LEAR, Edward (1812-1888). Artist and nonsense poet.
Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs Ford, 2 pages 8vo (very slight age-toning to first page), 15 Stratford Place, 30 June 1865. Sending two photographs, evidently of himself, for her collection, and commeninting on the previous evening's doings at Dorchester House.

'... I send you 2 photographs for your collection; -one, (the most professional,) was done this winter: the other (the head,) some time back: it is said by my friends to be a mixture of Socrates, Sir John Falstaff & Sancho Panza, & has an air prelusive of apoplexy.
Last evening at Dorchester house was a regular treat: but I wonder if many of the pedestrians were drowned. ...'

Dorchester House, the London home of the Marquesses of Hertford, was on the site of the present Dorchester Hotel.
[No: 21111]