Details
ELGAR, Sir Edward (1857-1934). Autograph letter signed to Mrs E.M. (Caroline) Underwood, Plas Gwyn, Hereford, 18 December 1908, an affectionate and lighthearted letter of thanks apparently for a statue of the god Pan, 'You are in my heart and the Pan is in my hearth...He is too proud (and so are you) & too handsome (so are you) to be put in the background', blue-black ink, 1 page on a bifolium, 4to (226 x 180mm.).
Mrs Underwood was the daughter of Archdeacon Musgrave of Hereford, where she lived, and was the wife of a solicitor. She was a longstanding friend of Elgar. The letter is written two weeks after the première of the first symphony conducted by Hans Richter (to whom it was dedicated) and the date suggests that Pan may well have been a Christmas present.
Mrs Underwood was the daughter of Archdeacon Musgrave of Hereford, where she lived, and was the wife of a solicitor. She was a longstanding friend of Elgar. The letter is written two weeks after the première of the first symphony conducted by Hans Richter (to whom it was dedicated) and the date suggests that Pan may well have been a Christmas present.