University of Virginia Library
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library© 1997 By the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. All rights reserved.
Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Processed by: Special Collections Department Staff
Collection is open to research.
See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.
Booth Tarkington Collection, Accession 7416-f, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library
Purchase [ 1971 Jul 14 ] 1971 Aug 5
Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities
[Expresses appreciation for Riley's poem and its dedication to himself; attributes his becoming a writer to Riley's influence; states that only his feeling that his books did not meet Riley's critical standards prevents him dedicating one to him.]
[Thanks Riley for an inscribed set of his collected works; writes that he will take them to Paris when he returns; compares the sensation of seeing such a handsome edition of a writer's work to that of an artist seeing all his paintings "well hung in some handsome gallery.]
[Writes on behalf of the Managers of the Indianapolis Orphans Asylum to ask for financial support; describes the plight of the orphanage whose support has been cut by the General Assembly; hopes the citizens of Indianapolis will help or the children must be "turned out."]
[Expresses appreciation for his tribute to the "Old Glee Club" in The Reader ; thanks him for contribution and for friendship in a time of grief.]
[Feels greatly honored that his name will live on in Riley's book; writes it is a comforting thought as he is unsure of the worth of his own books.]
[Requests inscription for photograph for Booth Tarkington to hang by his desk.]
[Writes that he has learned from Cushing that Riley is from Boone, Indiana and wonders if his absence is explained by a trip to Boone . ]
[Expresses pleasure over recent visit; outlines plan for a small party to celebrate the hanging of Riley's portrait by [Wayman ?] Adams in the Tarkingtons' home; suggests inviting Mrs. Holstein, whose relief portrait of Riley he praises, Ed Howland , Hewitt Howland and their father, Carl McCullock , M. D.; discusses the merits of portraits of Riley by Sargent, Steele, and especially one by Adams.]
[Describes reading " The Black People " to an invalid who liked everything except the conclusion; encloses last photograph of the deceased Gamin.]
[Thanks him for "the beautiful Lockerbie Book."]
[Thanks him for praise of his work " The Flirt "; recalls his admiration, since boyhood, of Riley as creator and critic.]
[Thanks him for gift of candy, saying Linda [Tarkington] is "placated" for his absence while visiting Riley; she disclaims that statement and thanks him for the candy.]
[Describes vacation in Maine , improvement in Booth Tarkington 's health, visit of Haute, Donald and his nurse; discusses complications of feeding and housing such a diverse group; comments on Donald's remarkable recovery and Ovid's return; mentions plan to go to New York and Princeton before returning home; notes her pleasure reading " Bag and Baggage " and the " Lockerbie pieces . "]
[Thanks him for praise and grapefruit; describes conflict between Italian officer and German captain on a ship; comments on Riley's improved health; writes that work on Harper's series prevented travel; outlines Penrod story to appear in Metropolitan and describes movie written for Jimmy Hackett to be filmed in Paris.]
[Regrets departure for Maine before Riley's return to Indiana ; describes Booth Tarkington 's good health and their expectation of staying in Maine until November.]
[Invites him to a formal dinner with Mr. B., Mr. Doubleday and the "home-folks."]
[Expects him at [The University] Club later in the day; write they will be joined by Stoker, Dr. Hays, and Laurence Irving . ]
[Provides recipe for a fruit drink; sends 2 tumblers, lemons, and oranges; writes that the concoction will put him "knee deep in July"; suggests sharing with Bob Geiger 's "Lizzie."]
[Thanks him for the package containing " The Raggedy Man " for Laurel and " The Boys of the Old Glee Club " for herself.]
[Written on verso: "Surf at Kennebunkport . ]
[Caption: "The most [illegible] Old Man."]
[Written on verso: "Sunset Rock -On the river."]
[Written on verso: "One of the many beautiful coves by the shore."]