South Shaftsbury, Vermont with penciled notation "Original ms typed by Mr. Frost about 1928.

With a printed program for the event.

Inscribed "For Frederic Melcher".

Henry Holt and Company, New York (1of 2 folders)

Henry Holt and Company, New York (2 of 2 folders)

outh Shaftsbury, Vermont with penciled notation "Original ms typed by Mr. Frost about 1928.

South Shaftsbury, Vermont with penciled notation "Original ms typed by Mr. Frost about 1928."

Henry Holt & Company, New York.

Reprinted as a presentation piece by Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc. following the Kennedy inauguration.

Including "Fragmentary Blue " and "Place for a Third. "

Inscribed " R.F. to F.M."

South Shaftsbury, Vermont with penciled notation "Original ms typed by Mr. Frost about 1928," and "In West Running Brook."

Essex County, Massachusetts, grandfather of Robert Frost.

In New England Magazine .

Lawrence High School, 1892, published in the Lawrence High School Bulletin .

Issue also includes "Robert Frost and the Dark Woods " by J. McBride Dabbs.

Inscribed "Dear Fred: This is a preview of our group Christmas poem for 1945. R.F."

Inscribed "For Fred Melcher Montclair April 1 1933."

South Shaftsbury, Vermont with penciled notation, "Original ms typed by Mr. Frost about 1928."

Includes "Moon Compasses, ""A Missive Missile, " and "After-Flakes. "

South Shaftsbury, Vermont with penciled notation "Original ms typed by Mr. Frost about 1928."

Inscribed to "F[red] M[elcher]- an old one."

With typescript copy.

Apologizes for not answering his letters promptly and arranges to come to his home in New Jersey early in December and read to his audience, talking about "Vocal Reality." Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Suggests the date of December 3 for his visit and reading. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Explains that he has made a mistake in looking at his calendar and that December 4 would be a much better date for his lecture in New Jersey, since Wednesday is his busiest day in Amherst. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Promises to make the college accommodate itself to their plans and not to worry. Frost also supposes that Carl Sandburg has sung "the Livery Stable Blues" to Melcher, furnishing an example that he had heard. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Frost comments about Robert Chapin's illustrations for North of Boston, "His part of the book in a word, is cosmopolite. And they don't just see instantly how it goes with the work of a person who is known to hold that nine-tenths of personality is locality." Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Postpones doing a reading for Melcher as he is too tired and beset by his responsibilities to his book, college duties, family, and farming. He also suggests that Melcher let one of his friends "do a real deliberate article about my literature- a whole page or two of reconsideration." Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Answers both Melcher's letters to himself and to Lesley at the same time, saying "You have the dates and publishers of my first editions exactly right. The Holt edition of A Boy's Will and North of Boston have no additional material and no changes in the text that I am aware of. I hope to see you when I am in N.Y. just after Christmas if you are visible." Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Arranges his "speaker's fee," "Whatever I come to Montclair to do it will be in exchange for your coming here once to talk to my class. That is to say you will speak for the same price I speak for. As long as no money will change hands we may as well be exorbitant and establish high records for ourselves. Suppose we make it [G.K.] Chesterton and [Sir Rabindranath] Tagore's figure- one thousand dollars." Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Agrees to swap speaking dates with Frost, hoping for January 11th for Frost's visit. He also asks if he could visit Frost in February as he has to speak at Simmons College on February 6th. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

With a check for $ 75.00 drawn on the First National Bank, Amherst, Massachusetts, and signed by Frost, wherein he addresses creativity, "The Harvard psychologists have been asking us writers if in our experience the act of creation doesn't just naturally articulate into a state followed by an idea followed by some work. Old Christopher Smart said that what God created had to be determined dared and done. As long as we keep to triplets I don't much care"; his debt to Melcher, sending him his eternal gratitude and the enclosed check; and their friendship, "I'd rather see you once than write you a thousand letters." Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Agrees to allow Melcher to give him a "triumphal dinner" in honor of his fiftieth birthday as long as he doesn't have to look or act the age. Frost also asks him to make sure to invite the Untermeyers who had also suggested a celebration for him. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Promises that the birthday celebration will be one that both he and Mrs. Frost will enjoy, plans to host it at the Hotel Brevoort, and asks for any friends he wishes to include in the guest list. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Contributes her suggestions for Robert Frost's 50th birthday party and sends her regrets that they will not be home when he is in their area. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Wants to meet with Melcher during his trip to Springfield and discuss "that Scribners business we got started and never finished." Mentions that he has learned to drive and that he could pick him up if he came by train. Also mentions his daughter, Margery, and her poor health. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Says that the title of his next book will be West-running Brook , includes a carbon transcript of the telegram.

Expresses his happiness that [Nicholas] Vachel [Lindsay?] is out of debt, Melcher is doing a bibliography of his work for Colophon and that he is coming to see their new farm. Frost also refers to Rudyard Kipling's monkey symbolism. Margery has taken up nursing. Possibly mentions his earliest work, Twilight , "I have a small edition of one copy of an early book of mine that nobody but Elinor and I and the printer ever saw. You'll have to say if it counts in my bibliography." Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Has lost his letter so does not know the name of the man that he needs to inscribe on the two firsts sent to him to sign and has just returned from Middletown, Connecticut, where his book has gained him popularity. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Hopes that Mrs. Melcher can visit also, says they are still living in the shingled cottage while repairs are being made to the farmhouse, Marjorie is in her sixth month at the hospital and is doing good work, and Lesley's baby girl is "a perfect darling." Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Discusses various editions of his books, saying "I have no first edition of the American North of Boston in blue myself." He also mentions A Boy's Will and articles about himself that might be useful in Melcher's bibliography. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Asks to borrow his copy of "The Lovely Shall Be Choosers. " Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Returns "the precious first American edition of North of Boston ," lent for use in his bibliography, and mentions the use of Zadig's portrait of Frost from The Herald Tribune for his article. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Plans to mail Frost a copy of his article about Frost in The Colophon which has more orders than they can fill. He also believes that the bookseller prices for Frost material are on their way up. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Thanks Melcher for The Colophon and its impressive treatment of himself, and asks for some advice about whether he should do a series of lectures on poetry during the winter at the New School of Social Research, not being afraid of associating with either radicals or Jews. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Urges Frost to do the lecture series for the New School of Social Research because he has always wanted to hear what Frost has to say about the subject of poetry itself, the poet's relationship to nature, the world, and his work. He also believes that he informal nature of his lectures at the New School would be more stimulating than those given in the campus mold. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Compares his copy of the new edition of the Collected Poems printed by Random House with the trade edition from Holt, which he much prefers due to the weight of the volume, the size of the page, and the binding. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Refers to Melcher's article in The Colophon , "Elinor and I think this is one of the best things ever written about me and my books. I have made a few corrections and one or two suggestions."

