John Greenleaf Whittier AQS with Bonus Theodore Dreiser TLS

Two pieces signed by influential nineteenth- and twentieth-century American writers John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892) and Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945).

The lot is comprised of:

1. An autograph quote signed by Whittier as "John G. Whittier" at Oak Knoll, his cousins' home in Danvers, Massachusetts, on July 3, 1876. On a leaf of laid paper, with light paper folds and mounting traces verso, else near fine. 5" x 8."

The quote is a 4-line stanza from "Evening, St. 12," from Whittier's poem collection "Summer by the Lakeside" (1856-1857).

Whittier has written in full:

"Forever from the Hand that takes
One blessing from us, others fall'
And, soon or late, Our Father makes
This perfect recompense to all

John G. Whittier

Oak Knoll 3rd 7th mo 1876."

Accompanied by purchase information from Steven S. Raab Autographs (Ardmore, Pennsylvania), including a product description and purchase receipt dated November 30, 2000.

John Greenleaf Whittier was a Quaker poet and abolitionist. Over his 50-year-long literary career, he produced many nostalgic sketches of New England, and influenced public opinion through numerous anti-slavery works.

2. Two typed letters, the first signed by Theodore Dreiser as "Theodore Dreiser," and the second signed by his second wife Helen Patges Dreiser (1894-1955), as "Helen Dreiser." The two letters concern charges incurred at the Raphael Pharmacy of Astoria, New York related to the last illness of Dreiser's older sister Mary Frances Dreiser Brennan (1861-1944), who had died a few weeks earlier, on June 2nd.

Dreiser's letter was written in Hollywood, California on June 19, 1944 on a single leaf of pale blue stationery with "Theodore Dreiser" letterhead. With numerous typographical edits and errors. Expected light paper folds and scattered partly erased pencil inscriptions, else near fine. 7.25" x 10.5."

In the letter, the author states in part: "I, personally, am not responsible in any way for any bills contracted by Mrs. Brennan or anyone else in her household…" and then he speculates that the charges are spurious.

Helen Dreiser's letter dated August 22, 1944, also on "Theodore Dreiser" letterhead, paid part of the same or a similar bill. 6.25" x 9.5."

Accompanied by an auction catalog description of the letters, ca. 1975, stating that the letters had been donated by Greenwich Books, Ltd.

Theodore Dreiser, known for his realist literary style, used his personal observations and experience as a journalist to produce such novels as "Sister Carrie" (1900) and "An American Tragedy" (1925). His novels highlighted disturbing undercurrents developing in modern American society, such as greed and amorality.

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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