Mason, Henry Lowell

HENRY LOWELL MASON AUTOGRAPHED LETTERS SIGNED [ALS] WITH MUSIC

1945. Two letters from Henry Mason.

The first is a one page typed signed letter with two folds and housed in the original envelope. Dated January 1, 1945, it discusses general pleasantries as well as Mason's opinion of the atomic bomb "Well it seems to me that a wise course is now being pursued as to this. We may all hope for the best outcome now that the terrific thing has been discovered."

The second letter is a small card (13.5x8.5cm) autograph letter signed. Dated September 9, 1945, it discusses Mason acceding to a request for two phrases of his music and sending them along. With the letter are said two phrases, each on their own card with the history of the songs, being titled 'Our Christ' and 'When all the world is young, Lad.'

Letters are in Very Good condition with light wear. Light age toning to envelopes. KW Consignment. Shelved case 0.

1366437

Shelved Dupont Bookstore

Price: $500 save 20% $400

NOTES

From the Stephen May Autograph Collection. As a youth in the 1940's, Stephen May (1931-2016) collected autographs of famous people, identifying individuals through Who's Who publications and contacting them with a thoughtful, lengthy, well-researched letter introducing himself, acknowledging the individuals’ accomplishments, asking one or two pertinent questions and, finally, requesting that they return a signature. Some responded simply with an autograph on a provided 3x5 card while others included bonus material with the signature in the form of a poem, letter, friendly greeting, or words of advice for the teenage boy. Steve's collecting hobby became known among his family and wider circle of friends in the city of Rochester, NY, where his father, Arthur J. May, taught European history at the University of Rochester, and his mother, Hilda Jones May, was active in the community. Eventually, more people helped Steve in his pursuit, which accounts for the signatures with dates before or after the mid-40's and without the prompting of a letter from him. A few signatures are from the 19th century. The collection is a broad representation of the people and forces that shaped our world, and the culture, accomplishments, and innovations of the first half the 20th century.