PORTMAN SQUARE. W.]
24th June 1881
My dear Palgrave Simpson
If you happen to
be in the neighbourhood
of the Athenaeum
on the day of the
ballot -- Monday
next, between 4
and 6 -- will you
oblige me by voting
for my friend,
ALS to John Palgrave Simpson. Single sheet of blue machine made paper, no watermark, 179x226mm, folded, integral blank, 1 cm tear on first page down fold not affecting text. Dated [Friday] 24 June 1881.
The Public Face of Wilkie Collins III 299.
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[90, GLOUCESTER PLACE, PORTMAN SQUARE. W.] 24th June 1881 My dear Palgrave Simpson If you happen to be in the neighbourhood of the Athenaeum on the day of the ballot -- Monday next, between 4 and 6 -- will you oblige me by voting for my friend, |
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Mr Charles Kent? I have seconded him -- in the place of poor Dickens. Always truly yours Wilkie Collins Palgrave Simpson Esq |
NOTES
The Athanaeum club in Pall Mall was founded in 1824. Wilkie's father William
Collins was a founder member and Wilkie was elected in April 1861 and remained a
member until his death.
Charles Kent (1823-1902) was a friend of Collins and an admirer of Dickens.
John Palgrave Simpson (1807-1887), was a novelist and travel writer who was a friend of Collins. Several letters to him are extant.