Modernity.
Chicago: Fred Benjamin Millett, 1931. Paperback. 16mo. Stiff blue wrappers. (26pp). Fine. Item #49447
Published in December '31 and thus possibly as a Christmas keepsake, this pristine self-published pamphlet is the first separate printing of an essay originally published in "The University of Chicago Magazine." Waxing poetic on the occasion of a new decade, Millett discusses "modernism" largely from the literary point of view. He boldly inscribes and signs the inside front wrapper in dark blue ink "To / Mrs. Gilman / with best wishes / for Christmas / & the New Year, / F.B. Millett." Millett (1890-1976) was a Chicagoan and distinguished professor of English at Wesleyan University (1937-58) who taught broadly (including University of Chicago) prior to Wesleyan and was always a fierce educational reformer and liberal humanities advocate. "Mrs. Gilman" was Regina Rayman Gilman, wife of Chicago chemistry professor Albert F. Gilman (1900-?). With original mailing envelope, addressed by Millett. An odd, intriguing item.
Price: $45.00