A Roycroft Love for Valentines' Day

Elbert Hubbard and his second wife, Alice, wrote countless letters to one another and saved many of them. Elbert’s son “Bert” inherited the letters and allowed author Charles F. Hamilton access to these as well as permission to use many in his book, “As Bees in Honey Drown,” which follows the development of Elbert and Alice's relationship.

 

Many of the earlier letters are dominated by discussions of his manuscripts with passionate thoughts periodically bursting through. The following from Alice to Elbert is such an expression following many paragraphs of manuscript critique: “But I won’t write more tonight for this longing heart wants only you. Take me, press me to your breast and I shall be nourished and assured. O, the greatness of love.”

 

Elbert, as always, used more words to express himself and, in this case, ends up using the moment for self commentary: “I think of you and wonder why I love you. I have been endeavoring to formulate the reason and can only do so negatively. For your charm for me lies not on the features of your loving face, nor in the tall, agile, graceful figure, nor in the varieties of expression that play across your face, nor in your wit and words of wisdom. . ., but it seems to be that there in your soul for me is perfect truth and having no guile yourself you attribute none to me, thus I am benefitted and strengthened.”

 

Find out what the secret codes “1,2,3,4” and 79 meant to the lovers by reading “As Bees in Honey Drown.” The book is sold at the Roycroft Copper Shop. Please purchase it there so you will be directly supporting the restoration of the Roycroft Campus.

 

- Sue

Comments

[Tina]

A very lovely tribute. I think it speaks volumes to Elbert and Alice's relationship.

[Bob DeWelt]

I am curious who now has the Love letters between Elbert and Alice?
Bob

[Susan]

I don't know who has Elbert and Alice's love letters now. Charles Hamilton was friends with Bert, Elbert's eldest son, who had the letters at the time the book was written. I don't know if the letters stayed in the family or were donated to the Elbert Hubbard Museum in East Aurora.