c.1895 William Black ALS Brighton 19th Cent Literary Letter Chicago “Sanda Fros” For Sale

William Black – Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) – Brighton – Literary Content on “Sanda Fros” & Chicago Publication – with Portrait

Offered here is an original autograph letter signed by William Black (1841–1898), noted Scottish novelist and journalist, best known for A Daughter of Heth, The Strange Adventures of a Phaeton, and A Princess of Thule. Written on Paston House, Paston Place, Brighton letterhead, the letter is accompanied by a period printed photographic portrait captioned “William Black.”

Letter content:

Addressed to “Dear James” (possibly fellow novelist James Payn), Black asks whether his friend knows an American writer named “Sanda Fros”, explaining that the author recently published a “paraphrase of Scotch love notes” in the Chicago America. He humorously wonders whether the writer is “a he or a she,” remarking it would be “insulting” to address the author without knowing “his sex, or its gender.” Black goes on to say he is “head over ears in work” but looks forward “with much delightful anticipation” to meeting the following week.

On the closing leaf, Black adds a brief postscript:

> “you Alfred comes on at the Reform on June 5th.”

Ever yours, William Black

Why it’s interesting:

Witty, personable letter offering a glimpse into Black’s literary network and curiosity about an American author.

Rare transatlantic literary reference to a Chicago publication in the 1890s.

Reform Club mention connects to Black’s social circle in London.

The byline “Sanda Fros” remains untraced, adding a mystery element for researchers and collectors.

Condition:

Two-page folded sheet, toned with light scattered foxing, a small stain on the closing leaf, and an old diagonal fold. Ink remains dark and legible. Portrait print in very good condition with minimal wear.

Dimensions:

Letter: approx. 7 x 4.5 inches (folded)

Portrait: approx. 8.25 x 5.25 inches

Guaranteed original and from a private collection of 19th-century literary correspondence.

Keywords: William Black, Victorian novelist, Scottish author, autograph letter signed, ALS, literary correspondence, Chicago press, Reform Club, 19th century literature, James Payn, Victorian ephemera, Sanda Fros, autograph collecting.