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American writer (1886–1918), best known for the much-anthologized poem Trees; he was killed at the Second Battle of Marne at the age of 31. World War I-dated TLS, two pages, 8.5 x 11, The New York Times letterhead, May 11, 1916. Letter to author Ellis Parker Butler, in full: “I thank you for your letter, just received. You certainly are taking a fine ethical stand in the matter of separate engagements, and I appreciate it. However there is this complication, several days ago I met Pond on the street and he said that he had an offer from somewhere in New England asking for me alone, and believing that it was for some time before our regular engagement season, I told him to go ahead on it. Therefore I personally have no right to object to your taking Buffalo by yourself. Perhaps it will even matter up for you to take Buffalo and for me to take the New England date on the same evening, but for us afterwards to make a rule that we will only take engagements as a team.
I think that we might make an exception of addresses, using them to fill in along the line. We might have a free day somewhere out West, and instead of sitting around and drinking near-beer in the Mansion House, you could address the local school of journalism or Board of Commerce on 'Flushing Politics' or something of the sort, and I could lecture on some literary topic at some nearby Catholic college. But I don't think that we ought to perform our regular stunts separately. Your statement of the case, as to the danger of separation weakening the selling strength of the combination as a combination, surely is sound.
My wife and I will expect to meet you and Mrs. Butler in the main dining room of the Hotel Seville on Tuesday night at 6:30 pm. At the Dickens Fellowship meeting, I'll have about forty minutes I'll want you to fill, which I will divide into two periods, with some music in between. You will read anything you feel like reading. I'm grateful to you for helping me out in my Dickens Fellowship show, and as you know, I'll reciprocate any time I can.” In very good to fine condition, with a paperclip impression to the top edge, and some chipping to the right edge.
Written just a year before Joyce Kilmer enlisted for service in World War I and two years before he was killed by a sniper's bullet during the Second Battle of the Marne, this letter concerns the joint lecture engagements of Kilmer and fellow author Ellis Parker Butler, best known for Pigs Is Pigs. References to speaking engagements, a Dickens Fellowship meeting, and dinner plans with the Butlers provide an appealing glimpse into the literary activities of both men in 1916.
From the personal collection of a lifelong collector, teacher, and traveler with a passion for world history. His collecting years ranged from the 1970s to the present day, meaning that several of the premier pieces have not been on the market in decades.
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