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Album/Ephemera: Herman Whitaker Family and Friends.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 500.00 USD
Album/Ephemera: Herman Whitaker Family and Friends.
[WHITAKER, HERMAN JAMES. 1867-1919; and other BOHEMIANS.] A Whitaker family history album compiled by Micaela Martinez DuCasse, containing ephemera/photos (both copies and originals). There are approx. 17 original photos/snapshots in the album, subjects including Herman Whitaker/family, Xavier and Elsie Martinez, Jack London, and Joaquin Miller. The bulk of the album is comprised of 75+ photographic copied images of photos and documents largely related to Whitaker's journalism work in WWI and with Poncho Villa (incl. multiple images on single sheets), as well as the family's earlier history in Manitoba, Canada. Together with two glass plate negatives of Herman Whitaker and Elsie Whitaker Martinez (each 6 7/8in x 4 3/4in), and an assortment of ephemera, including an intriguing anonymous letter concerning Whitaker's last days in New York. ORIGINAL SNAPSHOTS INCLUDE:  -- Whitaker with Jack London, illustrator Harrison Fisher, and novelist Harry Leon Wilson (edge tears and creases). -- Whitaker with author/journalist John Fleming Wilson. -- 2 of Xavier Martinez in his Piedmont studio, including one showing his work "Afternoon in Piedmont", with Elsie beside the window. -- Joaquin Miller in front of his cottage. -- Early images of Elsie Whitaker and her siblings. -- Party outing with Xavier Martinez and Elsie on her father's knee. EPHEMERA INCLUDES: -- An interesting "anonymous" typed letter, sent from New York to one of Whitaker's daughters, [December] 30th, [1919], after his cancer surgery, and just before his death. It concerns the grim news of his prognosis, and his wish to have his ashes scattered at home close to where he wrote "The Planter". The sender, who expresses affection and a close relationship with Whitaker, writes: "He told me too that he would never return to his wife and all the tragedy of his unhappy married life. And that is why, I am writing no word to her, although I know her very well." Two sheets (9 1/2in x 6in; overall good, with folds, staining). -- Approx. 12 photo postcards (unsent) relating to Whitaker's correspondent work in France/WWI and in Mexico, some with attached typed captions (possibly used for his articles). Generally good, some corner tears/creases. -- George Sterling commemoration program and misc. newspaper clippings. -- A photocopy of a Whitaker family history by his great-grandson, Jack Whitaker. From the Family of Xavier Martinez (1869-1943), Elsie Whitaker Martinez (1890-1984), and Micaela Martinez DuCasse (1913-1989).