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BARTON, CLARA. (1821-1912). Founder of the American Red Cross. DS. (“Clara Barton”). 1p. 8vo. Glen Echo, June 1, 1911. A printed acknowledgement (addressed to “Dear Friend”) thanking the recipient for wishes for her improved health.

For the hundreds of communications, full of anxious solicitude and friendly sympathy, received by me during my illness of last winter and spring, I beg through this unsatisfactory, although only way open to me, to return this reminder of the heartfelt thanks which words can never express. May the blessings of health and strength be yours, and the measure of loving sympathy that has been given me be meted back to you.

It were easy to search for the

gems of the sea,

The jewels and gold hid in

mountain and lea;

The thin veins of silver that line

the green sod,

But health is of wisdom, and

strength is of God. 

Ever gratefully… No reply expected.

Clara Barton’s national reputation in nursing arose from her solicitation and distribution of supplies for wounded soldiers during the American Civil War. She became so well known, in fact, that in 1865 President Lincoln charged her with locating Union soldiers missing in action. After the war, she allied herself with the women’s suffrage movement and lectured on their behalf. She brought the Swiss Red Cross organization to the United States in 1881 and became the first president of the American Red Cross. The lines of verse in our letter are taken from her lengthy poem, “Have Ye Room,” written aboard the Parthia in October, 1873, as she returned from her European trip.

According to her New York Times obituary, “Barton had been confined to her home, Red Cross, at Glen Echo [Maryland], since last Fall, when she returned from a visit to New England. It was thought her trip was beneficial, but soon afterward she was taken seriously ill.”

Neatly signed in purple ink with a slight crease in the upper left corner, otherwise extremely fine.

Item #16930

Price: $450