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FRANCIS SCOTT KEY, 1799, Letter Containing Poetry

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Autographs

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Fabulous Early Francis S. Key Letter Containing Poetry

FRANCIS SCOTT KEY, Author of “The Star Spangled Banner”, Poet, and Patriot.
August 20, 1799, Autograph Letter Signed, “F. S. Key”, 12” x 7.25”, one sheet folded, written on two sides, Choice Very Fine. This is an interesting and very early autograph letter, written by Francis Scott Key as a young law student, from Annapolis, Maryland, to a friend and fellow student, John L. Kerr, who would later be a U. S. Senator. The letter concerns Kerr’s sweetheart, an actress named Olivia, and Key’s plan to deflect other suitors away from her. The body of the letter contains three lines of verse, which hints at Key’s later direction toward poetry:
“trifles light as air,
are to the jealous, confirmations strong,
as proof of holy writ.”
This and a July 13, 1799 letter (in our August 2006 sale), may be the earliest known letters incorporating Key’s poetry. The letter sheet is in excellent condition. The integral covering envelope has some tears along the folds, which do not affect any writing.

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