Marie Corelli, novelist : autograph letter, signed, dated 5 July 1888.

Manuscript in ink, 3 pp., on bifolium of octavo notepaper (180 x 113 mm); headed ’47 Longridge Road, Earl’s Court, S.W.’, the letter is addressed to a Mrs. Bateman, to whom Corelli apologises for being unable to attend a theatrical performance by Mrs. Bateman’s daughter, May (possibly the young writer, May Bateman); the letter is signed at the foot ‘Very sincerely yours, Marie Corelli’, with the date July 5, / 88; tiny nick to the top edge of the first side, otherwise in excellent condition.

‘… I should have been charmed to see your pretty May blossom in a tableau fitted for her winning face, but at the last moment, I find I am already engaged for that particular evening. Will you tell her how much I regret this? and also say how sorry I was that I happened to be out when she called with her sister Alice. I hope she will make a second essay – I should be delighted to welcome them both next “at home” day – Sunday week, if they will come. With love all round, Believe me, Very sincerely yours, Marie Corelli.’

English writer Mary Mackay (1855-1924) –  best known by her pseudonym Marie Corelli – was a best-selling novelist whose works frequently deal with themes such as reincarnation, astral projection and mysticism. Although her writing was condemned by many critics of her time, at the height of her popularity sales of her books far outstripped those of contemporaries such as Arthur Conan Doyle, H. G. Wells, and Rudyard Kipling.