There were many other eminent publishers that lack of space compels us to omit. And as for authors who became famous, Robert Louis Stevenson issued the SUNBEAM MAGAZINE when 16; Frank Baum who wrote “The Wizard of Oz” published the HOME JOURNAL in 1868; and Walter Pritchard, New York theatre critic, and author of numerous books on the drama, joined the amateur ranks at 12.
According to Mr. Spencer, amateur journalism still exists and continues to hold a fascination for many youths of today. From the speculative standpoint, however, there is at present no active demand for an oldtime collection thereof, although probably some individual with an ample purse and a nostalgia for youth, would be happy to possess one, and pay well for it. But who and where he is, it will take a wiser person than the editor of this publication, to identify.
Collectors of this interesting phase of Americana, will look forward with pleasurable anticipation to the publication of a book entitled “History of Amateur Journalism,” on which Truman J. Spencer has been working for years. The outline of contents will comprise, DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION ... THE PIONEERS ... EXCHANGING AND ORGANIZING ... THE NATIONAL AMATEUR PRESS ASSOCIATION ... RIVAL ORGANIZATIONS ... SECTIONAL AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ... LITERATURE AND BOOKS ... THE FOSSILS ... APPENDIX. Full information as to the date of publication, price, etc., can be obtained by writing to Truman J. Spencer, 2525 Whitney Ave., Hamden, Conn.
The famous rooming house at 61 Washington Square, N. Y., conducted for more than fifty years by Mme. Katherine Branchard, and since her decease in 1937, by her daughter-in-law, is no more. During their years of struggle it was a haven of repose for Willa Cather, Frank Norris, Gelett Burgess, Theodore Dreiser and Adelina Patti. After their departure from the Branchard House, which incidentally is over 100 years old, they wrote her letters from all parts of the world, and these should produce some good autographic material.
Mrs. Adelaide M. Faron, of the Walt Whitman Society of America, and Librarian of the Hempstead Library, Hempstead, Long Island, N. Y., recently held at the Adelphia College, Garden City, N. Y., an exhibition of rare items and newly discovered manuscripts pertaining to the “good gray poet”.
Here is a little good advice from that past master of sheet music knowledge, Wm. McDevitt, 2079 Sutter St., San Francisco. In his very entertaining monthly called BOOK-COLLECTING (50 cents a year) he says:—“In buying first editions of old songs, you will be safer in most cases if the sheet music doesn’t contain ads on the back cover; you will generally do well to distrust copies with the copyright line on front apparently worn out with repeated printings.”
The large mass of propaganda from both foreign and domestic pressure groups is being collected and classified by the Carnegie Library of Washington and the Washington and Lee University of Lexington, Va.
The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C., has acquired a collection of photographs of real Wild West Indians, made by John K. Hillers, 66 years ago.
