Autograph Letters Signed

The only "his 'n' hers historians" in the lengthy history of Lincoln historians, his scholarly and hers popular: He was an American historian and author ("Constitutional Problems Under Lincoln," "Lincoln the President") considered by many the greatest Lincoln scholar of the 20th century; she helped research some of his works and herself authored popular titles such as "Mary Lincoln: Biography of a Marriage" (1953), "Lincoln's Sons" (1956), "The Courtship of Mr. Lincoln" (1957), "I, Mary" (1959) and "Colonel Elmer Ellsworth" (1960). ALS, 1p, 8½" X 11", Urbana, IL, 12 July 1952. Addressed to Arnold Gates (1914-93, noted Lincoln and Civil War scholar). Very good. Faint original folds. Penned bold and large in blue fountain pen ink, in this cordial note James G. Randall tells the budding Lincolnist, "I greatly appreciate your friendly note of recent date. Please accept, as my gift, the copy of 'Living with Lincoln' which is being mailed to you separately. It is heartening to have your words of approval bearing upon my published work...." Second, another ALS, 2pp (recto and verso), 6¼" X 8½", Urbana,, IL, 5 November 1958. Same recipient. Near fine. Also penned in handsome blue fountain pen ink, Ruth Randall thanks Gates for "asking me to review a book your section in Lincoln Herald" but declines -- "I am swamped with work at present and my strength is limited...." I am working on a book about Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth with special emphasis on his relation to Lincoln, and because of the approaching centennial of the Civil War it is desirable for me to finish it as soon as I can. I am also expecting galley proofs of my biography of Mary Lincoln for teen-age girls. The title is I Mary from the marriage service 'I Mary take thee Abraham to my wedded husband.'" A superb and uncommon pair.