Sends his desperate plea, "For the love of literature plead with [Alfred?] Dashiell and [Henry Seidel] Canby not to blame me too much if I find myself unequal to presiding over dinners. I should have known that was what I was letting myself in for. Must be got out of office without making a noise." Melcher has written his a copy of his reply on the telegram itself, promising to intercede on his behalf with the P.E.N. officers who should be content with using his name in their masthead.

Urges Frost not to be concerned about the P.E.N. dinner, although his friends would welcome his presence, he has telephoned Dashiell and all is well.

Expresses his appreciation for the poem on Melcher's Christmas card, voices his concerns about the family of Nicholas Vachel Lindsay and asks if money is being raised for his widow. Frost feels that they should help her find a job so she can keep the children with her. He also shares his feelings of shame at his cowardly behavior over the P.E.N. dinner during his brief term in office.

Asks Melcher to give some practical advice to William, the son of Professor Otto Manthey-Zorn, Frost's "chief intimate" at Amherst, who is interested in eventually setting up a bookseller's business. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Encloses the poem he particularly liked (not present) which probably should have been entitled Without "Prejudice to Anything, " to prevent people from thinking he is disparaging machinery. He promises to copy out "In Time of Cloud-Burst " for Melcher but cannot answer any questions about misprints in "Mountain Interval " at this time. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Discusses the cover of A Boy's Will , and Key West, Florida, as he sees it on his winter vacation, "It is a very very dead place because it has died several times. It died as a resort of pirates, than as a house of smugglers and wreckers, then as a cigar manufactury (the Cubans moved over here to get inside the tariff wall) then as a winter resort boomtown. Franklin D. himself has taken it personally in hand to give it one more life to loose." He once again mentions his Presidency of P.E.N. and claims that Dashiel has been taking his revenge on his failure by not featuring his poetry. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Sends a copy of her daughter Marjorie's little book of poetry. She states that thinking about the book helped her make it through the last year, although "now that it is done, I seem to feel an utter depression that is almost worse than severe physical pain." Robert is at an interval in his lectures at Harvard due to their vacation time but has been busy with other engagements. Elinor also thanks her for the winter of theatre going together.

Sends Frost the names of two book collectors who would be thrilled to receive a copy of the Dartmouth brochure.

Discusses the Amherst College Library, its neglect, lack of use by the boys, and the need for its promotion. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Explains his "tangle" with Macmillan, over King Jasper, A Poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson, with an introduction by Robert Frost, "because it wasn't an appraisal, didn't mention King Jasper and didn't bring in enough Robinson," and their advertisement which says he will autograph their $7.50 edition for no additional payment. He also mentions that he is going to New York in October to make some records for Professor Hibbet at Columbia. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Advises Frost to not autograph the Macmillan books unless they pay him another two hundred dollars. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Plans to use his poem "Departmental, " which will appear in The Yale Review , for a Christmas greeting. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Asks for the article and pictures back, hopes to see him in April when she is going to Cambridge for her spring vacation with her mother and father.

Hopes he is comfortable in his new surroundings, finds it exciting that over 50,000 copies of Frost's new volume are going out for sale all at once, tells of hearing from Lesley, and mentions a visit with Carl Sandburg last week.

Apologizes for keeping her photographs so long and asks if he can have one made of her father and mother for his personal collection. Also mentions that the Book-of-the-Month Club has taken Far Range for distribution which should certainly help the sales of Collected Poems .

Wishes Frost a happy 61st birthday, congratulates him on being the guest of honor on the 300th anniversary of Harvard University, discusses the new edition of Untermeyer, which contains over 30 of Frost's poems, and [Charles R.] Green's bibliography.

Refers to Frost's time in Texas, and the pleasure of his friend, Rosengren, of San Antonio, at the pleasure of meeting Frost, and his plans on having David Randall of Scribner's to review Green's bibliography.

Congratulates Frost on winning the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for A Further Range .

Expresses his pleasure that Thornton is using his Colophon article in the volume they are publishing, mentions an Horatio Alger title that his book scout has found, "Out for Business, or Robert Frost's Strange Career." Also mentions a new article by [Robert S.] Newdick and an early Frost family photograph.

Notices from the Book Fair program that Frost will be in town soon and hope he will have time to visit Melcher at this home.

Hopes that the Frosts are basking in the sunlight and that Elinor is better, mentions seeing Frost's photograph and an article by Bernard De Voto used in the current Holt advertisement, and briefly discusses a book about Edward Thomas by R.P. Eckert.

"I shall be along by next Tuesday. I shall want to thank you a lot when I see you," with a printed card announcing funeral services for Elinor Frost to be held at Johnson Chapel, Amherst College, at 3 o'clock on Friday, April 22, 1938. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Offers suggestions about future employment, specifically with the Providence Booke Shop belonging to Mrs. Benjamin C. Clough, and the Kirkus Review service owned by Virginia Kirkus.

Thanks him for his prompt reply and his suggestions about future employment. She also shares some of her interests, especially about the Providence Booke Shop.

Informs her that he has asked Virginia Kirkus to write with more details about her service.

Asks is she is interested in selling the Pittsfield business.

Plans on arriving in New York next week and wants to meet with John Joseph Hagedorn and his wife over selling her business and also with Mrs. Kirkus.

Mails a Pickering volume, thanks Frost for a poem and offers his home as a sort of between stop if he needs one.

Refers to a full month vacation at Cape Cod and a visit from Lesley, who has decided to take a position in Washington, D.C., another offer of his home as a place of refuge to write, and asks if he would consider giving a talk for the Unity Institute Course in Montclair.

Frost finds Melcher's offer of a place to work at his home attractive but feels his restless mood would prevent him from accepting, wants to do the talk for Melcher in Montclair if they can find a good time, and gives his current engagements. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Suggests March 31st as a good date for his visit to Montclair to speak and mentions obtaining a colored photograph of Frost by Blackstone. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Agrees to speak on March 24th, mentions his desperate restlessness, and addresses at which he may be reached, "But Amherst no more!" Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Melcher is pleased he will see Frost at the Columbia Library School and is glad Frost is living on Mt. Vernon Street, familiar to him from his days at Lauriat's. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Reports about William Sloane, formerly of Farrar and Rinehart, and his plans for Holt & Company and the advertising for Frost's books.

Writes that he is very excited about Frost's introduction to the Holt Collected Poems , but was bothered that Holt used a different font of type to set the new section "using Linotype because it is less expensive than Monotype."

Discusses an interview that Frost gave at the Maplewood school and a poem that a student, Barbara Norton, had written.

Refers to the Ralph Waldo Emerson Fellow in Poetry awarded to Frost by Harvard University.

