Lot 345

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Description:

Walt Whitman Beautifully Signed Carte de Visite and ALS, Asking for Copies of a Review

An autograph letter signed on Attorney General's Office stationery, 1p, measuring 5" x 8", Washington, D.C., dated March 31, 1868. Signed "Walt Whitman" and addressed to John Swinton. Whitman asks to be sent copies of a recent paper, writing: "Could you send me two or three copies of the Sunday edition, Times, March 29 - containing Swinburne's William Blake - or any other edition (weekly or semi weekly) containing that article? Or, if plenty, send me half a dozen copies." With flattened mail folds, a slightly rough left edge, and light uneven toning. Boldly signed.

Accompanied by a fantastic Signed carte de visite of Whitman, measuring 2.5" x 4.25", New York, circa 1871. Signed at the top edge "Walt Whitman". Produced by New York photographer J. Gurney. No backstamp present on verso. With slight wear and imperfections at the edges, soiling at the margins, and light toning. Also boldly signed.

Algernon C. Swinburne (1837-1909) was a British poet and critic. In numerous critical publications, particularly in his William Blake, published in 1868, Swinburne favorably reviewed Whitman's works. He had been particularly fond of Whitman's Leaves of Grass, and compared Whitman and Blake, noting their similar styles and calling Whitman's work "fresh and frank". Later, however, Swinburne would become much more critical of Whitman, even going as far as suggesting that Whitman was not much of a poet at all. Whitman never publicly responded to the attacks, but the controversy from the reviews acted in his favor, keeping Whitman in the public eye.

John Swinton (1829–1901) was a Scottish-born journalist who became acquainted with Whitman during the Civil War. During the 1860s, Swinton became the chief editorial writer of the New York Times, and from 1870-1875 he wrote extensively for the New York Tribune. In 1883, he published is own paper John Swinton's Paper, which became one of the most prominent American labor newspapers of the 1880s.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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April 14, 2021 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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