The Walt Whitman Archive
Life & Letters
Correspondence
About this Item
Title: Marion Harry Spielmann to Walt Whitman, 16 March 1891
Date: March 16, 1891
Whitman Archive ID: loc.03944
Source: The Charles E. Feinberg Collection of the Papers of Walt Whitman, 1839–1919, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Transcribed from digital images or a microfilm reproduction of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
Editorial note: The annotation, "see | notes | Aug 14 | 1891," is in the hand of Horace Traubel.
Contributors to digital file: Blake Bronson-Bartlett, Ian Faith, Alex Ashland, and Stephanie Blalock
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"Black & White"
33, Bouverie Street,
London, E.C.1
16th March 1891.
Sir/.
Allow me to thank you for the "Conservator"2 and the photograph you have been good enough to send us for a reproduction of your portrait in the paper for the pleasure of our English readers.
Hoping that you are enjoying fair health.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Faithfully yours
M.H. Spielmann
Art Editor
Walt Whitman Esq.
Poet
Boston
U.S.A.
Correspondent:
Marion Harry Alexander Spielmann
(1858–1948) was an English editor, art critic, and scholar who edited both
The Conoisseur and Magazine of
Art (1887–1904). He was a major figure in British debates about
developments in modern art. He also founded the weekly periodical Black and White in 1891. Black and
White: A Weekly Illustrated Record and Review was a British weekly that
published many well-known writers.
Notes:
1. Because the letter was incorrectly addressed, the envelope has been stamped "Forwarded," the city "Boston" has been crossed out in pencil, and "Camden, N.J." has been written in pencil. This letter is addressed: Walt Whitman Esq. | Poet | Boston | U.S.A. It is postmarked: London | MR.17.91 | E; Boston | Mar 28 91 | 2PM | D; Boston | Mass | Apr 11 91 | 2 45 PM; Camden, N.J. | Apr | 13 | 6 AM | 1891 | Rec'd. [back]
2. Horace Traubel founded The Conservator in March 1890, and he remained its editor and publisher until his death in 1919. Traubel conceived of The Conservator as a liberal periodical influenced by Whitman's poetic and political ethos. A fair portion of its contents were devoted to Whitman appreciation and the conservation of the poet's literary and personal reputation. [back]