Irving, Washington. Autographed Letter Signed. December 17, 1853, three pages, on a bifolium, Sunnyside. To Boston antiquarian John Prince, Esqr, regarding a journey made by Irving with Prince’s father to Martha’s Vinyard. Beautifully written and full of similes and colorful descriptions, Irving states: “I called at your fathers in a sleigh and was ushered into the parlour where I was kindly received by your mother who had a child or two about her; probably yourself for one. Beside the fireplace sat a tall odd looking personage in misty black who made me a very formal salutation. He sat gazing intently at me while I was conversing with your mother and at length delivered himself of som very eridite and sententious truisms.” Later, he describes another individual “a tall lank fellow came in from fishing or boating, with a woe begone face an[d] dripping like a Mer man. He took of a Stov[e] hat soaking wet, that being about his head like the ears of a n elephant...” 5 1/4 x 8”. Portion torn away at right edge of third page, removing a few words and letters from the end ten lines, mounting remnants on the verso. Otherwise good condition.