Description:

Eugene Field
various, various
Superb Eugene Field Archive With Handwritten Poems, a Draft of an Opera, and Much More
Archive
A fine archive of material by the beloved poet Eugene Field, including desirable autograph poems, fine content letters, and an autograph manuscript for a piece titled "The Buccaneers," all executed in the poet's fine and delicate hand.

The group comprises over 25 holograph items by Fields including ten autograph signed letters, signed bookplates, business cards and more; two signed photographs; one signed engraving, and 25 pieces of collateral material to the lot, including letters signed literary and performance luminaries such as Edward M. Bok, Slason Thompson, Hamlin Garland, Julian Ralph, Francis Wilson, Jessie B. Davis, and others. Also included are several pieces of miscellany such as a one-page story in pencil by a young boy, perhaps Field himself, several unsigned bookplates, photographs of family members, and more. Overall in very good condition. Should be viewed; please see scans for details. View our terms for large lots.

Of particular note is an autograph poem signed titled "To My Mother," dated 1890 and with calligraphic flourishes. It reads, in small part: "…How fair you are, my Mother! / Ah, though ‘tis many a year / Since you were here/ Still do I see your beauteous face / And with the glow / Of your dark eyes cometh a grace…". A second poem to his mother dated London, Sept. 8, 1890, reads, in part: "…How you have loved me, mother / I have not power to tell / That even in the rest Above / It is your will…".

With: a signed poem dated Chicago, Sept. 22, 1894, in part: "…And as the shell upon the mountain height / Sings of the sea / So do I ever – leagues and leagues away…Sing, O my home!...".

Together with autograph draft of a poem titled "Heini's Lyrical Interlude – Nr. 64" (1889) which reads, in part: "…There fell a star from realms above / A glittering, glorious star to see/ Me thought it was the star of love / So sweetly it illuminated me…"

Field also pens a schedule for a Christmas reading, in part: "…Uhland's ‘Three Cavaliers' / The First Christmas Tree / Bethlehem Town / Norse Lullaby…", and more. Signed by him and dated Chicago, April 12, 1893.

Also present is an autograph manuscript for an opera, unsigned, titled "The Buccaneers," one page, 8.5" x 10.25", no place or date. It provides a description of three acts, and bears a signature of Field on a small slip affixed to the top right corner. In part: "…Fernando…Bass. Paquita, his daughter. Soprano. Christopher, the Buccaneer, baritone…Time of Action – three days – 1860. Scenes: 1st and 3d acts, in garden adjoining Fernando's mansion, suburbs of Piura, 2nd act, on board the ship ‘Pardita,' part of Piura…First Act: Fernando…is about to give a moonlight fete in honor of his daughter's brother to Carlos…Carlos having given his heart…to Mercedes who is now married to a Captain…Paquita…in love with a handsome young stranger…Christopher…Christopher manages to get himself and his band introduced at the fete and is in the midst of festivities, the young women are seized and carried aboard the buccaneer's ship…".
Other signed material includes 10 autograph letters signed.

This group also includes evidence of Field's humorous side, with a signed photo measuring 3.75" x 6.25", mounted to another sheet, in which Field pens in a dark head of hair and a beard on his usual bald pate! Another fine signed photo is a cabinet card with backstamp of Elite, San Francisco, boldly inscribed and signed at bottom.

A fine portrait of Field by noted cartoonist Art Young rounds out this excellent collection.

Dubbed the "Poet of Childhood", Eugene Field (1850-1895) was an American writer best known for his popular works of children's poetry. Often humorous and whimsical in nature, some of Field's notable poems include "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" (1889), a lullaby about three children fishing in a boat among the stars, and "The Duel" (ca. 1893), a limerick describing a fight between a dog and cat. In his early career, Field wrote and edited for serval newspapers in the state of Missouri until moving to Chicago in 1883. He would first begin publishing poetry in 1879, quickly gaining popularity for his light-hearted verses. His father, Roswell Martin Field (1807-1869), was also notable for his representation of Dred Scott in the infamous Supreme Court case bearing his name, in which the enslaved Scott sued for the freedom of himself and his family.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 13" x 18"
  • Medium: Archive

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June 26, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
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