Etruscan Roman Remains in Popular Tradition , with Important Three Page ALS

London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1892. The First Trade Edition, there was also a limited edition of 100 copies. Very Good in the original salmon cloth with black decorations to boards; title in red on front and spine, Unwin monogram likewise on rear. Color frontispiece. Spine darkened and red title dulled, 3" tear top edge half-title page, light foxing to end pages, period interesting bookplate front pastedown. From the collection of the Richard M. Dorson Memorial Library, Folklore Institute, Indiana University, the only library indicators being its stamp verso of frontispiece and blindstamp to title page. With RARE and important three page ALS tipped to front end page, sent from Leland at the Hotel Victoria, Florence, Italy, to Mr Sampson ( noted linguist John Sampson ), possiby dated 1899, with "99" after heading. "Dear Mr Sampson, I have written and sent you separately by this mail that which I contribute to our book." He then discusses his wishes for the Preface and Introduction before adding "The Tinkers. This is quite unfinished. It needs a great deal from you. Please note that I have got some queer items as to the Tinkers of old times." In the next paragraph he mentions Shelta, Shelta Thari being an esoteric language spoken by the tinkers which Leland had discovered in 1876. He goes on to ask "Can you send me an Old Irish alphabet', and later "I hope it will not take you long to put together what you and Professor Meyer will give", referring to Professor Kuno Meyer, a German scholar, distinguished in the field of Celtic philology and literature. Then an address in Hamburg, Germany where he can be reached after June, and "Sincerely, Charle G. Leland". While I can find no book that these three men published together, Sampson and Meyer did much work later to carry forward research and knowledge of the Shelta language and customs. A quite fascinating correspondence and ASSOCIATION COPY. . HOLOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED. First Trade Edition. Decorative Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket, As Issued. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.