Schriftsteller und Arzt (1809-1894). Autograph quotation signed (“Oliver Wendell Holmes”), Boston. 4to. 1 p.
$ 1,607 / 1.500 €
(80466)
Holmes quotes from his poem The Chambered Nautilus (in full): „Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul, As the swift seasons roll! Leave thy low-vaulted past! Let each new temple, nobler than the last, Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast,Till thou at length are free, Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea! Oliver Wendell Holmes Boston, Feb, 14th 1866.“ The chambered nautilus is the title and subject of a poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes, in which he admires the "ship of pearl" and the "silent toil/That spread his lustrous coil/Still, as the spiral grew/He left the past year's dwelling for the new." He finds in the mysterious life and death of the nautilus strong inspiration for his own life and spiritual growth.
Oliver Wendell Holmes was an American physician, poet, and polymath based in Boston. A member of the Fireside Poets, he was acclaimed by his peers as one of the best writers of the day. His most famous prose works are the "Breakfast-Table" series, which began with The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table (1858). He was also an important medical reformer. In addition to his work as an author and poet, Holmes also served as a physician, professor, lecturer and inventor and, although he never practiced it, he received formal training in law..
American physician, poet, and polymath (1809-1894). Autograph letter signed. 296 Beacon St., [Boston]. 29.09.1877. 8vo. 1½ pp. on bifolium. With cabinet photograph.
$ 911 / 850 €
(77458/BN49894)
To the eminent American botanist Asa Gray (1810-88), a friend of Darwin's: "I am very much disappointed in not being able to come to the Club today. The day after getting back to Boston I was taken with a very severe cold which entirely unfits me for company. I had hoped to meet you and tell you how greatly I regretted that I could not be with you and your distinguished companions [...] and to have a good talk with you and some others of my friends who I hope will be at the Club [...]". A member of New England's "Fireside Poets", Holmes was acclaimed by his peers as one of the best writers of his day.
He was also an important medical reformer. His like-named son remains one of the most widely cited Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States..
American physician, poet, and polymath (1809-1894). Autograph letter signed. Beverly Farms (Massachusetts). Small 8vo. 1½ pp. on bifolium.
$ 911 / 850 €
(82830/BN54172)
Apologizing to an unnamed recipient for being unable to answer his questions: "I regret that I am unable to attend to the numerous questions which are asked by my correspondents and which it would take all my time to answer". - Traces of folds. Minimally stained. With collector's notes in pencil.