Expresses his shock and dismay that Melcher has been seriously ill, mentions writing a poem for a Christmas card for Joe Blumenthal, but adds, "Don't let this encourage you to think I am writing any more. I haven't got over hating paper pen and ink yet." Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Refers to his visit with Frost and his concern that he take regular meals.

Enjoys Louis Untermeyer's book and the Scholastic Magazine Poetry Corner featuring Frost, with its good photograph of Frost.

Sends Frost a copy of Emerson's Poems , London, 1847, for his enjoyment.

Checks on several questions about autographed poems in Frost editions sold by questionable booksellers, especially two dedicated to E. Ording and H. Conti. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Replies that he has done things for E. Ording on request and wonders if H. Conti is not H. Knauti, who had aroused their suspicion. Shares his plans to lecture at Chicago University on the subject "Where is the Place of Ideals and Who is Their Keeper?" and mentions several other speaking engagements. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Thanks him for his comments about E. Ording and H. Knauti, which he will pass on to his friend Captain [Louis Henry] Cohn, who specializes in Frost material.

Agrees to a birthday party at the P.E.N. club if he only has to read a poems or two to pay his way, and if Melcher can work it out with Henry Holt and Company. Frost tells about the other commitments he has in New York at the same time period. Talks about being with Prescott and Lillian on a small five acre farm in Florida where Prescott is attending the University of Miami.

Discusses his speaking tour of England which was arranged by The National Book League. He also tells of his presentation of their joint Christmas card of "Two Tramps" to John Masefield and his suggestion that the National Book League should elect Robert Frost as the first honorary life member, which they did on the spot. Also mentions the new edition of Come In which he gave as gifts while on his trip.

Discusses Melcher's report of his trip to England and his pleasure at John Masefield's interest in his poetry. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Tells Melcher not to worry about his idea about staying at his house for awhile since he is not sure he could be lured so close to New York and says he is glad that Melcher likes the new president. Also present is an empty envelope addressed to Melcher in Frost's hand, postmarked November 20, 1945.

Thinks Frost must be pleased with the Pocket Book of Poems , which uses the Untermeyer selection and introduction and the Cosgrave pictures. He also enjoyed the article by Frost about writing poetry in the October Atlantic .

Identifies H. Kauti as Van Nosdall, a famous faker in the book business.

Written on Melcher's Place Card at a dinner given to Frost by Henry Holt & Company at the University Club

Understands why Frost cannot make it to the Book Sellers Convention in May.

Provides the results of his investigation of Mr. Kerti, who requested a signed portrait.

Mentions seeing Frost in the Times that morning and that P.E.N. wants to honor Frost at their cocktail party.

Thanks Frost for his contribution to the auction held by the American Library Association to raise money for a children's librarian scholarship in Melcher's name.

On a black and white postcard of Robert Frost's cabin in Ripton, Vermont, "All best wishes to you and yours, Marguerite. We both know what it means to lose great men."

Reports that he has received a "flood of Americana" from Goodspeeds , a good book from Dal Hitchcock, and the "Pueblo Potter " from Melcher. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Writes that they did not leave Key West as soon as expected, she is visiting Irma while Robert is staying around Washington, D.C., and she is still very weak.

Updates her about Marjorie's bouts of ill health, thanks her for writing to Marjorie, and tells her that they have decided to give up the fellowship at Michigan and move closer to the children, especially Carol. Robert has to lecture at Amherst for six or eight weeks next year, as well as other New England colleges.

They will leave for Amherst after an absence of four months, and will remain there until April 1st . They had a very good visit with Lillian during their summer in California. Includes a carbon transcript of the letter.

Available from Erpi Picture Consultants, Inc.

Published by The Harbor Press.

Annotated by the author, later printed in Colophon, May 1930

In The Book Collector's Packet , Volume 4 Number 5, pages 10-12, signed by Robert Frost and inscribed to Fred Melcher,

Collected by J. Brussels in London and given to Frederic Melcher for use in the Amherst Library bibliography.

With a letter from Edgar T. Rigg, President, Henry Holt and Company, Inc., to Frederic Melcher, March 6, 1959, about the celebration, and a copy of the menu.

Inscribed "Robert Frost to Fred Melcher".

Showing the first house belonging to Frost in South Shaftsbury, Vermont.

Quoted in "Literary Notes " Yale University Press.

Published as a supplement to The Bookman .

With an exhibition card listing the painting, January 20, 1930- February 8, 1930.

With two copies of the program.

The Lord Jeffery Inn, Amherst, Massachusetts.

Typescript copy of an article from The Portsmouth Journal .

With an account dated March 31, 1918.

"Life Studies of Wild Squirrels " inscribed by Seton to Frederic G. Melcher.

Menu and Related Materials, leaving the employment of Charles E. Lauriat Company of Boston.

Chiefly appointments to positions on boards.

Mentions the League of Nations stories and an editorial about them that he was asked to write.

Says he cannot identify the poem they are seeking but thinks their client may be interested in one of his two books, Indian Idylls and Lotus and Jewel .

During the talk Frost spoke of his dear friends who have meant so much to him in the writing and publishing of his poems, mentioning Melcher prominently as one who was "a perfect guide and intermediary between himself and publishers, printers, bibliophiles and such."

Boy Scouts of America invites Melcher to a luncheon with Douglas Fairbanks (1924) and sends to Melcher a Boy Scout lapel button and certificate (not present) as member of the National Council (1943)

William Stanley Braithwaite sends Melcher a set of advance sheets for his anthology of magazine verse for 1913. Also present is a note from Melcher to Braithwaite about his account (1912), an obituary and notice of his funeral services (1962).

John Buchan (Lord Tweedsmuir) gives Melcher permission to quote from his letter about Mr. Paine's Booklovers Map of the British Isles (1928) and thanks him for his kindness and introduction at the gathering, which he enjoyed very much (Jan 11).

Pearl S. Buck discusses his invitation (1935); her desire for Melcher to serve on the board of judges who select the monthly book used in the forums for librarians for The East and West Association (1943); his willingness to serve on the Board of Directors of The East and West Association (1948); the suspension of the publication of the magazine People (1949); and the announcement that she is suspending the activities of The East and West Association (1951) due to financial considerations.

Gelett Burgess thanks Melcher for his talk and asks if he knows any really good traveling salesmen who know how books are sold on the road (1921); and asks for three copies of The Publisher's Weekly for Nov 6th or 7th, which contains a bibliography of his works (1926).

Ellis Parker Butler recommends Irving Stone's novel about Vincent Van Gogh, Lust For Life , deeming it "the most intensely interesting book I have read in year..." and "inevitably destined to become a classic of fictional biography."

