[Alfred Austin, Poet Laureate.] Autograph Signature with Autograph Note disavowing poems. On printed acknowledgement of ‘Kind Congratulations’ (at his appointment).

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Wilfred Scawen Blunt’s assessment was brutal: ‘It is strange his poetry should be such poor stuff, and stranger still that he should imagine it immortal.’ And it is ironic that Austin may not have even written the lines for which he is now principally remembered, on the illness of the Prince of Wales: ‘Flashed from his bed the electric message came | He is not better, he is much the same’. 1p, 12mo. On the first leaf of a bifolium of good watermarked wove paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with the reverse of the second leaf grubby and carrying traces of mount. Central vertical fold. Printed text: ‘[at head] Sinford Old Manor, / Ashford, Kent. / [centred] With Best Thanks / For Kind Congratulations. [on his appointment as Poet Laureate]’ By the heading Austin has written the date ‘Jan. 9 96.’, and beneath the thanks a firm bold signature, shortly underlined twice, ‘Alfred Austin.’ Beneath this, in lighter ink: ‘P: S. The poems you refer to are not by me.’