[1892 and 1893, Two Humorously Illustrated Letters by Frank and Etta Willman of Salem, Oregon, One Depicting a Woman Tennis Player].

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Two humorously illustrated letters sent to a schoolgirl in Pennsylvania from a young married couple in Salem, Oregon, Frank L. Willman, Sr. and Etta Willman.

Frank illustrated and physically wrote out both letters though the text appears to have been a collaboration by the couple, Etta suggesting some content and likely contributing a humorous poem and one letter containing added content signed by her.

Notable here is a four-page letter depicting Etta Willman—“champion of the northwest Ladies Giggling and so called Tennis Club of Salem Oregon.” It describes and illustrates a recent game of tennis, a game played on one of Salem’s “…oldest and best courts…laid out 6 yrs. ago…”

The description comprises a humorous poem and a pair of illustrations that shows Etta Willman wearing a long dress with a bustle accompanied by a dog with a tennis racket tied to his tail:

I give you a “quick” illustration drawn in German, to go with the touching lines composed by the poet of our family upon the occasion and near the scene of the disaster. After the Ball was over –  /  She gave one deadly scream /  And out across the clover /  Something was seen to gleam /  Say, why am I madly chasing?  /  Over the garden wall –  /  Why am I Madly racing?  /  “After the Ball”!!

A second letter—from “F.L.W. Senior for Etta”—includes much on their new-born baby, Frank, Jr., and includes a drawing of what appears to be a plucked quail. Perhaps “Pa,” as he calls himself, is feeling a little reined-in in his new parental situation?

Price: $75.00