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Lot #489
Gamaliel Bradford

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Estimate: $200+
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Description

American biographer, critic, and poet (1863-1932) once regarded as the 'Dean of American Biographers.' Collection of seven TLSs by Gamaliel Bradford, each one page, dated from 1919 to 1930. Bradford discusses publishing and his work. One letter, in part: "I am sorry you should have had a moment's disturbance about the little volume. I could not possibly imagine how your Society could publish it to advantage any way. I think my verses have certain merits of their own, but they are not the merits that sell or secure a wide popular reading, and I think whatever little general reputation I have would probably hurt the poems rather than help them. People would say, 'He! He is a biographer, he can't write poetry' and they would smile and pass by on the other side." Another, in part: "I thoroughly relish and approve the spirit of your patriotic hymn…In my quite wide acquaintance with Southern people I think there is a general disposition to tolerate if not to admire Lincoln and certainly appreciation and respect for Lee are growing everywhere in the North…The fury about Prohibition is so much greater than anything sectional that the latter seems mild by comparison. I do not advise you to attempt a hymn for or against the great deity alcohol, though, as you say, there might be a considerable amount of advertising in it." In overall fine condition, with folds and trimmed edges to some letters.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts
  • Dates: #635 - Ended May 11, 2022