531. HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN Excessively rare, fine association A.L.S., 2pp. 8vo., Soro, Sept. 28, 1855, to Jonas Collin, Sr., co-director of the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, who took the young Andersen under his wing when he was about 14. Collin was a patron of the arts and had funds on behalf of King to spend on worthy causes. He arranged for Andersen to attend grammar school in the countryside after his theatrical career ended. Collin actually bought Andersen into his home a member of his family, and ordered his son, Edvard, to be his friend and financial advisor. Andersen addresses Collin, Sr., as "My faithful and fatherly friend", and writes, in part: "..Now I have reached Soro and today feel better...when I left Glorup the day before yesterday, I had such stomach trouble...I reached the Ingemann family, who were happy to welcome me...tomorrow evening...I shall take the coach from here and then expect to reach Copenhagen on Sunday...I have to talk to Hartmann about Liden Kirsten, and I suppose he is still in Rothskilde!...On Sunday I dine with you, and the Lind family will be there and also Gusta [Augusta] Collin...P.S. My ticket is to be renewed at the theatre..." Andersen's affectionate and thankful letter well-illustrates his gratitude to Collin for his benefaction and support. This letter is classified as having been "lost" from Andersen's complete correspondence and therefore is of the utmost rarity. Very good condition.$1,500-2,000