William Cullen Bryant Autograph “The Voice of Autumn” Poem Signed.

BRYANT, William Cullen.

$1,100.00

Item Number: 142753

November 21, 1853:, .

Rare autograph poem in the hand of William Cullen Bryant sent by him to magazine publisher George R. Graham for inclusion in his literary periodical Graham’s Magazine with the accompanying transmittal letter from Bryant to Graham. Quarto, two pages. Addressed to George R. Graham, the letter reads in part, “New York Monday Nov. 21, 1853 My dear Sir, I send you on the other leaf a poem for Graham’s Magazine. I hope it will reach you for your purpose. I am Sir very truly yours W. C. Bryant.” The first stanzas of the poem read, “The Voice of Autumn by William Cullen Bryant. There comes, from yonder height, A soft repining sound, Where forest leaves are bright, And fall, like flakes of light, To the ground. It is the autumn breeze, That, lightly floating on, Just skims the weedy leas, Just stirs the glowing trees, And is gone.” Written in Roslyn, New York in 1853, “The Voice of Autumn” would be published in the January 1854 issue of Graham’s (Vol. 44, p. 10). In very good condition.

American romantic poet William Cullen Bryant was one of the most significant poets in early American literary history. He is typically included among the group of poets referred to as the fireside poets, along with Longfellow, John Greenleaf Whittier, James Russell Lowell, and Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. hey are considered to be among the first American poets whose popularity rivaled that of British poets, both at home and abroad and are so named because their writing was a source of entertainment for families gathered around the fire at home. Bryant's poetry has been described as being "of a thoughtful, meditative character, and makes but slight appeal to the mass of readers."