Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
(800) 937-3880
SELL

Lot #577
James Whitcomb Riley Autograph Letter Signed

This lot has closed

Estimate: $200+
Sell a Similar Item?
Share:  

Description

ALS, one page, 4.5 x 7.25, January 23, 1907. Handwritten letter to Arthur Edward Stilwell, who founded the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad and Port Arthur, Texas. In full: “Friend of my Youth: How I would like to make the glorious pilgrimage once more with you, but simply cannot: Neither leisure nor health permits me anything now but work or worry—when overworked, I worry, of course; and when overworried, I’ve got to work to get rid of the worry.—Surely a bewildering state to be in—most any other old state’ud suit me better,—specially Texas or the Mexiques—any of’em, so you and your eternal your eternal [sic] youth were along. The voiceful socks you sent me from Paris are now under treatment at a throat specialists’ here—having strained their vocal chords in Oratorio work, trying to fill the vast auditorium of Tomlinson Hall—the dreadful accoustics of which, over and over again, have reduced the most thundrous vocables of a sheepskin band to a sigh no louder than a lisping gas-leak. Want to see you again, in full melodious panoply of verseful composition, and hear you likewise, with Brown strollin’ up and down the main street of the organ like he was the only maestro on the Keyboard! Best New Year’s greetings, cheer and godspeeds to you and yours always." He adds a quote as a postscript: "Wouldst have a friend? Wouldst know what friend is best? Have God thy friend: He passeth all the rest." In very good to fine condition, with light soiling, edge toning, and a crease to the upper left corner.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts
  • Dates: #641 - Ended August 10, 2022





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for $50.00

*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.