Eight Letters to Edward D. Tubbs (with secretarial signatures)
Typed one-page letters, dated between 1937 and 1942. All were signed for Carver by his secretary (initialed H or A). Generally creased from having been folded to fit into envelopes, and slightly browned in places. All of the original envelopes, in somewhat browned condition, are included. Nos. 1 and 3 are on 22cm. x 19cm. sheets; the others are on 22cm. x 28cm. sheets. No. 1 is on letterhead stationery of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute; nos. 2-6 on that of Tuskegee Institute; nos. 7-8 on that of The George Washington Carver Foundation. Tubbs apparently worked at the Drakeford Greenhouses at Tuskegee during the late 1930s, but after leaving, in late 1938, continued correspondence with Carver until the latter's death.. Here is a brief summary of the letters: (1) Dated May 19,1937. Carver thanks Tubbs for a pot of petunias that he has sent, compares them with gloxinias, and tells him of upcoming travel-plans; (2) Dated October 13, 1937. Carver thanks Tubbs for a bouquet that he has sent, praising its harmony of design and the dahlias it includes; (3) Dated November 29, 1937. Carver thanks Tubbs for his Thanksgiving greeting and for a boutonniere bouquet that he has sent; (4) Dated June 24, 1938. Carver tells Tubbs that his health has been improving and that he expects to soon be able to go out for a while each day, then comments on a huge hydrangea that someone has sent him, and on some caladiums; (5) Dated January 24, 1939. Carver sends belated Christmas greetings, comments on his improving health, discusses the moving of laboratory and museum facilities into a new building, and mentions a white amaryllis that Tubbs had given him; (6) Dated January 7, 1941. Carver tells Tubbs that he has named the white amaryllis the Tubbs Amaryllis and that his health has been improving; (7) Dated January 2, 1942. Tells Tubbs of the death of some friends and mentions that the amaryllis is budding; and (8) Dated December 17, 1942. Carver tells Tubbs (who is now Pvt. Tubbs) that he has not been well for a long while and can walk only short distances with a lot of resting along the way, then notes that the war has changed things at Tuskegee, "as everything is military and aviation." All in all, these letters, at times genuinely poetic, provide a charming glimpse of Carver and his kind interest in Mr. Tubbs. Very Good. Item #36888
Price: $1,250.00