1859 WILLIAM ROSS WALLACE SIGNED 1859 LITERARY LETTER TO POET FITZ-GREENE HALLECK—REQUESTING “MARCO BOZZARIS”
WALLACE, WILLIAM ROSS (1819–1881). American poet, lawyer, and literary associate of Edgar Allan Poe; author of the famous line, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” Autograph endorsement signed “Wm Ross Wallace,” written on the reverse of an autograph letter from W. C. Ferris to celebrated American poet Fitz-Greene Halleck. New York, March 7, 1859. One leaf, written on both sides and mounted to an older backing sheet.
A pleasing association between two prominent figures in 19th-century American poetry.
The original correspondent, signing himself “W. C. Ferris,” writes to Fitz-Greene Halleck:
“I am pretty sure that if you were aware of my great admiration for your poetry, you would grant my request; which is, that you make a copy of your ‘Marco Bozzaris’ (or another piece if you prefer) on a letter sheet—writing on one side only; folded with your autograph, and mail it in the enclosed envelope to…”
“Marco Bozzaris,” inspired by the Greek struggle for independence, was Halleck’s most famous serious poem and became a standard recitation piece for generations of American schoolchildren.
On the reverse, William Ross Wallace personally endorses his friend’s request:
“Dear Sir,
My friend, like myself, is an ardent admirer of your poetry. I beg you to grant his request.
Yours truly,
Wm Ross Wallace.”
Wallace was a Kentucky-born poet and lawyer who settled in New York and became part of the city’s active literary community. He was personally acquainted with Edgar Allan Poe, who favorably discussed Wallace’s poetry and mentioned him in surviving correspondence. Wallace published in Harper’s Magazine, Harper’s Weekly, Godey’s Lady’s Book, and the New York Ledger. His best-known poem, first published in 1865, supplied the enduring phrase “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.”
Fitz-Greene Halleck was one of America’s leading early literary celebrities and a central member of the Knickerbocker group of New York writers. Halleck’s poems, particularly “Marco Bozzaris,” enjoyed enormous popularity during the 19th century.
Although Halleck is the recipient and did not sign this surviving letter, Wallace’s handwritten endorsement creates an attractive literary association: one recognized American poet personally appealing to another on behalf of an admirer seeking a manuscript copy of his most celebrated poem.
Condition: Original mailing folds; light toning and scattered spotting; ink somewhat pale but legible. Small marginal tears and minor corner wear. The original sheet is mounted to a larger backing sheet, with later pencil annotations and inventory numbers. Wallace’s concluding signature is large, complete, and readily legible.
WALLACE, WILLIAM ROSS (1819–1881). American poet, lawyer, and literary associate of Edgar Allan Poe; author of the famous line, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” Autograph endorsement signed “Wm Ross Wallace,” written on the reverse of an autograph letter from W. C. Ferris to celebrated American poet Fitz-Greene Halleck. New York, March 7, 1859. One leaf, written on both sides and mounted to an older backing sheet.
A pleasing association between two prominent figures in 19th-century American poetry.
The original correspondent, signing himself “W. C. Ferris,” writes to Fitz-Greene Halleck:
“I am pretty sure that if you were aware of my great admiration for your poetry, you would grant my request; which is, that you make a copy of your ‘Marco Bozzaris’ (or another piece if you prefer) on a letter sheet—writing on one side only; folded with your autograph, and mail it in the enclosed envelope to…”
“Marco Bozzaris,” inspired by the Greek struggle for independence, was Halleck’s most famous serious poem and became a standard recitation piece for generations of American schoolchildren.
On the reverse, William Ross Wallace personally endorses his friend’s request:
“Dear Sir,
My friend, like myself, is an ardent admirer of your poetry. I beg you to grant his request.
Yours truly,
Wm Ross Wallace.”
Wallace was a Kentucky-born poet and lawyer who settled in New York and became part of the city’s active literary community. He was personally acquainted with Edgar Allan Poe, who favorably discussed Wallace’s poetry and mentioned him in surviving correspondence. Wallace published in Harper’s Magazine, Harper’s Weekly, Godey’s Lady’s Book, and the New York Ledger. His best-known poem, first published in 1865, supplied the enduring phrase “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.”
Fitz-Greene Halleck was one of America’s leading early literary celebrities and a central member of the Knickerbocker group of New York writers. Halleck’s poems, particularly “Marco Bozzaris,” enjoyed enormous popularity during the 19th century.
Although Halleck is the recipient and did not sign this surviving letter, Wallace’s handwritten endorsement creates an attractive literary association: one recognized American poet personally appealing to another on behalf of an admirer seeking a manuscript copy of his most celebrated poem.
Condition: Original mailing folds; light toning and scattered spotting; ink somewhat pale but legible. Small marginal tears and minor corner wear. The original sheet is mounted to a larger backing sheet, with later pencil annotations and inventory numbers. Wallace’s concluding signature is large, complete, and readily legible.
