Booth Tarkington Collection 1907-1914

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred citation:

Booth Tarkington Collection, Accession 7416-f, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Summary

Creator:
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Booth Tarkington Collection, Accession 7416-f, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Background

Scope and content:

[Expresses appreciation for Riley's poem and its dedication to himself; attributes his becoming a writer to Riley's influence; states that only his feeling that his books did not meet Riley's critical standards prevents him dedicating one to him.]

[Thanks Riley for an inscribed set of his collected works; writes that he will take them to Pariswhen he returns; compares the sensation of seeing such a handsome edition of a writer's work to that of an artist seeing all his paintings "well hung in some handsome gallery.]

[Writes on behalf of the Managers of the Indianapolis Orphans Asylumto ask for financial support; describes the plight of the orphanage whose support has been cut by the General Assembly; hopes the citizens of Indianapoliswill help or the children must be "turned out."]

[Expresses appreciation for his tribute to the "Old Glee Club" in The Reader; thanks him for contribution and for friendship in a time of grief.]

[Feels greatly honored that his name will live on in Riley's book; writes it is a comforting thought as he is unsure of the worth of his own books.]

[Requests inscription for photograph for Booth Tarkingtonto hang by his desk.]

[Writes that he has learned from Cushing that Riley is from Boone, Indianaand wonders if his absence is explained by a trip to Boone. ]

[Expresses pleasure over recent visit; outlines plan for a small party to celebrate the hanging of Riley's portrait by [Wayman ?] Adamsin the Tarkingtons' home; suggests inviting Mrs. Holstein, whose relief portrait of Riley he praises, Ed Howland, Hewitt Howlandand their father, Carl McCullock, M. D.; discusses the merits of portraits of Riley by Sargent, Steele, and especially one by Adams.]

[Describes reading " The Black People" to an invalid who liked everything except the conclusion; encloses last photograph of the deceased Gamin.]

[Thanks him for "the beautiful Lockerbie Book."]

[Thanks him for praise of his work " The Flirt"; recalls his admiration, since boyhood, of Riley as creator and critic.]

[Thanks him for gift of candy, saying Linda [Tarkington]is "placated" for his absence while visiting Riley; she disclaims that statement and thanks him for the candy.]

[Describes vacation in Maine, improvement in Booth Tarkington's health, visit of Haute, Donald and his nurse; discusses complications of feeding and housing such a diverse group; comments on Donald's remarkable recovery and Ovid's return; mentions plan to go to New Yorkand Princetonbefore returning home; notes her pleasure reading " Bag and Baggage" and the " Lockerbie pieces. "]

[Thanks him for praise and grapefruit; describes conflict between Italian officer and German captain on a ship; comments on Riley's improved health; writes that work on Harper'sseries prevented travel; outlines Penrod story to appear in Metropolitanand describes movie written for Jimmy Hackettto be filmed in Paris.]

[Regrets departure for Mainebefore Riley's return to Indiana; describes Booth Tarkington's good health and their expectation of staying in Maineuntil November.]

[Invites him to a formal dinner with Mr. B., Mr. Doubleday and the "home-folks."]

[Expects him at [The University] Clublater in the day; write they will be joined by Stoker, Dr. Hays, and Laurence Irving. ]

[Provides recipe for a fruit drink; sends 2 tumblers, lemons, and oranges; writes that the concoction will put him "knee deep in July"; suggests sharing with Bob Geiger's "Lizzie."]

[Thanks him for the package containing " The Raggedy Man" for Laurel and " The Boys of the Old Glee Club" for herself.]

[Written on verso: "Surf at Kennebunkport. ]

[Caption: "The most [illegible] Old Man."]

[Written on verso: "Sunset Rock -On the river."]

[Written on verso: "One of the many beautiful coves by the shore."]

Acquisition information:
Purchase [ 1971 Jul 14 ] 1971 Aug 5
Processing information:

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Physical location:
Physical description:
24 items