Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Ashby-Sterry') to 'Mary H. Tennyson' [pseudonym of Mary H. Folkard], 6 Saint George's Square, Regent's Park, N.W.

Two pages, 16mo. Very good. Twenty-two lines, attractively written in purple ink beneath a letterhead printed in bright red. With postmarked envelope, addressed in autograph and carrying a penny stamp. He thanks her for sending him a copy of her book 'The Luck of John Seaton'. 'It reached me down in the country where, strange to say, I was already half way through it. I bought it at the railway station & had not arrived at the name of the author, when I received your letter. They ought to always put the name on the cover.' He enjoyed the story 'from beginning to end'. 'It is full of power & strikingly original.' Discusses the 'character-drawing'. 'If I can do anything for it - or urge others to do so - I shall be indeed happy'. Sends regards to Miss Folkard. Has been 'fortunate enough to acquire a small version of "Five o'clock in the Morning', which he imagines 'might be the sketch for the large picture'. In the light of this letter the British Library Catalogue's dating of 'John Seaton' to 1905 should be ammended to the previous year.