Autograph Letter Signed.
This Pennsylvanian musician about whom little is known became one of the most prolific song writers and music publishers of his day; among the one thousand songs he supposedly composed are many hymns such as "Great Joy!" and the Mormon classic "Our King" as well as numerous school and church choir collections. Item #44910
ALS, 6pp, 8½" X 11", Chicago, IL, 2 February 1920. Addressed to "My dear Miss Dashiell." Good plus. Age toned and lightly soiled, with small edge separations at folds. On "Office of Alfred Beirly Music Co." decorative letterhead, Beirly notes "I would very much like to hear your Robert E Lee oration, feeling sure you will do the note Gen. full justice" -- then proceeds to lecture at length and in detail about Lee's superiority, going so far as to proclaim "Gen. Lee would have been Pres. of the U.S. had he not joined the Confederate Cause." He also praises Jackson to the skies and enumerates his many victories, concluding that Lee wouldn't have gotten far without him. Finally, he lampoons the recently-deceases Theodore Roosevelt (whom he refers to as "Ted" and "Teddy") and his friend, 1920 presidential candidate Leonard Wood. Signed simply "Alfred B." A wonderfully chatty, corny, flirty missive from the never-married Beirly to a female admirer. Very scarce and unusual.
Price: $195.00