LOWELL, James Russell — AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT SIGNED (AMS) with Partial Manuscripts
On a 3-1/2" x 6" sheet of paper Lowell has written out his poem “A[n] Epigram on Certain Conservatives,” and SIGNED it below with his initials and a closing: "So, ending with a piece of/nonsense for a stopgap/I remain yours as always/J.R.L." On the verso is the first stanza of another poem, "Now Is Always Best," which begins, "Dreamy river of the Past," as well as partial lines from a third poem that have been trimmed off. Both titled poems were published in Lowell's UNCOLLECTED POEMS having been first published in THE BROADWAY JOURNAL in 1845. There are minor changes from the published version. This piece sold at Anderson Galleries in 1920. Housed in a brown cloth chemise and brown half morocco slipcase gilt-lettered on the spine. A[n] Epigram on Certain Conservatives In olden days mens’ ears were docked For thinking & for other crimes; And now some worthies, overstocked In those commodities, are shocked At the false mercy of the times Which spoils their chance of being shortened In their own feature most important. . Mounting on verso obscures a few letters. Very Good in a Fine slipcase
