Autograph Letter Signed from the American artist Edwin Howland Blashfield to 'Mr. Thomas' [the playwright Augustus Thomas], regarding the National Institute of Arts and Letters [later the American Academy of Arts and Letters].

1p., 12mo. 25 lines, neatly and tightly written. In good condition, lightly-aged, and with pin hole to one corner. Blashfield declares himself 'much disappointed' that Thomas will not be presiding 'at the joint meeting on the 17th. Nov.', stating that he has been urging 'from the beginning' that Thomas should 'so preside'. 'President Butler as chairman of the committee (of which committee of arrangement I was not a member) felt strongly that a name must head each days programme and pointed out to me (through Johnson the Secretary) that obviously the president elect could not be named till elected, which would not be until a good while after the programmes were printed or circulated. I replied that I was in the committees hands but regretted much for the sake of the audience that they could not have you in the chair. President Butler replied that time would equalize these responsibilities since, as with me in my case, you in your case could preside next year and again a second time, immediately after the expiration of your second term. I said "so be it", and continued to regret.' He ends by stating that he looks forward 'to the fortunes of the Institute' under Thomas's 'guidance'. Blashfield was President of the National Institute of Arts and Letters between 1915 and 1916, and was succeeded by Thomas.