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Story
March 2, 1885
New York Tribune
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
Senator-elect Evarts shares with a Tribune reporter his views on the etiquette of autograph requests, emphasizing the courtesy of including stamped, addressed envelopes and cards, and notes changes in customs from loose stamps to more formal methods, especially after speeches.
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Full Text
MR. EVARTS AND THE AUTOGRAPH HUNTERS.
While a Tribune reporter was in Senator-elect Evarts's office on Saturday, that gentleman opened several letters containing requests for autographs. Most of them contained a card and stamped and addressed envelopes.
"There is an etiquette in autograph seeking," said Mr. Evarts, "which the senders of these letters nearly all comply with. If stamped and addressed envelopes and a card are inclosed, it is a rule that the request shall be heeded—from patriotic motives, because it gives the Government two cents in postage. If one is obliged to go to the trouble of writing both autograph and address, to furnish both envelope, card and stamp, it is not customary to respond.
It was formerly customary for such requests to be accompanied merely by an inclosure of loose stamps. A poet of my acquaintance once told me that his autograph requests supplied him with stamps for all his correspondence. Autograph seekers probably found that loose stamps were appropriated without compunction, for they have changed the custom now. They come in great numbers after making an important speech. Poets' autographs, I am told, are sought more than those of public men."
While a Tribune reporter was in Senator-elect Evarts's office on Saturday, that gentleman opened several letters containing requests for autographs. Most of them contained a card and stamped and addressed envelopes.
"There is an etiquette in autograph seeking," said Mr. Evarts, "which the senders of these letters nearly all comply with. If stamped and addressed envelopes and a card are inclosed, it is a rule that the request shall be heeded—from patriotic motives, because it gives the Government two cents in postage. If one is obliged to go to the trouble of writing both autograph and address, to furnish both envelope, card and stamp, it is not customary to respond.
It was formerly customary for such requests to be accompanied merely by an inclosure of loose stamps. A poet of my acquaintance once told me that his autograph requests supplied him with stamps for all his correspondence. Autograph seekers probably found that loose stamps were appropriated without compunction, for they have changed the custom now. They come in great numbers after making an important speech. Poets' autographs, I am told, are sought more than those of public men."
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
Deception
What keywords are associated?
Autograph Seekers
Etiquette
Stamped Envelopes
Loose Stamps
Senator Evarts
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Evarts
Tribune Reporter
Where did it happen?
Senator Elect Evarts's Office
Story Details
Key Persons
Mr. Evarts
Tribune Reporter
Location
Senator Elect Evarts's Office
Event Date
On Saturday
Story Details
Mr. Evarts opens letters requesting autographs while speaking to a reporter, explains the etiquette of including stamped envelopes and cards for compliance, notes former use of loose stamps that were often kept, and observes increased requests after speeches with poets more sought than public men.