MARY MAPES DODGE Aleph-Bet Books
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MARY MAPES DODGE A Collection of Books and Other Material from her Personal Library See Page 3 Highlights Bronze sculpture of Mary Mapes Dodge by Samuel Murray Aleph-Bet Books Helen & Marc Younger 85 Old Mill River Rd Pound Ridge, NY 10576 Phone: (914)764-7410 Fax: (914)764-1356 email: [email protected] 914.764.7410 Pg 2 Aleph-Bet Books - Mary Mapes Dodge Collection A FASCINATING MARY MAPES DODGE COLLECTION BACKGROUND: Mary Mapes Dodge was a major force in American literature and one of the most influential literary figures of the latter half of the 19th century until her death in 1905. If you applied “six degrees of separation” to literary figures of the time, all roads would lead back to her. She was forward thinking, a feminist and a pioneer in a male dominated world. While a poet and novelist, she is best known as the author of the young adult novel Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates as well as a founding editor of St. Nicholas Magazine for children (1873) published by Scribner’s (and in 1881 by The Century Co.). In fact she chose the name. She insisted on high standards vowing that St. Nicholas would never publish dull stories with the moral overtones of other children’s periodicals. Her vision was to not condescend to children, offering fine, well printed art and stimulating prose and poems for children of all ages. Dodge began her career as an editor and her talent in this field was soon recognized and sought after. Between her editorial contacts and her broad circle of literary friends, she was able to contact the important literary figures to ask them to contribute to St. Nicholas. These included authors of childrens books and authors known for their adult work. The list is long, but a few of the notables she successfully recruited to contribute work include: Louisa May Alcott, Mark Twain, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Rudyard Kipling, Laura Richards, Kate Douglas Wiggin, Carolyn Wells, Bret Harte, Frank Stockton, Robert Louis Stevenson (whom she met when he was an associate editor at Scribner’s Magazine) and many others. In order to encourage children in writing and other arts, she helped to develop a separate department in St. Nicholas called the St. Nicholas League. It offered cash prizes for the best work in all fields submitted by children. Many winners went on to be noted authors or artists whose work was published for the first time in the magazine, some of whom are F. Scott Fitzgerald, Edna St. Vincent Millay, E.B. White, Peggy Bacon, Kay Boyle and many others. Dodge was also responsible for selecting the artists for the magazine and in this capacity she was in touch with many artists including a young Howard Pyle, Reginald Birch, Peter Newell, Oliver Herford, Palmer Cox, Frederic Remington and John Sartain ( a friend of Edgar Allan Poe). Due to her talent as a skillful editor, her non confrontational manner and her generous, encouraging support, many of those whose work she published became personal friends. Her friendship with Harriet Beecher Stowe began when they both worked at Hearth and Home magazine. Although their styles were very different, they had much in common, including that both were ardent feminists. She met Frank Stockton before the first issue of St. Nicholas was published and he became an associate editor at the magazine as well as a contributor. She recruited Rudyard Kipling to contribute, and they became lifelong friends. She met Noah Brooks through their mutual friend Bret Harte, and she corresponded actively with Celia Thaxter, who provided a poem in the first issue and who helped to bring John Greenleaf Whittier into the fold. Others in her circle were Ralph Waldo Emerson, Julia Ward Howe, “H.H.”- Helen Hunt Jackson (author of Ramona and a close associate of Emily Dickinson), Robert Dale Owen, Alice Cary, John Greenleaf Whittier, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the playwright Brander Matthews, John Burroughs, Laurence Hutton (editor of Harper’s Magazine), Lucretia Hale and even Helen Keller who had two poems published in St. Nicholas. By attending many literary receptions, clubs and salons she broadened her scope even more. The list of those in her circle includes too many people to list here but it is clear that she was connected and a central figure in American literature. THE COLLECTION: This collection of Mary Mapes Dodge material represents much of the American literary world of the latter part of the 19th century. Themes of women’s rights and anti slavery run through the collection. A picture of Dodge emerges as a good friend and / or because of her importance and influence in the publishing