Search Results: Autographs from Lux Libri

1932 TLS / Charles Hanson Towne. Typed letter signed by the noted author, editor, and literary celebrity. A brief letter of thanks, addressed to Garth Cates of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. One page on the stationery of the New York American, where Towne was a columnist. 8.5 x 11 inches. Good condition with folds, some foxing and stains, tear to the upper left corner. Affixed to an old, gray scrapbook page. Will ship unfolded, as shown. Towne (1877-1949) was born in Kentucky but came to be known as the quintessential New Yorker in the early decades of the 20th century. He was a prolific author of poetry, novels, plays, essays, memoirs, etc. He edited several important magazines, including Smart Set, McClure's, and Harper's Bazaar. Later in life, he taught at Columbia and influenced a new generation of writers, including J.D. Salinger.

Book page signed by the American journalist and author who crusaded against Nazis and Fascists but was blacklisted during the McCarthy era as a former member of the Communist Party. Page was removed from Kahn's book The Plot Against the Peace: A Warning to the Nation! (Co-authored with Michael Sayers, NY: Dial Press, 1945.) Also included is the title page from the book, which warned of covert German plans to subvert the peace after World War II. Signed as "Albert" and inscribed to James Rosenberg (1874-1970), prominent American lawyer, artist, humanitarian and philanthropist. Inscription reads: "To James Rosenberg, a staunch friend, a splendid anti-fascist, with warmest regards - Albert / May 1945."

Autograph letter signed by Alfred Ainger (1837-1904), English cleric, literary biographer, and critic. Letter is dated Good Friday Evening and addressed to "My dear Gerty" [his old friend Gertrude King.] Ainger inquires whether "Kenny" is home for Easter and might come for dinner. "I am quite alone," he writes. Signed as "A. Ainger." One sheet, folded in half to 4.5 x 7 inches. VG. Ainger wrote memoirs of Thomas Hood and George Crabbe but is best known for his Charles Lamb biography and his 6-volume edition of Lamb's works. Late in life, Ainger was chaplain to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII.

Autograph quote signed by the British novelist, author of The Prisoner of Zenda (1894) and creator of the Ruritanian romance genre. In black ink on a stiff vellum sheet that measures about 6 x 10 inches. Probably written for his government propaganda efforts during the First World War, for which he was knighted in 1918. The quote reads: "Homage to our French allies – bold in / thought / daring in action, loyal in friendship, / and generous in appreciation – / Anthony Hope Hopkins." Near Fine with some wrinkling to the vellum, not affecting the text. Blank verso, apart from brief pencil notations. An uncommon item from Sir Anthony Hope Hopkins, better known simply as Anthony Hope (1863-1933.)

Autograph of Ian MacLaren, (1850-1907), the literary pseudonym of John Watson, English-born Scottish author and cleric. Signed on a small card, approx. 1.75 x 3.25 inches. Near Fine with light adhesive marks on the verso from prior mounting. MacLaren (aka Maclaren) wrote stories of rural Scottish life, including the hugely popular Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush (1894.)

Signed on a slip of paper, "Yours Sincerely / Coningsby Dawson." 3 x 5¼ inches. VG with one horizontal fold line. Dawson (1883-1959) was an Anglo-American novelist and poet who served at the front with the Canadian Field Artillery during World War II. His work included The Glory of the Trenches, a 1918 memoir of his wartime experiences.

Autograph of the prolific author best known for novels set in her native California. Signed in 1910 in blue ink on a slip of bank note bond paper. Approx. 3.25 x 5.25 inches. VG with light creasing. Atherton's varied work also included short stories, essays, journalism, and supernatural horror. Her bestselling 1923 fantasy Black Oxen was made into a silent film. She was a suffragist and early feminist and published a 1932 autobiography, Adventures of a Novelist.

1902 Autograph of the civil rights activist and president of the NAACP. Signed "A.B. Spingarn" in pencil in 1902 on a page removed from an unknown book. Spingarn was an avid collector of books and other material by African Americans, and he has also written [Limited edition] below his signature. Spingarn and his brother, Joel, were Jewish Americans who became interested in the civil rights movement through the work of W.E.B. Dubois. They were active in the NAACP from its outset in the early 1900s. A.B. [Arthur Barnette] Spingarn was chairman of its legal committee, vice president from 1911-1940, and president from 1940-1946. His important "Spingarn Collection" was donated to Howard University and helped form the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. Joel Spingarn was a founding member of the NAACP in 1909, and president from 1930-1939. The prestigious Spingarn Medal is awarded annually to honor African American achievement. An early example of A.B. Spingarn's signature. Uncommon outside of institutional… Read More

Cut signature of the American author and poet. Evidently clipped from a letter and signed with a brief sentiment: “I shall be greatly indebted / to you, as always.” Approx. 2 x 5 inches. Near Fine with minor corner creases. Celia Thaxter was one of the most popular New England poets of the 19th century. She spent much of her life on the isolated Isles of Shoals, where her father operated a resort hotel on Appledore Island. Along with her poetry, she is best remembered for her autobiographical works Among the Isles of Shoals (1878) and My Island Garden (1894.)

Signed card by the US Naval officer and member of the ill-fated Jeannette expedition to the North Pole. Signed as "Jno. W. Danenhower / Lieut. U.S.N." 1¼ x 3¾ inches with gilded and scalloped edges. VG with typical signs of age, paper remnants on the rear from prior mounting. On the 1879-1881 expedition, the Jeannette became trapped in ice and ultimately sank while attempting to reach the pole via the Bering Strait and the (non-existent) Open Polar Sea. More than half of the 33-member crew perished, including the captain. Danenhower (1849-1887) survived but was rendered nearly blind and lived his remaining years in ill health. While assigned to the US Naval Academy, he committed suicide in 1887 after the USS Constellation ran aground under his command.

