. He asks Baron to 'inform the lady that I will make a note of her wishes, and will not forget to fulfil them on my return home in Spring'. He discusses the availability of his book of travels 'Saskatchewan and the Rocky Mountains', and of 'a "privately printed" poem of mine, "Lurida Lumina"'. Turning the tables on Baron, he suggests that if he should order the travel book from the Edinburgh booksellers Douglas and Foulis and mention Southesk's name, he will also receive the other volume. 'Parts of it might not suit the general reader, so I daresay you will read it yourself before allowing it to be seen by others.'