Witter Bynner regrets that he is unable to attend Robert Frost's dinner (1925); sends corrections for the page of his first editions as it appears in Publisher's Weekly before it appears in book form (1926); and a short humorous verse (n.d.) concerning Robert Frost: "I have a Boy's Will North of Bosting A New Hampshire Cake With Robert Frosting"

He reveals that "America has simply not produced an adequate literature anywhere." (1917); finds that he is unable to write an article on Guy Holt for Melcher, as he is still deeply affected by his death (1934).

Regrets that she does not have time to do a talk for him (1926); says of Jurgen , "I've had the greatest fun with Jurgen ! If the indecent parts of the book were cut out, there is [?] nothing interesting left, but that's a real merit. In most American books the indecency is so unessential, even when its put there with a swagger." She also assures him that "you are the only man connected with the selling end of the book trade whom it doesn't make me vastly blue to talk with." (n.d.); Also present are two undated calling cards from Cather telling when she will be at home at Five Bank Street.

Mary Ellen Chase thanks Melcher for the August article about her in Publisher's Weekly and informs him that she will be sailing for England on the 8th or 9th of September when her book, Mary Peters , is released. She also thanks him for his kind letter about the book that she read on the train to New York.

Melcher writes to bookseller Louis Henry Cohn, relaying what Robert Frost had to say about autographed poems in Frost editions which he had done for E. Ording on request and his suspicion that Conti was H. Knauti. (See also Frost letters, 1944).

Dr. James B. Conant, Harvard University, asks Melcher to serve on a special committee to hire a successor for the Director of the Harvard University Press, Mr. Scaife, and Melcher accepts.

Grace Hazard Conkling, Hampshire Bookshop, Inc. accepts his invitation to the Robert Frost dinner (1925); and agrees to speak at Montclair, New Jersey, with Melcher's reply (1926).

Malcolm Cowley asks Melcher to write a short review about the White Oak Library and thanks him for doing so.

James Henry Daugherty mentions Daniel Boone and the last Horn Book as examples of his good work and proclaims, "I do so now [acknowledge Melcher] happy to know that all good books as well as children's books have so active a champion and so articulate and creative an imagination to speak and strike in their cause."

Discusses the testimony of Mr. Gaines and danger of censorship and his gratitude for listing him first in non-fiction in the Publisher's Weekly (1954).

Edward H. Dodd, Jr. sends an advance copy of Winston Churchill's Birth of Britain to Melcher, and calls bringing it into print an exhilarating and inspiring experience. Also mentions that Churchill had finished Volume II and was working on Volume III.

Marion Dodd, The Hamphire Bookshop, Inc., mentions that she has recently purchased from Robert Frost a number of his poems, two original drafts, and a copybook containing the poem "New Hampshire." She asks Melcher what she should pay for them, but Melcher declines to value the manuscripts and suggests she check American Book Prices Current .

George H. Doran thanks Melcher for how he used his article on Hester Hunter and hopes it encourages "talented and energetic women to open bookshops in their homes." He also asks to borrow the two half-tones used in the article.

John Dos Passos writes that he enjoyed their lunch and that there appeared to be a small break on passage costs for P.E.N. members. He also asks if John Marquand was going [on the voyage] ?

Lloyd C. Douglas accepts an invitation to dinner at Melcher's home which he thoroughly enjoyed (1943) and sends an article for the forthcoming religious number of Publisher's Weekly requested by Melcher (1944).

Theodore Dreiser discusses in detail the facts that he feels that each publisher should take into account with their affidavits concerning his arbitration case with the Liveright Publishing Corporation over the cost of the plates of his work and the price per copy of his bound books (April 30, 1934). He also thanks Melcher very much for his assistance in submitting an affidavit to the arbitration on his behalf (May 10, 1934). In answer to Melcher's request for his suggestion for "required reading," Dreiser declines as there are too many from which to choose.

Will Durant, takes a moment from his own work The Story of Civilization to give his recommendations for required reading, "I should recommend to the reader who wishes to be profoundly instructed and moved, Dostoievski's novel The Brothers Karamazov ; and to the reader who is tough-minded enough to care for instruction without amusement, Spengler's Decline of the West . I think the novels of Pearl Buck show a fine understanding of human life. William Henry Chamberlain's Russia's Iron Age seems to be the best recent survey of the Communist experiment in Russia. Or let the reader digest the book of Ecclesiastes, and tell me how God ever let that dour tract into the Bible."

W.A. Dwiggins asks for a copy of the article in Publisher's Weekly about his work (1928); and shares his thoughts about a "Twenty Years After " article for the Publisher's Weekly (1939).

Suggests that the topic of his lecture at Montclair, New Jersey, will be a talk on the amateur revival in our theater and its meaning for American life (December 28, 1924 & January 2, 1925); accepts invitation to the Frost dinner and asks about a manuscript for twenty-five one-act plays (March 3, 1925); arranges to stay with Melcher during a lecture at Monclair, New Jersey, but says that his wife never attends his lectures, "She stays home and reads Edgar Wallace" (1932); discusses the play Uncle Tom and its possibilities (June 3, 1933); sends a brief review of February Hill by Victoria Lincoln, "Drama, humor and beauty in a sordid shack & sordid lives in -of all places!- Fall River" (January 5, 1935); and writes briefly about his motor trip in Great Britain (September 2, 1935).

Rachel Field shares her excitement and pleasure at winning the Newbery Medal, for Hitty: Her First Hundred Years and her presence at the California American Library Association meeting and thanks Melcher for all the good publicity she received from Publisher's Weekly (July 19, 1930); thanks him for sending Esther Burr (1931) and responding quickly about Wilson Follett (1936).

Dorothy Canfield Fisher regrets that she is unable to accept speaking engagements while her children are still young and Melcher agrees that for writers to speak is a great imposition on their time although he has seen the benefits of public exposure for the author. He also enjoyed her story "Hats" and found its conclusions applicable to publishing (1924); accepts invitation to the Robert Frost dinner, and says, "I'd have been outrageously disappointed to have missed it" (Mar 3, [1925]); shares that she did not enjoy writing Her Son's Wife [1926?]; thanks Melcher for his thoughtful and reassuring words about her last book [ Why Stop Learning ?] and expresses her concern over the health of Marjorie Frost (Jan 6, 11, 1928); recommends that Americans make much greater use of the Encyclopedia in their everyday questions and disputes (Dec 31, 1934); asks for extra copies of Publisher's Weekly with its excellent photographs of the Skinner Award dinner so she can send them to her friends overseas (1951); thanks Melcher for promising to send her Volume III of the Bowker lectures and mentions that the University of Vermont has been collecting her papers for the last ten years. She also tells of selecting some of her short stories from the last fifty years for publication by Harcourt, Brace and Company (March 4, 1956); and Melcher replies about the importance of collecting the papers of writers, mentioning some of hers in his collection, as well as two favorite photographs of Fisher which are present in this folder (March 8, 1956). In her undated correspondence, she mentions the death of her father-in-law just prior to her speaking engagement at Montclair and the need to borrow a copy of her book Hillsboro People for her reading; and mentions the illness of Marjorie Frost.