Cut signature of the popular novelist, short story writer, and poet. Signed "Sincerely, Margaret Deland." 1¼ x 4 inches. Deland was part of the literary realism movement, and her work often reflected the changing social, religious, and cultural climate of her times. She is best remembered for her bestselling (and controversial) novel, John Ward, Preacher (1888.)

Autograph letter signed by American author and poet Celia Thaxter (1835-1894.) Sent from [Isles of] Shoals in May 1892 with interesting literary content. Addressed to "Dear friend" [likely Richard Watson Gilder, editor of The Century magazine.] Thaxter writes that she expected "Mr. Winch's Sonnet" to be in the May number of The Century and, as it didn't appear, asked for it back for further revision: "It has only one good line in it + that's the last, + I want to have it if I can." The finished poem appeared in the July 1892 issue (p. 535.) It was written in appreciation of [William] J. Winch, a tenor who was part of a musical performing family from Boston. 1 page on thin, translucent paper with a thicker cream border. Approx. 7 x 8.25 inches. Reproduction photo of Thaxter with facsimile signature is neatly affixed to the verso with small pencil notations by a collector. Fine with one light crease, mailing folds. Celia Thaxter was one of the most popular New England poets of the latter 19th century.… Read More

Autograph of American author and poet Celia Thaxter (1835-1894.) In black ink on a card with rounded corners. Approx. 3 x 5.5. inches. VG with a couple of small spots. Thaxter was one of the most popular New England poets of the latter 19th century. She spent much of her life on the isolated Isles of Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire. Her father operated a resort hotel on Appledore Island, where she cultivated her celebrated garden and established a summer salon of fellow artists and authors. Her literary circle included Hawthorne, Emerson, Longfellow, and Holmes, and among her close friends were Sarah Orne Jewett, Annie Fields, and the artists Childe Hassam and William Morris Hunt. Along with her poetry, Thaxter is best remembered for her autobiographical works Among the Isles of Shoals (1878) and My Island Garden (1894.)

(Music Autographs) Connecticut Piano Dealers Association program from its 1910 annual meeting at the Algonquin Club of Bridgeport, CT. Printed in Bridgeport by the Joyce Press. Program is filled with nearly 50 signatures of attendees, including the four musicians who played at the event. Names not researched, although we did note the signature of the mayor of Bridgeport, Edward T. Buckingham. 8 pp. Oblong format in paper wraps. 5.75 by 8.5 inches. Bound at the spine with a ribbon through twin hole punches. Good with moderate signs of age. Ink signature on the front cover, some stains and marks. Sound overall with many legible signatures. A rare program from an era when the piano was at the height of its popularity in America. No other surviving examples located.

Autograph of Diana Gabaldon, American author of the Outlander series. Hand signed in black ink on a 3x5" index card. Fine condition. Clean and unmarked. A nice autograph to go with your favorite Outlander book.

Typed letter signed by the former British jockey and crime writer (1920-2010.) Dated 14th Nov. '84. Francis replies to Miss Thorn, a reader critical of his work: "I am sorry you found points in my recent books that have called for criticism … In fact I hope that when you read more of my books you will feel unjustified in mentioning anything derogatory." On personal stationery. 8.5 x 11.75 inches. VG with mailing folds, a few nicks, two small holes from a removed staple. Nicely signed by Francis in blue ink. The recipient also added a dated notation.

1994 Promotional card signed by Doris Grumbach (1918-2022.) The photographic card reproduces the cover of her 1994 memoir, Fifty Days of Solitude. Printed on Kodak paper. 5 by 7 inches. Signed by Grumbach in black ink with her initials. Fine. Grumbach had a long and varied career as an editor, educator, novelist, memoirist, biographer, critic, essayist, and bookseller. She and her late partner, Sybil Pike, operated Wayward Books in Washington, DC, and later Sargentville, Maine. (Fifty Days of Solitude chronicled Grumbach's time alone during a Maine winter while Pike was on a book-buying trip.)

Original autograph & portrait of Elbert Hubbard, writer, publisher, and philosopher who founded the Roycroft artisan community. Hubbard was a leading exponent of the American Arts and Crafts movement from the late 19th century to his death aboard the Lusitania in 1915. Signature and portrait appear to have been removed from a book. Portrait is mounted on a larger page of heavy paper stock. The autograph is on the same paper. Portrait size with borders is 7.75 x 10.25 inches. Signature is bold and clear and measures 4.25 inches across. Foxing to the blank areas of the portrait mount. Image itself is clean and unmarked, as is the signature.

San Francisco: Sore Dove Press, 2009. Printed in an edition of 50 copies. This is one of just 5 that were signed, per the publisher. Large postcard format. Approx. 5 x 8.5 inches. Fine. Signed in marker on the verso by Ferlinghetti, influential poet, publisher, social activist, and elder statesman of the Beat Generation until his death in 2021 at age 101.

Autograph quote signed by the English poet. No date. Tupper responds to an autograph request with a quote in praise of America: "Giant aggregate of nations, / Glorious whole of glorious Parts, / Unto endless generations / Stand United, hands + hearts." Tupper was a leading poet of the Victorian age. His 1838 book, Proverbial Philosophy, sold 1.5 million copies and had wide influence on other writers, including American poet Walt Whitman. The quote is from a poem in his American Ballads series, written from his home in Albury, England, and published prior to his American tour in 1851. VG, as shown, with mailing folds but no flaws. One sheet of stationery from London, folded to 4.5 x 7 inches.