Woollcott, Alexander (1887-1943) Typed letter signed. New York. Addressed to Rev. Bronson, undated

File — Box: 1, Folder: 67

Staff Only

Scope and Content

From the Collection:

This collection consists of letters and supporting documentation, books on the art of letter writing, a small miscellaneous grouping of catalogs and photographs, and issues of The Wolf Magazine of Letters from June-July 1979 to Summer Quarterly 1991. The earliest letter, from the Marquise de Sevigne, dates from 1695; while the most recent was signed by entertainer Mike Douglas in 1980. Most of the letters date from the 19th century. The collection, which now numbers 85 letters, will continue to grow; in conjunction with his gift, Mr. Lang established a gift annuity to be used for the maintenance and augmentation of the collection.

Dates

Creation: undated

Creator

Woollcott, Alexander (Author, Person)

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

The records are in English

Restrictions on Access

There are no restrictions on access to this collection.

Extent

From the Collection: 1.26 linear feet

Additional Description

Condition

Very fine. Slight folds

1 page, 10"x 7"

Transcription

[upper left corner, handwritten: K441] [letterhead, line 1, centered: ALEXANDER WOOLLCOTT] [letterhead, line 2, centered: 10 GRACIE SQUARE] [letterhead, line 3, centered: NEW YORK]

My dear Rev. Bronson:

If you are planning to give me a present this Christmas, I beg of you NOT to make it something indestructible which would only add to the litter of my life. Eventually, I would shove it up in the attic and then be haunted every time you came to call for fear you’d notice it was nowhere around.

Such a gift is dictated by the same kind of vanity which makes some men stipulate in their wills just what kind of marble horror is to keep their memory green. The gracious and truly modest gift is always something perishable -- a song under the window, flowers for the living room, or, better still, something to drink. Best of all, something to drink. Don’t give your friend something to put in the attic. For sweet charity’s sake, give him something to put in the cellar.

The safest bet is whiskey, and you could hardly do better than Seagram’s Pedigree, that rare, eight-year-old Imported Bonded whiskey, of which Seagram’s, and with good reason, are so proud.

But why, as they say in the drama, am I telling all this to you? Well, it’s because the Seagram people have seduced, bribed and corrupted me into doing so. Besides, it happens to be true.

Here’s hoping,

[signature: A. Woollcott]

P. S. If you’re as lazy as I am, you’ll probably use the special service the card tells you about. If not, you’ll waddle into a store and help yourself. [handwritten initials: A.W.] [handwritten underline]