Lot 244
Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Sr. Holmes was by this time one of the elders of American letters. A wonderful literary letter with excellent content. American poet, physician and educator.
Autograph Letter Signed. Four pages, small octavo, Boston, April 9, 1878, to the popular poet, playwright and novelist Edgar Fawcett (1847-1904). A lengthy and detailed literary letter in which Holmes writes to thank Fawcett for a copy of his collection of verse titled Fantasy and Passion, and offers some masterful criticism. The letter reads in part:
"I remember reading the poem called 'Tomorrow' without knowing who was its author and being much struck by it, as I should have been by several, perhaps many of the others, if I had come across them unexpectedly, wondering who it might be that painted with such colors--Innumerable of stains and splendid dyes/as are the tiger-moth's deep-damasked wings… I must record my protest against what I consider the abuse of the extra syllable for which you have a singular fondess. I know that (Miller?) once in a great while used it. I know that Keats empoyed it now and then. But in the hands of Wilis it began to become alarming--'The spring is here--the delicate-footed May' might do for once, but after a few repetitions it becomes positively distressing and I used to look forward to it with dread when one of his blank-verse poems came out. A hunch-back now and then is picturesque enough, but a procession of hunchbacks is not so pleasant. I do not believe there is a Brillat-Savarin in the cuisine of poetical phraseology that will not agree with me. I know you are a great epicure in words, but in this matter I think your critics will agree that your taste is in fault. Excuse me for mentioning what will probably be dinned into you ears by a hundred acid commentators who are offended by one fault among many beauties. This particular fault (if it is one) gives the impression of being a studied one, and therefore seems quite artificial, to say the least, if not affected. But the poems have too many striking beauties to be spoiled by any blemish, and show a gift worthy of something better than mere praise--of wholesome criticism."
Fine.
Estimated Value $700 - 900.
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| Realized $518 |
