Beschreibung
Octavo, green cloth lettered in gilt; top edge gilt; pictorial dust jacket, with several chips not affecting the lettering or cover image of Burroughs; enclosed in a custom-made morocco box. First edition; first appearance of Burroughs's 102-page "Autobiographical Sketches." BAL 2188. A presentation copy, inscribed: "To Orlando Rouland, with Xmas greetings from his friend, John Burroughs, Dec. 1914," on the front endpaper. Accompanied by three autograph letters from Barrus to Orlando Rouland and his wife Minnie Dwight, February 15, 1918 (one leaf, approximately 70 words); March 18, 1921 (two leaves, approximately 250 words); March 30, 1921 (one leaf, 50 words), unpublished ----- Barrus met Burroughs while she was practicing medicine, and was associated with him for almost two decades, until his death in 1921. She was Burroughs's friend, secretary, biographer, constant traveling companion, lover, literary executor, and conduit for close friends like Orlando and Minnie Dwight Rouland, with whom she shared information regarding the naturalist. One of the great portrait painters of the age, Orlando studied in Germany with Max Thedy and at the Julian Academy in Paris, as well as in London and New York City. His portraits began to attract notice around 1905. He married Minnie, a New York socialite, who actively promoted his career. Her patronage of dancer Ruth St. Denis inspired Rouland to paint St. Denis performing her work "Cobras." Rouland also painted portraits of such public figures as his friends Theodore Roosevelt, Hamlin Garland, Thomas Edison, William Dean Howells, John Muir, and Burroughs. Burroughs and Rouland developed a special friendship. In the "Life and Letters of John Burroughs" (1925), Barrus recorded the many wonderful visits between both men, whether at their nearby summer homes at Tannersville or at Rouland's Manhattan apartment. According to the "Bookman" (1921), Rouland painted Burroughs seventeen times, one commissioned by Theodore Roosevelt, who retained the portrait. In the three letters Barrus wrote to Rouland, she discussed particulars about Burroughs, including his travel plans and fragile health. For instance, in her March 18, 1921, letter from California, Barrus informed the Roulands: "We were in the hospital four weary weeks, and just left their yesterday. It has been a long and trying time for him, and he is still suffering from the inroads the infection made on his health. He is sleeping now, but I know -- he would send his love to you." Shortly thereafter, Barrus and Burroughs traveled cross-country by train, aboard which the great naturalist passed away on April 2. The last letter, written the day after Burroughs's death, ended with Barrus inviting the Roulands to the funeral: "The services are Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Of course the notice that the funeral is private does not apply to the intimate friends of Mr. Burroughs, and we shall expect you." On April 2, the Burroughs family, Barrus, the Roulands, and other friends gathered to pay their respects at Burroughs's Riverby home. An intimate presentation copy with a distinguished provenance. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers ABE-12251357520
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