Typed Letter Signed

This interesting literary character founded the R.R. Bowker Company (which still exists) in 1872, co-founded "Library Journal" (which also still exists) in 1876, and acquired "Publishers' Weekly" (you guessed it) in 1879 -- among other lasting bookish and bibliographic endeavors. TLS, 1p, 5½" X 8½", New York, NY, 1923 January 17. Addressed to "R.U.J." (editor Robert Underwood Johnson, 1853-1937). Flowery tribute to his friend on the occasion of Johnson's seventieth birthday. In part: "Certainly, your 70 years have been crowded and crowned with honors, as Secretary of the American Copyright League, whose work will, I hope, be crowned by our entrance into the International Copyright Union before we pass over to the majority; as Editor of the Century; as Scribe of the Immortals, himself immortalized in contiguity; and finally, as Ambassador from his beloved country to the land of his love." (This last refers to Johnson's 1920-21 term as U.S. ambassador to Italy.) An unusual item from one giant in the world of editing to another.…