4.5x7” written in third person in ink: “Mr. John Tenniel Regrets Very Much That Owing To A Previous Engagement He Cannot Have The Honour Of Accepting The Polite Invitation Of The President And Vice-Presidents Of The Royal College Of Surgeons, To The Dinner On Friday, The 14th Of February.” He adds an address and date of “Feb. 1st 1879.” Letter has lt. rippling, aging at lower right, 2” sliver off upper left margin edge. VG. Letter comes in c. 1920s original 9x13” folder as sold by book publisher E.P. Dutton New York Rare Book Department. Inside has typewritten copy of the letter glued in place as issued. Folder is heavily worn w/edge tears and aging. Just Good, but provides provenance. Tenniel began his career as an illustrator for “Punch” in England, and had great fame illustrating first printings of “Alice Adventures In Wonderland” in 1865 and “Through The Looking Glass” in 1872. Comes with Hake’s COA.