BARRIE J. M.: (1860-1937) Scottish Novelist, created

BARRIE J. M.: (1860-1937) Scottish Novelist, created Peter Pan. A.L.S., J. M. Barrie, two pages, 8vo, The Athenaeum, London, 23rd January 1919, to Nicholas Murray Butler. Barrie writes in response to his correspondent's cable and encloses a message (no longer present) for the programme, suggesting 'It would be better understood by [the] audience if read at end of play than earlier'. Barrie continues to thank Butler for their invitation to America, stating that he should have liked to accept, but must decline as he his tied down by matters in London, although remarking 'I think a true friendship between America and this country would be the finest thing that could happen in the world'. With a pencil annotation in an unidentified hand to the upper left corner and two received stamps from Columbia University and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Accompanied by a carbon typed copy of Butler's reply, bearing a rubber stamped signature, one page, 4to, n.p. (Columbia), 11th February 1919, to 'My dear Mr. Barrie', thanking him for his letter 'to be read on the occasion of our celebration next week' and remarking 'It is, to be sure, a poor substitute for yourself, but it is very welcome in your physical absence'. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, otherwise VG, 2 £300-400