HOLMES (Oliver Wendell, 1809-1894, American Writer)

Fine collection of six Autograph Letters Signed to James McCARROLL (1814-1892, Canadian Journalist, Poet, Musician and Inventor, in particular popular for his poems and comic letters in the Irish brogue) and one printed letter from Dr. Holmes in the third person with autograph additions, Holmes commends his verses and McCarroll's last book of poems 'Madeline', 1889, with a copy of 'Madeline' inscribed by McCarrollto his stepson Henry W. Dolmage, four letters have autograph envelopes to addresses in Canada, New York or Chicago, with two separate autograph envelopes, and a checklist, together 16 sides 8vo., 6 envelopes and McCarroll's 'Madeline', Boston or Beverly Farms (on Massachusetts' North Shore), neatly mounted together in a small volume, then encased with the book in a red cloth box and slipcase

CHECKLIST

1. 29th November 1863, Boston. Responding to a letter and poem Holmes had been sent which he has read "with care and interest ...", he explains that there is a misunderstanding that he is "connected with the editorial department of the 'Atlantic'. This is an error, I am not and never have been. It is my rule in these cases to send the articles to the Publishers, recommending them whenever they deserve it to his attention, but not pressing if for acceptance ... I find this poem of yours delicate, melodious, graceful, well-wrought - perhaps a little over fanciful ...", he promises to send it on "to Mr James T. Fields, of the firm of Ticknor & Fields", but says that "It is only fair to say that the pressure of poetry for admission to the pages of the Atlantic is very great, so that much which is deserving is declined for want of a special adaptation and much which is adapted is declined for want of room ...", 3 sides 8vo., torn at folds.
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2. 2nd December no year, perhaps about 1864, Boston.
Autograph Envelope addressed to McCarroll at 54 Bay Street, Toronto, bearing in McCarroll's hand in pencil 'Longfellow to Miss Gould', Hannah Flagg Gould (1788-1865, poetess, of Newburyport, Massachusetts), who for half a century entertained distinguished authors that sought her acquaintance.
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3. 24th May 1866, Boston.
Holmes finds McCarroll's verses "fluent, graceful, fanciful, shewing as I should think, a good deal of practice too, as a practical artist", he will hand them "to Mr James T. Fields ... as the Editor of the Atlantic with whom I am only concerned as a contributor ... As Mr Fields is the leading publisher, proprietor and chief editor, I do not feel any right to meddle with his affairs or to try to influence his judgment, knowing that he understands what he wants for the Magazine a great deal better than I can teach him. The most I can probably do is to give a kindly introduction ... and this I shall do for you with great pleasure", which is "the only position I can take with any comfort to myself or any justice to him. I cannot ... stand between him and his correspondents, many of whom, of course, are over sanguine in their expectations and whom it is not my business to disenchant of their illusions", Mr. Fields' answer "will be addressed directly to you. If it leads to any further arrangement or correspondence I shall consider that you are in established communication with each other ... Pray excuse my precise way of doing business. But for this I should have the cares and responsibilities of an Editor without any of his compensation". 4 sides 8vo.

4. 18th August no year, circa 1870, Boston. Autograph Envelope to McCarroll, at the Office of Watson's Art Journal [so titled from 1867], 746 Broadway, New York, bearing in pencil 'Holmes' in McCarroll's hand.
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5. 30th December 1870, Boston. Thanking McCarroll for "your pleasant remembrance of me in the Art Journal ..." and for "your spiritual lines recalling the old Christmas. As I look out from my new house on the wintry landscape, the picture of the old hall and the yule log and the wassail bowl ... brings back all my romantic associations with the old festival which again give way to the better realities of
"The land of the river, the cedar, and pine"
and call up visions of happy faces and cheerful homes throughout all its length and breadth" he hopes "there is hardly any part of it where the Christian Anniversary did not find something of comfort and enjoyment ...", 2 sides 8vo. and autograph envelope to 'J.M. Carroll', at the Office of Watson's Art Journal, 746 Broadway, New York, bearing in pencil 'Holmes' in McCarroll's hand.
36145-13,14,15.

6. 2nd September 1885, Beverly Farms, Mass.
"Many thanks, my dear sir, for your kind remembrance and especially for your very pleasing Sonnet ...". 1 side 8vo. and autograph envelope to McCarroll at 117 East 15th Street, New York.
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7. 1st November 1887, Boston.
Printed letter in the third person, saying that from "impaired eyesight and the large demands made ... by distant and unknown friends" he is obliged "to contract his correspondence, and to avail himself ... of an assistant in writing", with in Holmes' hand 'Please turn over', 1 side 8vo.
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8. 23rd April 1888, Boston. Written on the verso of the printed letter.
Autograph Letter Signed with his full name, thankful that he has "sight and strength of wrist to write with my own hand", and thanking McCarroll for his "lively, graceful and inspiring verses" and "such a pleasant compliment". 1 side 8vo. and autograph envelope to McCarroll at 233 West 13th St, New York.
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9. 'Madeline and Other Poems', by James McCarroll. Belford, Clarke & Co., Chicago, New York, & San Francisco, 1889.
Paper covers, the front showing a young child perched on a spray of campanula, striking one of the 'bells' with a small hammer. pp. xi, 325. 8vo.
Inscribed on the title 'To my dear Step-son Henry W. Dolmage, with the affection and love of the Author', opposite McCarroll's engraved portrait with facsimile signature. McCarroll met his wife Ann (d. 1867) about 1843 in Peterborough, in the backwoods of Upper Canada.
McCarroll's last book, bringing together many of his poems over a long literary life, with an interesting Introduction by his colleague on Belford's Magazine, Charles Lotin Hildreth. For a good summary of McCarroll's life, including his 'Fenian period', see Michael Peterman, 'The Irish Odyssey of James McCarroll', Bridgewater Review, Vol. 30, No. 1, Article 9, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts, June 2011.
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10. 3rd August 1889, Beverly Farms, Mass.
Thanking McCarroll "for the handsome volume in which you have collected your poems ... and the pleasant words you have bestowed on me – I wish I were worthy of your praise", and hoping McCarroll "will find an appreciative audience to listen to your songs". 1 side 8vo. and autograph envelope (date stamped 5th August) to McCarroll c/o Mess. Belford, Clark & Co, Publishers, Chicago.
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Item Date:  0

Stock No:  36145      £2250

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