Details
WHITMAN, Walt. Autograph manuscript signed ("Walt Whitman") of "Impromptu memorandum," his preface to the book Giordano Bruno: Philosopher and Martyr: Two Addresses by Daniel G. Brinton and Thomas Davidson, n.p. [Camden], 24 February 1890. 1 page, oblong (140 X 235 mm.), in pencil, written on verso of a letter to Whitman which he has lined through, a bit soiled and smudged, otherwise fine.
WHITMAN ON BRUNO. A working manuscript, with heavy corrections, deletions and revisions (a few in pen) and Whitman's note at bottom: "Impromptu memorandum of Walt Whitman." Giordano Bruno: Philosopher and Martyr was published in 1890 by Whitman's publisher, David Mackay of Philadelphia. Whitman's "impromptu memorandum" apears on page [iii], following the title-leaf, and reads here in part: "As America's mental courage (the thought came to me to-day) is so indebted to all current lands & peoples, to the noble army of old world martyrs past, how incumbent on us to disencumber those martyrs' lives and names...And typical of this...perhaps Giordano Bruno's may well be put, to-day and to come, in our New World's thankfulest heart and memory." Brinton's and Davidsons lectures on Giordano Bruno were delivered to the Contemporary Club of Philadelphia on 14 January 1890. As Brinton notes in his prefatory note on page vi, "The lines by Walt Whitman will be appreciated by those who are in sympathy with his sterling philosophy of life. They were written after reading the first of the addresses here published (Brinton's), his infirmities having prevented him from attending the meeting of the club, of which he is an honored member."
Provenance: The Estelle Doheny Collection (sale, Christie's New York, 21-22 February 1989, lot 2217).
WHITMAN ON BRUNO. A working manuscript, with heavy corrections, deletions and revisions (a few in pen) and Whitman's note at bottom: "Impromptu memorandum of Walt Whitman." Giordano Bruno: Philosopher and Martyr was published in 1890 by Whitman's publisher, David Mackay of Philadelphia. Whitman's "impromptu memorandum" apears on page [iii], following the title-leaf, and reads here in part: "As America's mental courage (the thought came to me to-day) is so indebted to all current lands & peoples, to the noble army of old world martyrs past, how incumbent on us to disencumber those martyrs' lives and names...And typical of this...perhaps Giordano Bruno's may well be put, to-day and to come, in our New World's thankfulest heart and memory." Brinton's and Davidsons lectures on Giordano Bruno were delivered to the Contemporary Club of Philadelphia on 14 January 1890. As Brinton notes in his prefatory note on page vi, "The lines by Walt Whitman will be appreciated by those who are in sympathy with his sterling philosophy of life. They were written after reading the first of the addresses here published (Brinton's), his infirmities having prevented him from attending the meeting of the club, of which he is an honored member."
Provenance: The Estelle Doheny Collection (sale, Christie's New York, 21-22 February 1989, lot 2217).