Justice Felix Frankfurter thanks Melcher for the gift of a book and says, "Particularly as to things of the mind and spirit, which includes manifestations of beauty, I do not want this country to lag behind any other."

Ruth G. Gagliardo discusses the upcoming auction and her success in getting Robert Frost to write out his poem, "Pasture " and sign it for the auction. She also shares his note praising his great friend, Fred Melcher.

Richard Le Gallienne to Charles E. Lauriat, expects to be able to send a large paper copy of his [ Odes from the Divan of Hafiz ?] within a fortnight.

Says that the book business would not be such pleasant company without Melcher and that he hopes that he himself has at least twenty more years to do the things that can't be done in the confines of a daily newspaper column.

Eric Gill complains that the edition of Troilus and Cressida produced by Random House was not produced in consultation with Gill and not in accordance with the conditions stipulated by Mr. Gibbings of the Golden Cockerel Press. He was also upset that the decorations were not printed from his wood engravings but from photographic reproductions on a smaller scale and without monetary recompense.

Frederic W. Goudy sends Melcher a drawing via his wife as he is laid up with acute indigestion (1919) and he agrees to serve on the Fifty Books Committee to select fifty books for the yearly show of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (1929).

Charles R. Green, Librarian, The Jones Library, Amherst, Massachusetts, chiefly corresponds with Melcher about various aspects of the Robert Frost collection the library is trying to build, including the pursuit of various Frost related items that they lack, a Frost bibliography, Frost chronology and notification of new Frost publications. Occasionally, Green offers Melcher the opportunity to purchase duplicate Frost related items, such as photographs, made available to the library. He also discusses a planned exhibit on the work of Helen Gentry (1939); the purchase of the Robert Frost portrait for the special collection of Robert Frost material in the library (Mar 19, 1942); invitation for Robert Frost's 70th Birthday at the P.E.N. Club Dinner (Mar 13, 1945); request for Melcher to donate some of his material to the library (Jan 17, 21, 1947); honorary degrees given to Frost (May 14, 1947, see list in Box 2); the difference in cost between the American and English Masque of Reason (Dec 24, 1948); request for help in revising their published edition of the Robert Frost Bibliography (Aug 31, 1950; Mar 2, 1955); the Kenyon College Robert Frost celebration (Sep 8, 1950); dedication of the Robert Frost Room (Oct 20, 1958; Oct 27, 1959).

Ralph Green discusses Melcher's comments in Notes on Printing and Graphic Arts concerning Daniel Fowle's press, and lists the possible wooden presses made before 1787, the date of Fowle's death, that may have been exhibited as the Fowle press in the 19th century.

Alfred Harcourt, Henry Holt and Company, tells Melcher, currently working for W.K. Stewart Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, about the visit of Robert Frost who was very pleased with what he had to say about North of Boston and A Boy's Will in The Publisher's Weekly , with a typescript copy of the column (1916); and appreciates his editorial about Harcourt and Carl Sandburg (1953).

"My vote is always for boys and girls."

Thanks Melcher for his letter of commendation for the school.

Discusses the publication of her New Mexico poetry anthology, The Turquoise Trail , and her column "Santa Fe Bookshelf" which appeared in Publisher's Weekly of June 11, 1927 (Jan 2 and Feb 6, 1928); Melcher gives her permission to reprint her column "Santa Fe Bookshelf" (Feb 14, 1928); and notes that both publishers and authors are becoming much more Southwest conscious, citing examples (May 12, 1930).

Plans for their book on Frost to contain mainly critical studies or reviews of particular books (Aug 11, 1937); sends holiday greeting cards containing printed poems of Robert Frost, "Carpe Diem, " and "The Gift Outright " and invites Melcher to both the 70th and 80th birthday celebrations.

Invites Melcher to be a delegate to the White house Conference on Child Health and Protection (1930)

A Japanese couple that Melcher met on a trip to Japan about publishing, with the husband being the president of the Japan Publishers Association and his wife the principal of a private school. They write about how his remarks were well received by Japanese educators, publishers, and book dealers and his pursuit of Whitman material. Also present is a letter from the Japanese translator, Tetsuko K. Suzuki, also the sister-in-law of Mr. Ishii.

Requesting they send her the six volumes of correspondence of George Sand and the Historic de la Dentelle from their last catalog of fine old French books.

James Weldon Johnson regrets he is unable to dine with the Melchers on December 27th because he had already accepted another invitation from Mr. and Mrs. David H. Stevens but asks if he can drop in for a few minutes before starting back to New York.

obert Josephy thanks Melcher for his generous gift and equally generous remarks on Wednesday evening at the Guild party and for his help in his numerous undertakings of the last twenty years.

Harry Kemp (1883-1960) describes his book, The Golden Word , on sale for two dollars through his printer, N. Berstein, "There are five hundred copies and each one is personally inscribed with my autograph and with a poem of mine."

Henry Watson Kent lists the eight hosts for a dinner as himself, Melcher, Silve, Rollins, Rogers, Ruzicka, Cleland, and Warde (1928); and is pleased that Melcher had undertaken the chairmanship of the 500th Anniversary of Printing Committee [1940].

Julius J. Lankes asks which of his woodcuts appeared in Publisher's Weekly and Melcher replies that it was one provided by Doubleday, Page & Company who used the cover for Barren Ground in an advertisement; he also mentions his visit with Robert Frost, who has a display of Lankes prints in his dining room (1925); thanks him for his letter which he will give to the man who issued Virginia Woodcuts ; Lankes also complains about people who order books but then never pay for them (1930). Also included are examples of prints by J.J. Lankes.

Henry Goddard Leach (1880-1970), editor of The Forum suggests that Americans should be re-reading Leaves of Grass , "Re-reading Whitman gives the public a sense of the grandeur of the national as well as the authenticity of the meticulous, and here and there a new national poet might spring into being."

Hopes to meet them soon while she is staying at Wellfleet.

Hugh Lofting on a postcard discusses the League of Nations in Geneva, facetiously stating that he has been trying to get the Animal Kingdom admitted but everyone is too worked up over the Italian-Greek affair that they won't listen to him.

Reports on the progress of H.R. 6990, reintroduced as H.R. 12549.

Found Melcher's, "A Boston Bookstore at the Turn of the Century "fascinating.

Amy Lowell arranges a day for a talk at Montclair, New Jersey, around the dates of her Columbia lectures in New York and the topic, preferring a reading of her poems with explanatory remarks. She later thanks Melcher for his hospitality and the clipping from Publisher's Weekly about her book [ Pictures of the Floating World ?].

