Author, suffragette, dramatist, poet, and biographer, best remembered for the lyrics to Battle Hymn of the Republic. Important ALS, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 7, February 19, 1899. A letter of exceeding interest in which Howe discusses at length a specific image from Battle Hymn of the Republic. In part: “I say that Christ was born ‘in the beauty of the lilies,’ because the angel who announces to Mary that she is to be his mother always, in religious pictures, bears a bunch of lilies. Also, the dear Lord said: ‘Consider the lilies of the field,’ etc. It is simply the expression, poetical, I hope, of mental association of both mother and son with the lily flowers. There is another word: ‘I am the Son of Man and the Lily of the Valley.’ It is hard to explain both phrases to very prosaic minds.” Letters in which Howe discusses her most famous work are of the utmost scarcity and desirability. In fine condition, with light horizontal fold. COA John Reznikoff and R&R COA.
