COOPER, James Fenimore (1789-1851)

Autograph letter signed ("J. Fenimore Cooper"), to Major William Edward Frye (1784-1853). N.p., 9 April [no year, ca. late 1830s]

One page, square 12mo (114 x 104 mm), a few pale stains, one short separation along fold. Item #403588

Cooper apparently returns a copy of a translation of Frithiof’s saga, or The legend of Frithiof by Esaias Tegner (London, 1835), edited and translated in part by Frye:

“My dear Major, I send back the Danes, big and little, Swedes, ‘pioneers and all.’ We think ‘Frithiof’ a striking poem, and owe you an especial notice for having translated it into any other than your mother tongue. With many thanks and constant good wishes, I am my dear Major, yours very truly J. Fenimore Coooper. Do you see the republicans were like to get the republic of Frankfurt. What a thing is a name.” 

It is known that Herman Melville read Frithiof’s saga, and it fits that Cooper too would look to other epics in the process of writing his own of America.

Price: $1,100.00