TYPED LETTER SIGNED by the prominent American architect CASS GILBERT, designer of the Woolworth Building, in reply to an invitation by James B. Pond to join his reception committee for Maeterlinck's first American lecture.

New York, December 10, 1919., 1919.. Very good. - Over 65 words typed on 8-1/2 inch high by 5-1/8 inch wide "244 Madison Avenue" stationery. Cass Gilbert is pleased to accept American impresario and lecture agent James B. Pond's invitation to join as a member of the reception committee welcoming Maurice Maeterlinck to America. Gilbert writes "...it gives me pleasure to advise you of my acceptance and I will endeavor to be present at Carnegie Hall on the evening of the lecture...." Signed "Cass Gilbert". James Pond has penciled "Ans." next to the architect's signature and affixed his dated response stamp at the very top of the page. Folded for mailing, the edges of the letter are soiled and there is a small piece out from the top left corner. Very good. <p>The American architect Cass Gilbert (1859-1934) was an early proponent of skyscrapers. He designed the Woolworth Building, which was then the tallest building in the world. Gilbert designed numerous museums, libraries, and state and federal buildings, including the United States Supreme Court building. Born in Zanesville, Ohio, he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota with his family and at age 17 joined the architectural firm of Abraham M. Radcliffe. He entered MIT's architectural program in 1878. Returning to Minnesota, he designed numerous buildings including the Minnesota State Capitol and St. Paul's Endicott Building. Moving to New York, he was commissioned to design the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. He went on to design the Woolworth Building, the support towers for the George Washington Bridge, and the U.S. Supreme Court Building among many many others.<p>James B. Pond, the American impresario and lecture agent who headed the J.B. Pond Lyceum Bureau, brought the great Belgian poet Maurice Maeterlinck to America for a series of lectures. The first lecture took place at Carnegie hall on January 2nd, 1920. Unfortunately Maeterlinck failed to carry out his intention to lecture in English because of his labored "phonetic" English. He declared his intention to continue his lectures in French and have the translation read by another person. As a result, the lecture tour was a failure and lawsuits ensued on both sides.