Beard Daniel

Daniel C. Beard, Founder of Sons of Daniel Boone, Poem about Nature and Man

1p autograph manuscript inscribed overall by Daniel Carter Beard (1850-1941), and signed by him as "Dan Beard" at lower right. Dated January 30, 1896 in another hand at top. On watermarked cream bifold stationery paper with "The Autograph Collection of / Howes Norris, Jr." letterhead. Black interior pages. With moderate evidence of former mounting verso, and a few isolated traces recto. Overall light toning, else very good to near fine. 4.375" x 6.875". Ex Ray V. Denslow (see bio below).

Beard inscribed this five-stanza free verse poem in 1896, the same year that he published The Outdoor Handy Book. Many of the sentiments expressed therein about the generosity of nature and the goodness of humanity prefigure the core tenets of the Sons of Daniel Boone, formed by Beard some ten years later. The rather scathing last stanza may be satirical.

In full:

"'I am the gift of God to man

and am at his service'

said the Earth

'I shine for man and render

the Earth habitable'

said the Sun

'I supply man with water

and render the Earth fertile'

said the Cloud

'With a grateful heart for / so many kind friends I will / work to support my family / in comfort'

said the Man

With thanks to none I / shall appropriate the / proceeds of all /

said the Landlord

Dan Beard".

Daniel C. Beard was an established illustrator and author when he established a youth organization called the Sons of Daniel Boone, or Boy Pioneers of America, in 1905. The club, which emphasized environmentalism, outdoor survival skills, American cultural traditions, and male bonding, merged with Robert Baden-Powell's Boy Scouts of America in 1910.

Howes Norris, Jr. (1867-1938) was an autograph collector from Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts. His collection was far-reaching, and contained correspondence with leading artists William Powell Frith, Alfred East, and John Linnell.

Provenance

Ray V. Denslow (1885-1960), a fourth generation Freemason, and internationally renowned Masonic historian, having written over 20 full volumes and 62 booklets on Masonic subjects. He held extensive positions as a Freemason over his lifetime including Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Missouri and as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Missouri. Perhaps his greatest national honor was that of serving as General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, from 1942-46. He was Grand Master of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor in 1949; Grand Sovereign of the Red Cross of Constantine in 1943; Grand Chancellor of the Grand College of Rites; Great Prior of the Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte, U.S.A. in 1952; and Grand Abbot of the Society of Blue Friars at the time of his death. He held almost 100 honorary memberships in Masonic groups stretching from France to the Philippines.

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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