American author and poet (1849–1916) best known for writing in ‘Hoosier’ dialect and for his children’s poems. ALS signed “J. W. Riley,” one page, 4 x 6.25, Indianapolis, February 22, 1892. Letter to editor J. M. Stoddart. In part: “Thrice heroic is my desire, at least, to most agreeably answer your request for a portrait suitable to print. Of the three I submit, the one you select shall be my choice. In point of likeness, my friends at home approve about equally, in general,—but one picture (the double one) has been printed in a child’s book of mine;—another, engraved but never published (and, I think, the best one;)—while third and last—a Barraud photograph, London—is said to have artistic p[o]ints.” In fine condition, with slight show-through from mounting remnants to reverse. Throughout his career, Riley published a number of short works in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine, edited by Stoddart, which is best known for the initial publication and censorship of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. It seems that Riley must have been submitting a photo for inclusion in the magazine to accompany one of his works. RR Auction COA.
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