Recommends, "For a stimulant, a delight, a book with constant and certain appeal, a book of lasting and perennial charm, an invitation to appreciation of idealism, a constant demonstration of the necessity of balance, a responsive mirror of human nature, give me the book from the pen of that charming, stimulating, revealing, gratitude-provoking Cid Hamlet Benengeli transcribed by Cervantes as "Don Quixote."

Arthur Machen (1863-1947) gives permission to use his article "The Collector's Craft " for a fee of fifteen dollars and expresses his surprise that Hieroglyphics a Note Upon Ecstasy in Literature is doing well in the United States (1923).

Tries to gauge the usefulness of a conference on the Copyright Act (August 21,1943); and appreciates the statement on international aspects of the use of books from Melcher for use in the United Nations conference to be called in London (May 24, 1945).

Asks for two copies of the Lincoln Anthology and one copy of Charles W. Moore's Life of Lincoln .

Expressing the deep regret with which the Board received Melcher's resignation from the Board of Trustees and their deep appreciation for his many services.

John Masefield shares the origin of his verse-speaking festivals, 1928-1931, and the founding of the Scottish Association for the Speaking of Verse around 1922. Melcher shares his memory of taking Nicholas Vachel Lindsay to hear Masefield speak before a club he belonged to in Indiana.

Regrets having to sail for home without meeting with Melcher again.

Frederic G. Melcher sends a form letter posing the question, "What would be your one-book prescription for country-wide 'required' reading for this coming year?" This was sent to a hundred people for their response, and several respondents' correspondence is in this series under their names.

Asking for his participation on the Fifty Books Committee of the American Institute of Graphic Arts.

Mentions Vachel Lindsay's meeting with Hoddard King, a visit to the library, an interview with the press, a visit with the Lindsays to see the baby, all on his first day's visit to Spokane.

H.L. Mencken agrees to speak at the American Booksellers Association luncheon on the topic of the future of the book and Melcher sends several suggestions for avenues to explore. Mencken's five- page typescript carbon for that talk delivered on May 13, 1940, is present with his correspondence (1940): and in two undated notes arranges for the printing of two different articles.

Elliott Merrick ("Bud") writes concerning the harsh winter and the sale of his book, From This Hill (February 10, 1935); says some of his work will appear in Story in December and asks Melcher to write a letter recommending him for a Guggenheim Fellowship (October 28, November 1, 1935); describes writing a book, "It seems to me rather like putting on a diver's helmet and going down to the bottom of the ocean, with no respite for a year except an occasional attack of the bends by way of relaxation" (August 11, [1936]); gives his reaction to the advance copy of R.F.D. sent by Melcher (March 7, [1938?]; describes the good results from his Mohonk trip concerning Frost and Fire and his concern over Melcher's health (September 1939) which turned out to be an attack of appendicitis October 5, [1939]; his trip to Labrador during the summer, purchase of a sailboat and the progress in sales of Northern Nurse (January 4, 1942); describes their vacation stay at the Melchers' at Wellfleet, Massachusetts (August 1, 5, 19, 29, n.y.); and explains his new job as Southeastern Forest Experiment Station editor at Asheville, North Carolina (October 12, n.y.).

Thanks Melcher for his kind words about his Keepsake.

Alan Alexander Milne, from Melcher who shares his experience in Japan with the publisher Mitsuru Ishii and his wife, who had seen their school and home destroyed by incendiaries during World War II. Mr. Ishii lost his entire collection of 10,000 books, and Mrs. Suzuki, about 1,000 children's books but she did manage to save one because it was hidden in a dugout in the school yard. It was the Methuen edition of When We Were Very Young . Milne says that he wrote to Mrs. Suzuki and discusses his work used in Japanese school books. He also talks about his son's career at Cambridge in a news clipping mentioned by Melcher. (1947). Melcher then wrote Milne in 1953, telling Milne that he related the same story at a convention of children's librarians who then asked him to read "The King's Breakfast. " This became a tradition with Melcher telling the story and reading "The King's Breakfast" to the librarians every year.

legislation in Congress to provide real copyright protection for American authors abroad, and her problem with the Dutch courts (1939). She also thanks Melcher for sending her the Publisher's Weekly story, "Dutch Court Gives Ruling in Mitchell Case" (1941).

Harriet Monroe regrets that she is unable to attend the Robert Frost birthday dinner but she wishes to be counted as present in spirit. She sends her greetings to Frost, "May he live long and prosper- and keep on good terms with his muse!"

Helen M. Moody, a former pupil of Robert Frost's at Pinkerton Academy, to Mr. Thompson, writes that she is willing to be interviewed about Frost and also suggests that he talk to Miss Sylvia Clark, who was also a teacher at the Academy. See also her note about Frost in Box 3.

Christopher Morley sends a copy of a speech (not present) he has written for "Roger Mifflin" at the convention to be delivered by Cedric Crowell impersonating Mifflin (1920); returns a completed questionnaire, "Who's Who Among Living American Authors?" to Publishers Weekly (July 5, 1921); book sales concerning The Haunted Bookshop (August 5 & 8, 1921); Melcher discusses the drawbacks of a bibliography, "Booksellers' Reference Library" and mentions he is to be the director of the bookselling course at Columbia University next summer (November 27, 1926); requests Melcher to join as a member and investor in The Foundry on River Street Hoboken, hoping to create a "permanent Cheshire Cheese sort of place," with a printed prospectus (April 15 & 19, 1930); to Ted McCawley, discusses and supplies a list of additional suggestions for the White House Collection (July 12, 1934); mention of the success of Kitty Foyle and the news that Frank Henry is resigning from Lippincotts at the end of the year (December 7 & 11, 1939); congratulates Melcher on the appearance of the new Publishers' Weekly (August 14, 1942); and discusses at length his opposition to the autographing of books by the author, especially in war-time due to the cost and trouble to the author mailing the books back to the purchaser (January 7, 1943).

Kathleen Morrison and Theodore Morrison mention an article about Robert Frost in the Scholastic Magazine which may have a new photograph of Frost and that Frost has just left on a trip to Iowa and Utah (April 3 & 8, 1940); Melcher agrees to speak at the Breadloaf Conference and discusses the relationship of Robert Frost and his publishers (August 14 & 23, 1948); they mention that Robert Frost is concerned about the sale of one of his books with his poem, "Closed for Good" written out, presumably by a friend, as he has learned his lesson about writing out long poems for strangers (November 7, 1949); and Melcher mentions his investigation of Mr. Kauti and his background on Frost's behalf (October 1, 1952).

Discusses the upcoming auction of Twilight by Robert Frost and his hopes that Dartmouth can secure the book (December 4, 1950); asks Melcher if he hasn't got some article or note on some aspect of printing or the book trade, suitable for Printing and Graphic Arts (1957).

