American journalist and humorist (1852-1939) credited with bringing the phrase 'There's a sucker born every minute' into print in his 1898 novel A Yankee from the West, although the phrase seems to have already been in verbal use and is often credited to P. T. Barnum. Two signed items: a 4.25 x 6.5 cabinet photo of Read by Stevens of Chicago, signed on the mount in ink, "Yours sincerely, Opie P. Read"; and an ALS signed "Opie Read," one page, 6 x 9.5, Press Club of Chicago letterhead, October 19, 1897, in part: "There is never any comparison between the literature of the past and the literature of the present. The present is always under suspicion; the past is aglow with endearments." In overall very good to fine condition, with two punch holes to the cabinet card.
