Beschreibung:

WHITMAN, Walt. Autograph letter signed ("Walt Whitrman") to an unidentified correspondent ("Dear T D," [Thomas Donaldson?]), 328 Mickle Street, Camden [NJ], "forenoon" [8 April 1886]. 1 page, 4to, in bold black ink on lined paper, neatly inlaid. Fine. WHITMAN PREPARES TO LECTURE ON LINCOLN. Whitman boldly pens a letter regarding a forthcoming lecture engagement: "Yours of yesterday rec'd announcing the 3 o'clock PM arrangement. Opera House, Chestnut [Street, Philadelphia]...for 15th Ist. I will be ready & on hand. When you come over, Sunday or any other day soon, come in the forenoon, or before 3 in afternoon, or in evening early as convenient..." Whitman refers here to his 15 April speech at the Opera House on "The Death of Abraham Lincoln." This was one of Whitman's most popular lecture subjects, first delivered at New York's Madison Square Garden on 14 April 1879 (the 22nd anniversary of Lincoln's assassination). Whitman's autograph notes for the lecture were part of the Frances H. Jones Collection (sale, Christie's, 9 December 1994, lot 110, $32,000). Mentioned in Correspondence, ed. Miller v IV 23 (no.1387). Provenance: Christies New York (sale, 8 December 1989, lot 315).