Scott Nearing responds to a form letter from Melcher posing the question, "What would be your one-book prescription for country-wide 'required' reading for this coming year?" with Rajani Palme Dutt's book, Fascism and Social Revolution.

W.A. Neilson responds to a form letter from Melcher posing the question, "What would be your one-book prescription for country-wide 'required' reading for this coming year?" with A Primer for Tomorrow by Dean Christian Gauss.

obert S. Newdick, professor at Ohio State University, reports on his wonderful four-day visit with Robert Frost and his wife, both of whom promised assistance with his full-length biography. For his bibliography of Frost, he has joined forces with Mr. Green and Mr. Clymer (September 30, 1935). Melcher helps with questions about one of Frost's poems about shoes, one smelling of Atlantic salt and the other Pacific salt and an anecdote concerning the same poem and T.S. Eliot (December 12 & 16, 1935); Melcher warns Newdick to proceed slowly because both Frosts "have a way of backing away from the responsibility of digging up material from the past" (December 26, 1935; January 3 & 9, 1936); complaints about the style, quantity, and accuracy of Clymer and Green's contributions to the Frost bibliography about which Melcher agrees that Newdick should proceed on his own (January 27, 1936; February 3 & 25, 1936; March 4, 1936); reports on Frost's appearance and reception at Ohio State University and his invitation for Newdick to visit him during the summer (May 25, 1936); Melcher asks for copies of all Newdick's articles about Frost (July 7, 1936); describes his work on articles about Frost, including one on exhibitions and bibliographies of the work of Robert Frost, mentioning Melcher's own checklist in Publishers' Weekly and the fuller descriptions in The Colophon (July 29, 1936); discusses the idea of publishing the prose work of Robert Frost (July 29, August 3 & 5, 1936); questions about whether he should do a biography of Frost for Oxford University Press (November 23, 30, 1937; March 4, 7, 9, 10, 1938); and asks for help on a possible paper about the various types of Frost inscriptions in books (September 15, 19, October 2, 21).

A. Edward Newton discusses one second-hand bookstore owner in Indianapolis who does not allow anyone to browse in his store, but asks if you need a particular book which he then retrieves for the customer (Apr 20-21, 1922); and sends an advertisement request to Publishers' Weekly for a book, Thomas Hardy- Novelist or Poet ? The proceeds from the sale of the book are forwarded to a committee in England in charge of erecting a monument to Thomas Hardy (August 15, 24, 1929).

Meredith Nicholson asks Melcher to send Mr. Jackson copies of some of his works (May 18, 1916); misses Melcher since he left Indianapolis; saw Stewart, of the W.K. Stewart Company, who did not appear bitter about Melcher leaving Indianapolis; and mentions his book The Valley of Democracy and his work for Scribners (August 21, 1918); discusses his war work and Matthew's review in the newspaper about his writing (September 16, 1918); mention of his work on Indiana, his book And They Lived Happily Ever After and a prospective book on Andrew Jackson (1925 November 12, 16, 23, 27).

Edward J. O'Brien asks Melcher's opinion about his transcript short story selection this year, because he wants to "make the American public sufficiently self conscious, so that those whose stories have qualities of straightforwardness and direct plot might be encouraged to stop writing down rather than up to the level."

Joseph Pennell proposes "The Wonder of Work in War Time" as the subject of his talk (November 2, 1917); and in most of his correspondence, discusses the Kelmscott Chaucer and the comments of Mr. Hopkins, a New York bookseller, about it (October 6, 7, 16, 18, 20, 29; November 1, 5, 1922)

Comments on the White House library book list and makes his own recommendations (1934 July 6; January 10, 1935).

William Lyon Phelps cannot accept his invitation for that day (January 3, 1921); and sends his eliminations and additions to the White House library book list (July 2, 1934).

Ezra Pound refers to an article in the Publishers' Weekly on censorship and gives his own views on the subject and characterizes the current copyright law as dishonest (May 11, September 6, 1927); responds to a printed note claiming that he acted as an agent for James Joyce with Samuel Roth and his magazine The Two Worlds Monthly (August 6, September 26, 1927); and contributes a paragraph to be published in the Publishers' Weekly protesting the support of magazine publishers for the current copyright law as opposed to the new one proposed by Mr. Vestal, which he feels would be fairer to authors (October 12, 1927).

ohn Barnes Pratt thanks Melcher for his review of A.S. Barnes and Company on its 100th Anniversary, his friendship, and his efforts on building up the Publishers' Weekly to a "wonderful journal of publishing."

Herbert Putnam, Library of Congress, appreciates Melcher's note in the Publishers' Weekly concerning himself and the need for professional standards in library work (December 3, [1939]) and his presence and remarks at the luncheon (April 12, 1949).

Bruce Rogers discusses inaccuracies in The Bookman's Glossary (May 7, 8, 1925); the use of Mrs. Florence Wyman Ivins' portrait of him for an article by Carl Rollins (October 19, November 9, 11, December 2, 1925); questions about subscriptions to the Publishers' Weekly and The Bookman's Journal (December 2, 1925); his opinion of Thomas James Cobden-Sanderson, which aside from the craftsmanship of his bindings, was not a high one, especially concerning his destruction of Sir Emery Walker's property in the Doves Press types; his preference for Jessie Willcox Smith to Arthur Rackham as a children's illustrator, "Rackham is too sentimental and is really for grown-ups- the child wants something simpler... J.W.S. supplies this (however badly, at times) while Rackham furnishes the poetry, all ready-made- he's good at that, of course, but best in his simple head- & tail-pieces- too much 'art' in the others- for children" (October 20, 1926). Bruce Rogers also asks Melcher not to discuss his proposed Prayer Book in Publishers' Weekly at this time (May 20, 1927); encloses [Will] Ransom's article on himself and expresses his appreciation of the entire series of articles done by him (May 3, 1928); mentions Carl Rollins review of The Book of Psalms and a check-list by Alice Lerch (June 18, 20, 1928); thanks Melcher for his subscription to The Odyssey , a new translation by T.E. Lawrence, published by Sir Emery Walker, Wilfred Merton, and Bruce Rogers from Monotype Centaur Type, and asks that an advertisement for the book be placed in Publishers' Weekly (October 8, November 22, 1932); encloses an interview by Bruce Rogers about his work on exhibit at the New York Public Library ([January?] 2, 1954; May 19, 1955); discusses his plans for the October House Classics, with an advance notice and description of the first book, Life of Saint George (March 27, 30, May 26, June 8, 1956); mails a notice that his grand-daughter will begin to sell books of his making (December 31, 1956; January 21, 24, 1957); and includes a brochure, A Remembrance of Bruce Rogers A Gentle Man From Indiana, prepared for friends of Philip and Fanny Duschnes (December 1957).

