1947 Calligraphed Farewell Poem for William Holmes, Outgoing President of Bonwit Teller

New York: Bonwit Teller/privately printed, 1947. First Edition. Paperback. Near Fine. Twenty-eight line hand-calligraphed poem addressed to the president of Bonwit Teller, the now defunct upscale department store on Fifth Avenue, on his retirement from active business in 1947. The poem is signed by George E. Neff, and on the opposite page it says in large letters, Sentiments of Everyone. The initial letter of the poem is illuminated.

The poem expresses affection and appreciation for the man who led what it terms a "retail symphony" of which they, the employees, were "proud to have been one small note." "...It hurts to think of you leaving us now / Perhaps for unknown parts, / You may not be on the eleventh floor; / But you will always be in our hearts."

A March 27, 1947 article in the New York Times about Holmes's retirement notes that he intended to continue as a director of the corporation and as a company adviser. Under his 12-year leadership, Bonwit's annual sales rose from less than $4,000,000 to more than $21,000,000. The article states that Holmes's future plans "include a vacation at his home in Palm Beach and a visit to South America and Europe."

A unique and eloquent piece of retail history from an era of understated elegance. Printed on heavy 10 1/2" x 13 1/2" paper. Some light offsetting from calligraphy onto opposite page. Housed in heavy, gold-colored paper wrappers secured with a thin, braided gold-colored ribbon. Crease to rear cover. The letters BT are on the first page. Near fine condition.