permissible dropped aitches

[jfletcher]

is the phrase "an historian" correct or is it "a historian"? If the first example is correct is the letter "h" written although it is silent? Are there similar examples?
Yours faithfully (not sincerely or regards or cheers!),
a somewhat pedantic John Fletcher

[abaka]

is the phrase "an historian" correct or is it "a historian"? If the first example is correct is the letter "h" written although it is silent? Are there similar examples?
Yours faithfully (not sincerely or regards or cheers!),
a somewhat pedantic John Fletcher

Both are used. The "an" reflects an h that's missing or practically not there. For example, "an higher" can be found even in a few academic papers. Write it as you say it, or rather as you like.