Carl Sandburg, Chicago Daily News stationery, sends a letter of introduction for Martha Cochran of New Rochelle (September 7, 1926); and thanks for the volume of Edward Channing's History of the United States with a request for his copy of The Confusion of Tongues (May 11, 17, 1929). Also present is a lengthy typescript review about Carl Sandburg and his work by Clement K. Shorter which appeared in The Sphere , London (July 29, 1918).

She would love to attend the dinner, but cannot due to the fact that her husband is now in the hospital in England and she must leave earlier than planned.

Ellery Sedgwick, The Atlantic Monthly , asks if he knows any librarians or book critics, further west than Cleveland, to use as a consultant occasionally and mentions Parker material that they hope to publish (March 12, 1919) and discusses their plans for a new bookroom to retail their own publications (September 3, 1920).

Elizabeth Shepley Sergeant informs Melcher that she is writing a biography about Robert Frost, focusing on the poetry itself, for Henry Holt and Company. She notes that her friendship with the Frosts dates to 1924 when she first wrote about him in The New Republic and asks Melcher if she could talk with him about Robert Frost at his convenience (February 14, 15, 1956); sends a detailed list of Robert Frost material left with Sergeant by Frederic Melcher on March 10, 1956 (March 21, 1956); asks about the possible location of various files concerning Frost that were removed from the Holt records by various editors or managers before they came to the Princeton Library and the biographical material assembled by Robert S. Newdick (May 27, 31, 1956); writes about the completion and upcoming publication of Robert Frost: The Trial by Existence (September 11, 15, 1959; February 25, March 4, 8, 1960); apologizes that she has mislaid The Mountaineer , January 13, 1928, which she hopes to find (April 29, May 3, 9, 13, 1960; January 3, 6, 1961); and asks permission to send copies of Melcher's letters and Frost material with her files to the University of Virginia Barrett Library which Melcher declines (February 20, 23, 1961).

All about possible books pertaining to Icelandic mythology, discovery and exploration, biographies, biology or botany, etc. that they could sell at a bookstall in the Iceland building at the World's Fair in New York.

"As to length I venture to suggest that my ignorance will seem just as appalling in fifteen minutes as it will in an hour." He also thanks him for his kind words about Honk the Moose .

Sends his third "Word from London " article to the Publishers' Weekly ; tells an anecdote about Edgar Wallace and mentions his book, The Calendar about horse-racing (October 3, November 19, 1929); and hopes to meet him while Melcher is on his trip to England (May 7, 1931).

Lawrance Thompson, recently out of the Navy, asks Melcher for his help in gathering materials for his biography of Robert Frost, and mentions living in one of Frost's many farmhouses in Vermont at Ripton while he spent time with Frost who described the experience as "walking around the story of my life" (October 10, 1946); Melcher mentions the collection of Charles R. Green and the records made by Columbia University of Robert Frost reading his poetry (October 14, 1946); Thompson agrees as to the importance of preserving the prose of Robert Frost because he fears that Frost will never get around to doing anything about it, particularly the Charles Eliot Norton lectures (October 17, 21, 1946); promises to bring Melcher some items for his collection and finds his information about August Gehrs' recollections on the sale of North of Boston most interesting (November 5, 7, 1946); and supplies gossip about the title of Frost's next book (November 12, 15, 1946). He especially appreciates the use of Melcher's copy of Rural America because it contains Frost's article "Poetry and the Rural Life." Thompson feels that this article "is his own careful statement that he isn't trying to get everybody back to the farm; he is merely trying to get people to realize the importance of being themselves, and cultivating an Emersonian self-reliance, and by analogy the farm offers a symbol of the kind of withdrawal-from-society in order to get time to strengthen self and create produce for the open market." He also expresses concern about the preservation of original documents, sharing how two of the persons he contacted about Frost letters had lost them to fire (December 2, 1946). Thompson thanks Melcher for letting him read the Frost-Melcher correspondence and the excerpt from Publishers' Weekly for January 22, 1916 about Frost and for all of his additional help on his biography (January 4, 194[7?]); sends a list of detailed questions generated by looking at Melcher's material on Frost which Melcher attempts to answer point by point before going on his trip to Japan in the interest of copyright treaty drafting (February 3, 4, 1947).

"I value him as a friend and I admire his poetry extremely. His light seems to me one of the most authentic among living poets. Everything he writes interests me. I admire equally too, his spiritual honesty and solid sincerity."

Ten suggestions for the White House library (June 26, 1934); the pen portrait in the January 17th issue of Publishers' Weekly about his 48 years of publishing, Ben, Houghton Mifflin Company (January 26, 1948); British publisher, [George?] Allen, expresses an appreciation for Melcher's contributions to the world of books, reflection on his own third of a century in publishing and enjoyment of the occasion honoring him (June 8, n.y.).

Sir Stanley Unwin (1884-1968), George Allen and Unwin Ltd. agrees to accept Melcher's son, Daniel, as a volunteer in his office with the warning that he will arrive at very busy time in their organization; mentions other European publishers where he could volunteer; and mentions the copyright bill in Congress (August 23, 1934; March 18, 1935); and he discusses his Knighthood and his work on behalf of the National Book Council (January 28, 1946).

Mentions examples from his press illustrating the good type of work done there (January 13, 1915); discusses Mr. Benton's paper on Baskerville, The Life of Baskerville by Strauss, and the Bibliography of Baskerville published by the Baskerville Club (January 15, 1915); appreciates the kind words about The Merrymount Press in Publishers' Weekly (September 7, 1925); Melcher expresses his pleasure at a gift of a volume from the Humanist Library (April 1, 1927); appreciates the dinner given for him at the University Club (May 8, 12, 23, 1928); feels incapable of speaking gracefully or well at a presentation of an award to Mr. Kent (December 28, 1929); agrees to sit for a photograph by Mrs. Ullman, but he doesn't like to have his photograph taken (November 18, 1930); refuses to speak before the American Institute of Graphic Arts (February 20, 1931); and thanks Melcher for his "very handsome editorial" in the Publishers' Weekly of March 23rd (March 26, 1940).

Discusses the suspicion of the foreigner in America (May 30, 1922); and his book written for the Book Fair ([June] 15, 1937).

Dorothy M. Vaughan, Librarian, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, writes concerning an oil painting of the ship Frank Jones , which she suggests that Melcher may wish to purchase for the library as a memorial to the Melcher family of Portsmouth. She also tells of finding a newspaper account of the Franklin statue dedication held in Boston in 1856 which mentions that the old Melcher press was sent up for the occasion. She believes this proves that the old John Melcher press belonged to Benjamin Franklin.