Typed Letter Signed

This prominent New York attorney was a noted Lincoln scholar, author of the 1954 "Three Lincoln Masterpieces"; charter member and vice president of the noted Civil War Round Table of New York and namesake of the prestigious Benjamin Barondess Award for new Civil War titles. TLS, 1p, 8½" X 11", New York, NY, 1958 May 5. Addressed to Arnold Gates (1914-93), noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar and fellow officer of the New York Civil War Round Table. Near fine. Superb content thanking Gates for the journal he put together for their Round Table -- in part: "I could not put it down until it was completely read, chewed and digested... it is a tremendous tour de force you have done. The labor must have been vast. The coverage is simply encyclopedic..... where do you get the time to be a one-armed paper-hanger, a cashier, a recorder, a secretary, and pater familias?" Goes on at length along these lines. Signed simply "Ben." Accompanied by an un-issued "Benjamin Barondess Award," faux parchment 11" X 8½". Fine. Printed "For an outstanding contribution to the field of Lincolniana" award established by the Round Table he served so well in the year of his death.