Description:

Ralph Waldo Emerson
Concord, MA, October 7, 1863
R.W. Emerson Re: Abolitionists & Whitman's Hospital Work! Civil War-Dated ALS - Fantastic!
ALS
A 4pp autograph letter signed by writer Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) as "R. W. Emerson" near the top of the fourth page. October 7, 1863. Concord, Massachusetts. On bifold stationery. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, one affecting Emerson's signature. Scattered ink bleed-through and ink ghost impressions affecting the inner pages. Else very good to near fine. 4.875" x 7.75."

In this fine letter jam-packed with important abolitionist and Civil War content, Emerson refers to two prominent American anti-slavery activists, James Redpath and William Goodell, and also mentions Walt Whitman's fundraising efforts for ill and wounded soldiers. Dr. Le Baron Russell, one of Emerson's dearest friends and a donor to Whitman's fund, is also mentioned. The letter thus has ties to two of Emerson's most deeply held personal beliefs: abolitionism and philanthropy.

Emerson wrote this thank-you letter to James Redpath (1833-1891), in part:

"I have been very slow to thank you for your kind communication with Mr Goodell, + your report of the same. I ought to have guarded you in my conference with you from taking any such trouble for me, + I thought I had dissuaded you from it. I found, in the two tracts to which you called my attention, replies to several of my questions, + some guidance to the Content of the rest.

I am happy to see Dr Russell's excellent reply to your appeal for Mr Whitman. It does honor as well as good to all the parties. Dr Russell justifies the best fame of Massachusetts men. I enclose his letter [no longer included in this lot.] I draw from it new hope for the success of Mr Whitman's charity…"

Emerson's correspondent James Redpath was a Scottish-American journalist and abolitionist nicknamed "John Brown's publicist" because of two sympathetic books authored by him about Brown and the thwarted raid at Harpers Ferry, both published in 1860. Emerson's letter reveals that Redpath had procured some reading material for Emerson, almost certainly anti-slavery in theme, because of a reference to "Mr Goodell." This was William Goodell (1792-1878), the co-founder of the American Anti-Slavery Society, and former editor of the abolitionist newspaper "The Emancipator."

Emerson discusses the wartime efforts of fellow writer "Mr Whitman," referring to Walt Whitman (1819-1892), author of the 1855 poetry collection "Leaves of Grass." Since December 1862, Whitman had served as an unofficial nurse or "soldier's missionary" (his term) in Washington, D.C. army hospitals, comforting recuperating soldiers. Whitman purchased luxuries for the soldiers by using his own meager government salary and selling his literary work. He also actively solicited donations from wealthy Massachusetts activists like Emerson and members of his circle.

Dr. Le Baron Russell (1814-1889), one of Emerson's oldest and closest Boston friends, was one of Whitman's donors. In the letter to Redpath, Emerson refers to "Dr. Russell's excellent reply" to Whitman. Dr. Russell had written Whitman just two weeks earlier, on September 21, 1863, enclosing a check for Whitman's charitable efforts. Dr. Russell's letter is accessible through the Walt Whitman Archive. Dr. Russell earmarked the check "to be used for the benefit of our noble 'boys' in the hospitals, at your discretion." Whitman would write about his Civil War volunteering in "Memoranda During The War" (1875).

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 4.875" x 7.75"
  • Medium: ALS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

September 18, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000