[Day, F. Holland- Substantial Archive of Eight Letters To F. Holling Day from the Daughter of Keats' Friend] ALS Archive to F. Holland Day from Mary F. Macareth Regarding F H. Day's Research on Keats

Eight letters from Mary F. Macareth to F. Holland Day comprising replies and queries to his letters over a sixth month period (Aug. 11, 1890 to Feb. 13, 1891) regarding her father, George Macareth, who was a close associate with John Keats in early days of studying medicine. Fred Holland Day was an enthusiastic collector of John Keats, amassed a large collection of Keats and Keatsiana, and he led the campaign which resulted in the first memorial to Keats (placed in Hampstead Church in 1894. These letters were written by Keats during his stays in London and Madrid, while he was doing especially comprehensive research on Keats. In these letters, it is clear that Day was trying to obtain Keats-related material from Macareth, and the exchanges indicate a rather straightforward individual trying at once to help a prominent figure, as well as trying to safeguard her own interests (see below). Eight letters, 12mo, very good or better condition, all but one are accompanied by the original envelope, addressed to "F. Holland Day Esqre, with the following addresses: 39 Medford Square, London, W.C., 18 Tavistock Street, Medford Square, London, W.C. c/o Muring Brothers & Co, S. Muchopyate Street, London. E.C., Grand Hotel de la Paiz, Madrid; and " Normy"?Mass, America1) Aug 11, 1890, 3pp; 2) Aug 21, 1890. 28 pages in total. Some brief snatches: aug 11 (daughter of George Macareth) "I have a pencil drawing which I believe was done by Keats, or Severn, whey they were all young men. I do not think it a flattering likeness..." Oct 11th. "I have this morning received the photograph of Keats forwarded from Elvington. She writes about several paintings which may be of some interest, she will write to her brother as well, and then: "Will you excuse me if I ask plainly what is your position or calling in life as I shuld then feel more freedom in my correspondence. Of course you are a perfect stranger to me so I trust will take my question in the right light." Oct 17: "I received the enclosed photograph from my sister... I think the same as the one I have. It is a very good one and represents my Father at the age of about 70. I have received an autograph of my Father's which I enclose. I fear I did not answer your question about the pencil drawing which you asked in your last letter. the lost miniature is not at all the same. I know the drawing is perfectly safe, only I cannot get to it at present. Dec 4: I received your kind letter yestrday and am extremely obliged to you for lending me the prints from my Father's picture which I think are very good. Feb 13, 1891: Dear sir. I am now in possession of the pencil drawing of my faterh, and shall be glad to forward it to you if you still wish to see it. . I think it was done by Severn." George Mackereth (who kept trying to discard his middle name, Wilson) were not only fellow students but shared accommodation with Keats for a year from October 1815 at 28 St Thomas Street (now marked by a blue plaque though the house is long gone). To be sure, FHD was saddened to here it was done by Severn, and not Keats. A most scarce and interesting archive indeed, with plenty to mined here on both F. Holland Day as well as John Keats.