[Dionysius Lardner, Irish scientific writer, editor of the Cabinet Cyclopaedia.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Dion: Lardner') to Messrs Dickinson & Co, regarding a business proposal, with part of signed document about an 'article' 'fabricated from rags'

Both the letter and the accompanying document are in fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Both items signed 'Dion: Lardner'. ONE: Letter to Dickinson & Co. 1p, 12mo. He wishes to add 'these few lines' to 'the enclosed business letter' (not present), 'to aprise you that from the private knowledge I have of the parties interested in the business that I am of opinion that they are entitled to serious attention. The [?] is still unworked and totally unknown to the public or the trade and if you [?] find the specimen of pulp favorable a sufficient quantity could be forwarded to enable you to entrust to a trial on a sufficient scale to test its capabilities'. TWO: Conclusion of Manuscript Proposal, signed by Lardner, regarding an 'article'. 1p, landscape 12mo. Text in another hand, valediction by Lardner: 'I remain, Dear Sirs, | Yours very truly | Dion: Lardner'. (The 'Sirs' suggests that this item relates to Item One.) Reads: '[...] both in color and texture to any that can be fabricated from rags. | In the above estimate the raw material is put down at 5s. per Cwt but in point of fact this is a mere conjectural estimate in which a value is taken upon the principles that a greatly increased demand might give an augmented value to the article | At present the article can be procured almost for nothing.'