The Walt Whitman Archive
Life & Letters
Correspondence
About this Item
Title: Ingersoll Lockwood to Walt Whitman, May [1888]
Date: May [1888]
Whitman Archive ID: loc.05798
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.
Related item: Ingersoll's letter is written on a single sheet of paper that he has folded to create additional writing surfaces. On the back of the page, Ingersoll concluded his letter, and Whitman wrote some notes concerning the "Creative Power" of literature.
Contributors to digital file: Stephanie Blalock, Marie Ernster, Erel Michaelis, and Amanda J. Axley
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The American Bookmaker.
A Journal of Technical Art and Information,
For Publishers, Printers, Lithographers, Bookbinders,
Blank-Book Manufacturers, and all others connected
with or interested in Bookmaking.
———
HOWARD LOCKWOOD & CO., Publishers,
126 and 128 Duane Street, New York.
Ma[y]
Mr Walt Whitman
My dear Sir:
In the July issue of the Bookmaker1 of which I send you two copies, we purpose publishing a very fine pen and ink head of you, specially made for us by Mr. Frank Fowler2 the well-known artist, with a sketch of your life.3
Will you be kind enough to write on the enclosed card a few words about books, which I will place under your portrait in facsimile.
I shall take pleasure in sending you copies for your friends.
Yrs very truly
Ingersoll Lockwood
Correspondent:
Ingersoll Lockwood
(1841–1918) was an American lawyer and writer. He is particularly
well-known for his Baron Trump children's novels. He also wrote non-fiction
under the pseudonym Irwin Longman. In 1862, Abraham Lincoln appointed Lockwood
as Consul to the Kingdom of Hanover. He served in the position for four years.
Lockwood was the brother of publisher Howard Lockwood.
Notes:
1. The American Bookmaker began in July 1885 as a monthly publication for printing and bookmaking professionals. It was published in New York by Howard Lockwood & Co. The publication underwent numerous name changes and at least one merger. When the serial ceased publication in 2011, it was known as The American Printer. [back]
2. Frank Fowler (1852–1910) was an American figure and portrait painter. Originally from Brooklyn, Fowler trained in Florence and Paris before returning to the United States. He was a member of the National Academy of Design, the Society of American Artists, and the American Fine Arts Society. [back]
3. Fowler's portait, along with a facsimile of Whitman's note was published in the August 1888 issue. See "Frank Fowler. Specimen of Pen and Ink Portraiture (Walt Whitman)," The American Bookmaker 7.2 (August 1888), 28. [back]