Publisher's Synopsis
Not only the autograph collector but all those who find any interest in autographs will enjoy this book. And to those will be added many who are anxious to find out all they can of the peculiar traits of great men and also the various means used in obtaining autographs. Mr. Hill has gathered into this volume a great number of facts concerning men and letters hitherto unpublished. Many of these are of men well known and often written about, but many are names not familiar to the great reading public, proof of the fact that he has been an unusually successful collector of autographs, as he writes mainly of those from whom he had obtained those favors. Among his collection he has the autographs of but two Americans, one is that of George Washington and the other that of William Lloyd Garrison, but we find those that others have given very attractive and particularly the fac simile ones. Mr. Hill has various ways to suggest in order to approach without offense the noted individual whose hand writing is prized. He suggests enclosing a five-dollar bill or a barrel of oysters-anything substantial which might naturally expect an acknowledgment," He trusts that, when the reader lays aside his book, he will say with Dr. Johnson, "Sir, we had a good talk," and we should judge that his hopes will be realized. There are some fine illustrations, and the binding and general character of the book are superb and in every way artistic.
--The Lutheran Quarterly, Volume 27
