PERCY WALLACE MACKAYE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/01/1923 - HFSID 321266

PERCY WALLACE MacKAYE
Writing to historian Lewis Mumford, discussing the prospects for getting a book by his brother (and Mumford's friend) Benton MacKaye published.
Autograph Letter signed: "Percy MacKaye", 1 page, 8½x11. Windsor, Vermont, 1923 August 1. On personal letterhead to "My dear Lewis Mumford", in full: "I was ever so glad to hear from you - high indeed - with you - and we may have many more friendly exchanges of thought much as we had in those fond talks in New York. Please pardon my not writing sooner. I have been ill, and am not yet able to get about much. Your book which my wife & I have read aloud together has been a great source of pleasure. I am concerned about Benton's book. Do you know what its chances of publication are? I hear only seldom & briefly from Benton himself. It will be a great pity if he doesn't find a publisher - & soon. I understand Geddes [?] was enthusiastic about it. If that is so, do you think he'd be willing to write a word of Introduction for it? That might help a great deal. Will you let me know? And will you tell Geddes how disappointed I am not to be able to see him yet. How long will he be in America? With kind regards, yours". PERCY WALLACE MacKAYE (1875-1956) was the author of several plays, beginning with the humorous The Canterbury Pilgrims (1903), as well as 4 volumes of poetry. In 1950, he wrote a series of plays designed to serve as a prequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet. MacKaye was a strong advocate for public funding of the arts. Percy MacKaye's father was actor/impresario Steel MacKaye, and one of his brothers was philosopher James MacKaye. He writes in this letter to historian/sociologist Lewis Mumford about his other brother, Benton MacKaye (1879-1975), a conservationist who conceived the idea of the Appalachian Trail in a 1921 article. He had two books published, both advocating preservation of nature from urban development. Multiple folds. Corners slightly worn and creased. Heavily toned. Surface creases. Stray ink marks. Pecnil notes (unknown hand). Otherwise, fine condition.