Description
Description: This small archive contains two autograph letters signed, an autographed poem “My Freedom,” an autograph note signed on a visiting card, as well as, an offprint of an article, “Stoddard’s Intended Return Home,” from Boston Evening Transcript, Thursday, October 26, 1911.
In the July 7, 1901 letter, Stoddard thanks James C. Young for his gift of the “quatrains of (the British poet and essayist, Richard) Le Gallienne,” whose works “have afforded me great delight, again and again, as I read and repeat them.” He adds that he would be “happy to write a line in such of my books as you may send me,” and says he will send Young “a copy of my eleventh volume, just published, which I trust will please you and make you love the author.” It is signed, “John L. Stoddard.” The letter is written on four sides of blue stationery of The Union League Club, New York.
“My Freedom,” a poem in six quatrains, was “Written for Mr. James C. Young, Minneapolis” on March 17th/1902″. It is handwritten on two sides of folded ivory bond paper, approx. 8”x5” and signed, “John L. Stoddard.”
On April 19, 1926, Stoddard writes from his home in Meran, Italy thanking Addison Allen of New York for his “charming letter” and “appreciative words.” He says, “I was particularly pleased by your offer of ‘the right fellowship as a native American and citizen of the US.” About his much “misunderstood” attitude regarding WWI he says, “I urged (what thousands are saying now) that the United States should keep out of this European tragedy.” We learn that he stays on in Italy as the War broke out before he could return, and because he owned real estate in Lake Cuomo. He invites Allen to visit and “if it be summer, we can forget the Volstead amendment, & over a bottle of Tryoler wine talk of days which are pleasant & sometimes poignant to recall.” Signed, “Very Truly Yours: John L. Stoddard.” The letter is hand written on six pages of laid paper bearing a Stoddard insignia. Approx. 8½”x5½”
The “1926/1927” greeting to Mr. and Mrs. Addison Ellen reads: “Many good wishes for a Happy New Year to those who have contributed to make our just vanished year a happy one!” Signed, “Yours sincerely: John L. Stoddard.” The New Year’s wishes are on the verso of a Stoddard, 4”x2”, Italian visiting card. Also included is an English version of his visiting card.
John L. Stoddard (1850-1931) was a well-known and popular lecturer, prolific author and poet. His collected lectures were published as John L. Stoddard Lectures. He lectured widely about his travels, including impressions of Italy and Paris.
James C. Young (1856-?) was a bibliophile and a real estate magnate in Minneapolis. He was appointed Honorary Commissioner of the US to the Paris exposition in 1878. He was nicknamed “King of Books” for pursuing authors around the world for their autographs.
Addison Allen (1865-1940?) was a lawyer in Westchester Country, New York.
Included are three postally used transmittal envelopes addressed in Stoddard’s hand. Item #A01608
Condition: Fold lines, otherwise very good condition.
