Johnson, Samuel.

apologising for his tardy response to her letters and discussing the presentation copies of Rasselas, then just published ("...I sent last week four of my Works, one for you, one for your Aunt Hunter who was with my poor dear Mother when she died, one for Mr Howard, and one for Kitty..."), one page, 8vo, 10 May 1759, integral address leaf with remains of black wax seal impression and postal mark, spotting, fold tears, mounted

"...tell me how you like my little book..."

In this letter Johnson writes of sending copies of what would come to be his most popular work to family and friends of his mother in Lichfield. Lucy Porter (1715-86) was Johnson's step-daughter and, after Johnson's departure to London, she assisted in running his mother's bookshop. Johnson's mother had died in January 1759 and he wrote Rasselas, which was published on 20 April, to cover the costs of her funeral and repay her debts.