Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr. James' [the novelist Henry James?].

Author: 
William Dean Howells (1837-1920), American novelist and literary critic
Publication details: 
7 February 1886; Auburndale.
£200.00
SKU: 6030

12mo: 2 pp. Good, with thin strip of glue and grey paper from previous mounting adhering at foot of reverse (not affecting text). While it is possible that Howell may have given 'Mr. Gill' [tMichael Henry Gill, later of McLashan & Gill?] 'letters [of introduction]' when he 'went to New York ten or fifteen years ago', it is unlikely. 'I'm so forgetful that I can't be positive; but I think I never gave any sort of introduction to any one.' Howells knew Gill 'as a clerk with Ticknor & Fields, and afterwards as a publisher, but I don't think I ever spoke half a dozen times with him.' He can't remember 'giving him letters', but he 'never knew harm of him'. Note: no "Gill" appears in the indexes of the Henry James letters ed Edel = for what that's worth.