Beschreibung:

AMERICAN AUTHORS]. FIELD, EUGENE. Autograph manuscript signed of his poem on the love of books and reading, "De Amicitus," n.p. [undoubtedly Chicago], dated "Feb. 14, 1889" at end, 4 1/2 pages, 4to, about 79 lines, in ink with several revisions, written on the rectos only, the leaves removed from a notebook or album, some pin holes, signed by Field at end, the verso of last leaf bearing his pencilled inscription: "Eugene Field Daily News office." The poem begins: "Tho' care and strife Elsewhere be rife, Upon my word, I do not heed 'em; In bed I lie With books hard by And with increasing zest I read 'em. / They give me joy Without alloy, And isn't that what books are made for? And yet -- and yet -- Ah, vain regret - I would to God they all were paid for!..." --IRVING, WASHINGTON. Autograph letter signed (in full) to the historian and diplomat George Bancroft, Sunnyside, 12 December 1854, 1 page, 8vo : "The journal to which you allude, was left by me a considerable time since with Mr. Cogswell at the Astor Library. I though I had apprised...Brevoort of the circumstance."--LOSSING, BENSON J. Nine autograph letters signed (in full) to T.H. Morrell (1) and to E.H. Goss (8), New York City and Dover Plains, NY, 17 November 1856 and 6 June 1881-27 September 1887, together 24 1/2 pages, 8vo , with an engraved portrait and two clippings: primarily on his books and literary projects and on historical and antiquarian matters, but also discussing Founders Day at Vassar, his collection of autographs, having his photograph taken, George Washington manuscripts at Arlington House; mentioning Edward Everett Hale, and telling an anecdote about Rembrandt Peale -- And autograph items of George Bancroft (autograph quotation signed enclosing the above Washington Irving letter), the actor Edwin Forrest (autograph note signed), and Edwin Markham (autograph quotation signed), each 1 page, 8vo. (17)