A fine autograph letter signed (ALS) by Thomas James Mathias (1754–1835), poet, satirist, and one of the greatest English scholars of Italian since John Milton. Written from Pizzofalcone, Naples, and dated 5 May 1833, this is a classic late‑period Mathias letter with strong literary content.

Mathias writes to an unnamed correspondent, presenting a freshly printed copy of his own Italian poetic volume “Canzoni Toscane”. The letter reads:

“My dear Sir, I flatter myself that you will do me the favour to accept the enclosed little volume entitled, ‘Canzoni Toscane’, of which a new edition has been lately printed in Naples. Believe me, Yours faithfully T. J. Mathias 74 Monte d’Iddio Pizzofalcone May 5. 1833.”

Canzoni Toscane (“Tuscan Songs”) is a highly regarded collection of Italian lyric poetry authored by Mathias himself. Despite being an Englishman, Mathias was exceptionally fluent in Italian and is often ranked as one of the finest English Italianists since Milton.

During his long residence in Naples, Mathias frequently printed new or separate editions of his Italian compositions, using these elegant volumes as literary gifts among friends, expatriates, and scholars. This letter is a perfect example of that practice: Mathias sending a newly printed Neapolitan edition of his own Italian verse to a correspondent.

The letter is pasted to an old album page, exactly as typical of 19th‑century autograph collections.

Guaranteed original manuscript letter in Mathias’s hand. Pencil life‑dates are a later collector’s addition.

Condition as photos. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.

  • Thomas James Mathias, FRS (c.1754 – Aug 1835) was a British satirist and scholar.


  • PROVENANCE:

    • One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil. 

    Winifred Alice Myers (1909 - 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004. 

    Complete with digital .jpg CoA - as photo - for you to print if needed

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