Signature / Unsigned Photograph

The Sage of Emporia" was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American newspaper editor and author whose frequent pronouncements made him John Q. Public's spokesman for many years; he published and edited "The Emporia Gazette" from 1895 until his death. Huge and bold "W.A. White / Emporia / Kansas / January / 1935" in black ink on a buff heavy stock 5½" X 3¼" postal card. Verso addressed in type to Arnold F. Gates (1914-93, noted Lincoln and Civil War scholar) and cancelled in Emporia on 8 January 1935. Near fine. Accompanied by a superb glossy 8½" X 6½" black and white news agency photograph (International News Photo), depicting a large head-and-shoulders bust of White with three persons standing alongside. Original mimeographed paper label neatly affixed to verso, dated 21 March 1947, titles this scene "Unveil Bust of Famed Editor" and describes it: "Shown beside the bronze bust of the late William Allen White, famed editor of The Emporia, Kansas, Gazette, as it was unveiled today at the French Galleries, 210 East 57th St., are the Hon. Ora Rindon, mayor of Emporia; Mrs. William Allen White, the widow, and Jo Davidson, the sculptor. After being exhibited in New York the bust will be shipped to Emporia and later placed permanently in the proposed new courthouse....