Autograph Letter Signed ("Nathl Hawthorne") to R.W. Griswold, transmitting the manuscript of his unpublished "The Snow Image.

1850. One page, Lenox, Aug. 23d 1850. Loosely inserted in: THE MEMORIAL: written by Friends of the Late Mrs. Osgood and edited by Mary E. Hewitt. With Illustrations... New York: George P. Putnam, 1851. Original full brown morocco elaborately decorated in gilt, all page edges gilt.

THE MEMORIAL was an illustrated gift book, in honor of Frances Sargent Locke Osgood ("Fanny," 1811-1850), a prominent poetess and one of the most popular women writers of her time -- who on May 12th had died of consumption at the age of 38. THE MEMORIAL was edited by Mary E. Hewitt, with a memoir by sub-editor Rufus W. Griswold, and includes more than sixty contributions (truncated) from American literary figures of the day. Hawthorne's contribution (though he was paid for it) is his tale "The Snow Image. A Childish Miracle," occupying pages 41-58 -- which, when he sent it to Griswold for inclusion, had not yet been published. The hefty leatherbound volume is in very good-plus condition (slightly scuffed at the corners, curious clipping pinned to rear free endpaper, some leaves including 44-49 stained from the pressing of flowers). Clark C22 (also see D79 and A19). Provenance: gift inscription from ? to Abby S. Perkins dated "Essex, Sept. 27, 1852". The text of the brief letter from Hawthorne to Griswold (which is in near-fine condition, with slight wear at the main fold) reads: "My dear Sir, | I happen to have a story by me, which perhaps may answer the purpose for which you desire one; and with that will I take pleasure in transmitting it. | Truly Yours, Nathl Hawthorne." The letter was folded into thirds, on the back of which Hawthorne wrote "R.W. Griswold | New York." On the same day, Hawthorne wrote another letter (not included -- now held by Columbia University) to his publisher J.T. Fields, in a P.S. of which he writes "Griswold has written me about an article for a Souvenir which he is going to edit, for the purpose of erecting a monument to Mrs. Osgood. If you are going to New York, perhaps you will take charge of the accompanying packet for him. It is a story which I happen to have by me, intended for another purpose. He offers to pay for it [$50.00] and as I did not know Mrs. Osgood, there does not seem to be much reason why I should decline payment...". It is likely that NH's letter to Griswold, so simply folded and addressed, was in fact sent inside his other letter to Fields. In any case Griswold did receive the manuscript via Fields, and it was type-set for THE MEMORIAL -- but before that was published at the very end of December 1850, Griswold got permission for it to appear in the November issue of International Miscellany of Literature Art & Science, of which he was the editor. "The Snow Image" would go on to be published in Hawthorne's THE SNOW-IMAGE, AND OTHER TWICE-TOLD TALES in December 1851; there would also be a separate edition, illustrated in color, in 1864. (Inventory #: 15676)