Autograph Letter Signed / Unsigned Cabinet Card

This mainstay of the 19th century literary scene was a popular, influential liberal journalist and long-time editor of the "New York Evening Post," but is best remembered as a prolific poet whose best-known piece, "Thanatopsis," was written as a teenager. ALS, 1p, 5" X 8", New York, NY, 11 January 1865. Addressed to Richard Lathert. Very good. Lightly age toned, with inoffensive small mounting trace at top margin. On lightly-lined paper, Bryant boldly pens in rich brown ink the president of the Board of Directors of the Great Historic Insurance Company that "I am sorry that an indispensable engagement deprives me of the pleasure of accepting the invitation with which I have been honored, to the Annual Dinner of the Directors of your Board...." Accompanied by an outstandingly bright and pristine cabinet card photograph of Bryant, heavy stock round-cornered (as issued) 4¼" X 6½". Verso blank, but fine print below image reveals publication in New York, NY by Sarony in 1873. Bold full facsimile Bryant signature along bottom. Famous old-age three-quarters head-and-shoulders portrait of white-bearded Bryant with what appears to be a coarse cloth swathed about his shoulders toga-style. A superb pair.