The Walt Whitman Archive
Life & Letters
Correspondence
About this Item
Title: Thomas W. Aston to Walt Whitman, 28 October 1889
Date: October 28, 1889
Whitman Archive ID: loc.07877
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 notes: The annotation, "Memo for Mildred Bain. This is interesting. Walt's memos on the adverse of the sheet give the document extra rarity. Horace Traubel: 1910.," is in the hand of Horace Traubel.
Related items: On the back of this letter, Whitman wrote a list of names and addresses. Whitman repurposed the envelope in which he received this letter, using the blank inside for writing paper in order to write his November 16, 1889, letter to Richard Maurice Bucke. See loc.08237, and loc.07733.
Contributors to digital file: Ashlyn Stewart, Brandon James O'Neil, Amanda J. Axley, and Stephanie Blalock
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White Hall Hotel.
S. M. Crall, Proprietor.1
No. 217 Market Street.
Open Day and Night.
House Remodeled and Newly Furnished
Throughout.
Harrisburg, Pa.,
Oct 28th 89 1882
Walt Whitman Esq,
Camden N.J.
Respected Sir,
My object in writing to you is simply to request that you would favor me with your autograph. I was in London Canada, in fact a resident there when you were a visitor and guest in that city. I was quite young then and since then have become quite familiar with your writings. If you should so favor me I shall always treasure the same as a valued momento of you.
Heartily wishing you all possible health and happiness.
I remain.
Faithfully yours.
T. W. Aston
Correspondent:
Thomas W. Aston (b. 1859) was a law student in London, Ontario, Canada, according to the 1881 Census of Canada.
Notes:
1. As yet we have no information about this person. [back]
2. This letter is addressed: Walt Whitman Esq. | Camden. | N. J. It is postmarked: Harrisburg, PA. | 930AM | OC128 | [illegible]; Camden, N.J. | O [illegible] | 28 | 4PM | 1889 | Rec'd. [back]