E. H. Hames & Co. to Walt Whitman, 12 May 1880
20040512_0077.jpg
E. H. HAMES & CO. Edward Abbott.
Edward H. Hames.
P. O. Box 1183. The Literary World,1 Boston, May 12, 1880 Dear Sir:
Our judgment is that it would be better not to print the introductory notes. Have you any objection to your signature being placed at the end?
Respectfully E. H. Hames & Co. Mr. Walt Whitman
20040512_0076.jpg
Correspondent:
Edward H. Hames (1844–1922)
served as business manager of the monthly journal The Literary
World after he and editor Edward Abbott purchased the journal from its
founder, Samuel R. Crocker, in 1877. Hames worked with the Boston-based journal
until 1903.
Notes
- 1. Whitman's relationship with the The Literary World changed over the years. In 1888, the poet recalled: "The Literary World started out years ago with being friendly—almost fulsome, eulogistic: its head man was Abbot: I had several letters from Abbot, written in a friendly temper: displaying a friendly feeling for me. The other man, the money man, on The World, was Hines [...] At that time [1880] they wanted me to send them something for an Emerson number of The World [...] I sent them the piece— [...] But this friendly disposition came to an end. There was a time when the question of W. W. came up—Abbot must have been overborne: yet, whatever the policy of the paper, more recent letters from Abbot—personal letters—have in substance repeated his original judgment" (Charles E. Feinberg Collection; Horace Traubel, With Walt Whitman in Camden, Monday, December 10, 1888. [back]