[London]: n.p., [1873]. This is a particularly personal letter from the great 19th century artist, writer, designer, and Socialist William Morris. Morris wrote this four-page letter to Aglaia Coronio in 1873 when he was thirty-nine years old [See Kelvin's Collected Letters of William Morris, Volume I, letter 183]. Aglaia Coronio (1834 - 1906), was a British embroiderer, bookbinder, art collector and patron of the arts. She was a close confidante of Morris, particularly during the 1870s, and also a personal friend of Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

Morris wrote to Aglaia frequently, both at home and on his travels. He also visited her periodically. Their close personal relationship allowed Morris to turn to her to ease his distress over his wife Jane’s affair with Gabriel Rossetti. This letter was written during the height of Jane and Rossetti’s affair, but Morris betrayed little of the delicacy or discomfort of the situation in it. Even though Aglaia was a close friend and confidante, Morris was circumspect about his situation. He does not attribute his low spirits to his wife’s affair or the presence of Rossetti at his home, Kelmscott. He writes in this letter that he is very dull and uncheerful, but assures Aglaia that she should not be "alarmed for any domestic tragedy; nothing has happened to tell of and my dullness comes all out of my own heart." Much of the remainder of the letter discusses his move in London from Queen Square to a house on the Turnham Green road. He writes about the specifics of the move and its advantages, about being able to see his children soon, and about his Icelandic translations and the possibility of an Icelandic voyage later in the year. He says that he hadn't been able to write poetry and that it was no use trying to force it, and that the translations were amusing and exciting enough for the while. He ends by writing that he hopes that in her next letter to him that she will say that she is coming back. He closes with "your affectionate William Morris."

The letter is written on a bi-fold that opens to 8 x10.5 inches. It is partly split along the middle fold. Unfortunately, a previous owner saw fit to use seven small cellophane tape pieces along the edges to repair small tears or reinforce the paper. They have discolored the paper surrounding the pieces and and a few words of text. Despite this the letter is still quite legible and nice. Housed in an archival paper folder. LETTER/082522. Very Good.

Item #35989

Price: $4,500.00