Robert Louis Stevenson - 1936 lecture typescript

Original typescript of a lecture by Guy Richardson, a New England editor, writer, and early advocate for animal rights. 74 typed pages in four numbered sections with handwritten corrections throughout. Dated 1936 in the text on page 1. As found, stored in a 1924 envelope addressed to Our Dumb Animals, the magazine of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Richardson (1873-1954) was editor of the magazine and longtime secretary of the society. Richardson evidently delivered this lecture a number of times over the years. The earliest date we found was November 1921, when he lectured at the Boston Public Library for Stevenson's birthday and in conjunction with an exhibition of his first editions. Stevenson's life and work are presented chronologically, and the lecture was illustrated with lantern slides of Stevenson portraits and other photographs. Along with his animal welfare work, a 1920s ad for a separate lecture on Abraham Lincoln describes Richardson as "Editor, Writer, Traveler, Chautauqua Lecturer, Member various Literary and Patriotic Societies in Boston, Member Author's Club, London." As author, Richardson's credits included The Dog in Literature, Animals as Seen by the Poets, and A Bostonian in 'Frisco. Typescript is VG. Typical signs of age but complete and intact. Envelope is fragile with browning and chipping. An uncommon item.