world, as someone the poets and authors of the day wanted to impress. Most of the books are by poets and literary figures some of whose work was notable in the era, but is less known today. Taken as a whole, the collection offers a fascinating look at a particular, productive era in literary history. Helen & Marc Younger Pg 3 [email protected] OVERVIEW: The collection includes over 113 items: 107 books, the majority of which are personally inscribed to Dodge by the authors or they are signed by the authors or signed by Dodge. Many of the inscriptions are lengthy, revealing genuine admiration and gratitude to Dodge There are first editions of some of her books including two first editions of Hans Brinker. The majority of the books are first editions in very good condition. 2 letters, one from Dodge and one from Celia Thaxter. French Manuscript 1761 Bronze figure of Dodge by noted sculptor Samuel Murray Plaster portrait of Dodge in original shadowbox frame Box of ephemera A FEW HIGHLIGHTS THAXTER, CELIA. POEMS (1882 new and enlarged edition). This copy has 32 ORIGINAL WATERCOLORS BY THAXTER spread throughout the book. There are delicate small insects , fields of flowers, small scenes, small flowers and larger flowers which are superimposed upon the text. The colors are rich and fresh, the pictures are exquisite and detailed. Inscribed “Mary Mapes Dodge with much love. Illustrated by Celia Thaxter 1882.” Thaxter was a new England artist and poet whose work was first published in Atlantic Magazine. Her poem Under the Lighthouse was published in St. Nicholas as were others. She knew all of prominent literary figures of the day including Longfellow, Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Greenleaf Whittier, Sarah Orne Jewett and more. (SEE PHOTOS PAGE 4) THAXTER, CELIA. LETTER TO MARY MAPES DODGE dated “ Appledore June 19th 1875. My dear Mrs. Dodge, I am delighted to have your picture! And every body says with me ‘why she looks like a girl of nineteen.’ Do you know what I thought you were like? Well do let me tell you. I thought you were large & round & middle aged, with a face like the full moon, benevolent & benign: and methought you had many soft white silver curls about your countenance & were generally mild and matter of fact in your appearance. This large-eyed, Eastern creature, this Oriental, this Persian girl upsets all my preconceived notions of the mother of St. Nicholas! You should have the band - roll(?) Strung with tomans - “ you should have gold coins glittering around your dark hair, & a Greek jacket - you are no Yankee woman! I am so glad to see you! And whether you are troubled with longings after the Infinite (?) Or no, you are handsome & you are no kind of judge! You would want the Curlew - not the other, Nikolina, and am a little doubtful if this latter reached you. - did it, do you know? Because I would like to use it elsewhere if you don’t want it. [Nikolina was published in St. Nicholas in 1875]. Do pardon me for following you into your precious leisure by “talk shop” - I won’t do it again! I sent Nikolina before the Curlew and have not heard from it. I hope you will gain all sorts of delightful things in your holiday & with love I am Sincerely yours Celia Thaxter.” ( a section of the letter may be missing). (SEE PHOTOS PAGE 4 BRONZE SCULPTURE OF DODGE BY SAMUEL MURRAY. - This is a particularly attractive bronze sculpture of Dodge grandly sitting in a chair done by Murray in 1905. The rectangular base is 13” wide by 11” and it is 14” high, signed by Murray. Murray was a close friend of Thomas Eakins’. That friendship began when Murray was Eakins’ student at the Art Student’s League of Philadelphia. He went on to share a studio with Eakins. At age 21, Murray began a lifelong position as an instructor and lecturer at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, now the Moore Collect of Art. (SEE PHOTOS FRONT COVER) 914.764.7410 Pg 4 Aleph-Bet Books - Mary Mapes Dodge Collection See Page 3 Highlights This page of illustrations is for Celia Thaxter Poems and the Celia Thaxter Letter to Dodge See Page 3 Highlights Thaxter letter to Dodge Helen & Marc Younger Pg 5 [email protected] See Page 6 Highlights This page of illustrations is for the 1761 French manuscript presented to Dodge by Theo. Low DeVinne 914.764.7410 Pg 6 Aleph-Bet Books - Mary Mapes Dodge Collection PLASTER SILHOUETTE OF DODGE in original oval wooden shadow box frame. The image measures 14” long x 10” wide framed to 26” long x 23” wide. (SEE PHOTO PAGE 21) FRENCH MANUSCRIPT 1761 - Presented to Dodge by Theo. Low DeVinne, the highly regarded printer of that era and the printer for St. Nicholas Magazine. Inscribed on a printed card “To Mrs. M. M. Dodge With Christmas Greetings of Messrs.