Typed Letter Signed.
This editor and writer edited the hugely popular "Collier's Weekly" (1903-12) and "Harper's Weekly" (1913-16) and became so highly regarded he was named U.S. minister to Denmark in 1919; his books include biographies of American statesman such as George Washington, Daniel Webster and Abraham Lincoln. Item #16250
TLS, 1p, 5½" X 8½", New York, NY, 1912 April 18. Addressed to George Ade (1866-1944), American humorist and playwright. Near fine. "Are you going to the conventions at Chicago and Baltimore?" writes Hapgood on "Collier's" letterhead, referring to the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. "If so, what would you think of Collier's as a medium for your impressions? I am sure McCutcheon, or anyone else you might prefer, would be glad to work with you. If you will consider this idea at all I should like to know also how much you would charge. I expect to be at both conventions myself and should much enjoy seeing you." The letter is docketed by Ade himself: at the upper left, in his large distinctive hand, he pencils a huge "A / ans" to note he had replied. (Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist John T. McCutcheon was a Purdue University classmate of Ade's and a lifelong pal, as well as illustrator of Ade's "Chicago Record" daily feature "Stories of the Streets and of the Town" in the 1890s.) Hapgood's solicitation paid off, for while Ade apparently did not attend the convention at his then-hometown of Chicago, he did attend the Baltimore convention and in the 13 July 1912 issue of "Collier's" his article "The Baltimore Affair from Three Angles" appeared (see Dorothy Ritter Russo's "A Bibliography of George Ade," page 232). An interesting piece.
Price: $95.00