A small archive of nineteenth-century American authors' autographs, perfect for a dealer or literary collector. Featuring the autographs of Nathaniel Parker Willis (1806-1867), George Washington Cable (1844-1925), and Donald G. Mitchell (1822-1908), whose pen name was Ik Marvel.

The lot is comprised of three autographed cream stock cards, all approximately 3.625" x 2.25." Two of three cards have been lightly labeled in pencil by a former collector. The Willis and Mitchell cards have slightly crimped corners resulting from how they were previously displayed. Else near fine.

1. A card boldly signed by Nathaniel Parker Willis as "N P Willis" at the center.

2. A card signed and inscribed by George Washington Cable as "Yours truly / Go. W. Cable" at the center. Mounting traces verso.

3. A card neatly signed and inscribed by Donald G. Mitchell as "Dond: G. Mitchell / Edgewood." Lightly toned. Edgewood was the name of Mitchell's estate near New Haven, Connecticut.

These authors--nearly forgotten by readers and neglected by scholars today--were extremely popular and best-selling writers in their day.

Willis was a poet, travel writer, and newspaper contributor. He was the highest paid magazine writer in America by the early 1840s, surpassing even the earnings of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Cable, who has been called the first modern Southern writer, wrote extensively about Creole culture in the Deep South. In this way, he anticipated many of the regional themes explored by William Faulkner in the following century. Cable's frank treatment of race, racial mixing, and racism was progressive for the age.

Donald G. Mitchell/Ik Marvel wrote lovely pastoral, sentimental, and nostalgic essays and sketches. One of Emily Dickinson's favorite authors, Ik Marvel was called "one of the pleasantest of our American writers" by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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