FAMOUS AMERICAN POETS AUTOGRAPHS SIGNED LETTERS AND POEMS (x9) by Eastman, Max; Whittier, John, Sandburg, Carl; Van Doren, Mark; Moore, Marianne - c1946

c1946. Group of autographs, hand-copied poems, and autographed letters from famous American poets. This lot includes the following:

Carl Sandburg (1878-1967) American poet, biographer, and Pulitzer-prize winner. Two autographs on index cards in black ink (dated August 1946). Very Good condition.

Mark van Doren (1894-1972) American poet/writer. Hand-copied excerpt from "Our Lady Peace" (written by Van Doren in 1943). One-page autographed in black ink (dated 3/7/1946):

She was the very ridges that we must scale,

Securing the rough top. And how she smiled

Was how our strength would issue. Not to fail

Was having her, gigantic, undefiled,


For homely goddess, big as the world that burned,

Grandmother and taskmistress, frild and town.

We let the stranger go; but when we turned

Our lady lived, fierce in each other's frown.


Archibald MacLeish (1892-1982) American poet and writer; First Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs. One-page typed memo on "Assistant Secretary of State" letterhead. Signed in black ink and dated 7/24/1945. Letter thanks Stephen for his correspondence: "Your letter is far too kind, but at least it merits more than the autograph of, Yours Very Sincerely..."

Marianne Moore (1887-1972) American modernist poet. In response to Stephen's letter Marianne hand-writes: "Dear Stephen, Since handwriting is a kind of portrait it is reasonable we should take an interest in it but I do not quite approve of 'autograph collecting.' Give some thought to this: Quite aghast from theory, I send you my good wishes." One-page note autographed in black ink (dated 2/15/1946).

Max Eastman (1883-1969) American writer on literature, philosophy and society, a poet and a prominent political activist. In response to Stephen's letter Eastman typed out "Coming To Port":

OUR motion on the soft still misty river

Is like rest; and like the hours of doom

That rise and follow one another ever,

Ghosts of sleeping battle-cruisers loom

And languish quickly in the liquid gloom.


From watching them your eyes in tears are gleaming,

And your heart is still; and like a sound

In silence is your stillness in the streaming

Of light-whispered laughter all around,

Where happy passengers are homeward bound.


Their sunny journey is in safety ending,

But for you no journey has an end.

The tears that to your eyes their light are lending

Shine in softness to no waiting friend;

Beyond the search of any eye they tend.


There is no nest for the unresting fever

Of your passion, yearning, hungry-veined;

There is no rest nor blessedness forever

That can clasp you, quivering and pained,

Whose eyes burn ever to the Unattained.


Like time, and like the river's fateful flowing,

Flowing though the ship has come to rest,

Your love is passing through the mist and going,

Going infinitely from your breast,

Surpassing time on its immortal quest.


The ship draws softly to the place of waiting,

All flush forward with a joyful aim,

And while their hands with happy hands are mating,

Lips are laughing out a happy name--

You pause, and pass among them like a flame.


Typed letter is two pages in length, signed in black ink, post-marked from Cuba, and dated 3/14/1946. Very Good condition with light+ age toning.


John G. Whittier (1807-1892) American poet. Autograph in pen inscribed: "I am very truly Thy Friend" and dated 1876. Paper note laid on paper with age toning and light wrinkling
Annie Fields (1834-1915) American writer, poet, and philanthropist. One-page autographed letter signed in black ink. Writing is difficult to transcribe but signature confirmed to be Annie Adams Fields (writing from her home at 148 Charles Street). Condition is Very Good with light age toning.
Louis Untermeyer (1885-1977) American poet. Two autographs on index cards in black ink; envelope postmarked 8/9/1945.
Jean Starr Untermeyer (1886-1970) American poet. One-page typed memo signed on personal letterhead. In response to Stephen's letter: "Thank you for your letter of February 4th, which has remained unanswered so long because I have been ill. The necessity to conserve my strength is a prime reason why I have to refuse to copy out poems on request, although I am happy when I know that they are enjoyed. Best luck to your studies and to you." signed in black ink and dated 3/5/1946. Condition is Very Good with light age toning.
Provenance: Second Story Books is delighted to present this original, hand-signed item from the Stephen May Autograph Collection. As a youth in the 1940's, Stephen May (193. 1366325. Special Collections.