New-York tribune., 1880-02-15
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.

CHARLES G. LELAND AND VANITY FAIR"
LETTER FROM WILLIAM A. STEPHENS THE MAN
AGING EDIroR-HE DENIES THAT MR. LELAND
STARTED THE PAPER AND TELLS WHO DID.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: In The TRIBUNE of the LIST inst. there
is report Of proceedings dinner given by the Lotto
Club 10 Mr.. Charles G. Leland the preceding evenings
in which he is reported saying:
/ have also been a business man In New.York
started Vanity Fair with Charles Browne tArtemus
Ward) as an assistant, and remember how used 10
out the series Of articles When hos pce become SO
widely known. The Reuue des Deux Nondes recently
ward oi S Which by ar IN "a
credit was given TO me and too little TO him. But this
credit FOR having aided such man as Artemus Ward
confess when read the above was at loss TO know
IL Mr.. Leland, after his long absence had returned
clothed and in his right mind" have objection to
allow him all the credit he deserves for his brief con-
nection with Vanity Fair, but 1t is act OF simple
justice 10 others that the facts should be correctly
stated
In the latter part OF the year 1859 Frank Thompson,
of New-York, resident in Cincinnati, proposed to
my brother, Henry L. Stephens artist. to establish
weekly humorous paper equal to The London Punch;
Sr Thompson putting in the cash capital and acting
publisher, Mr. Stephens giving his services leading
artist as his proportion. On December 81, 1859, the
first number issued, the position OF managing editor
being rendered TO and that OF literary editor 10 Mr.
Frank Wood. The title of the paDer decided upon
after competition among well-known literary men.
Twenty five dollars being offered for satisfactory
name there were many competitors, among them Mr..
n. 7. Willis who submitted Puck and Mr.. Henry Capp,
who submitted Vanity Fair Vanity Fair was adopted
aud Mr. Capp received the award. few months after
ward DIR. VIM. COrmac and Henry Bonsal Of Philadel-
pha purchased the interests OF Messrs Thompson aud
stephens. and Louis H. stephens became the publisher
for the propretors, while retained my original po
sition.
On or about October 1, 1860. for satisfactory
Mr. Woods connection with the paper ceased Mr.
Leland then rendered the position, which he ac
cepted at salary OF $50 per week, the control Of
the paper being still In my hands This. 1t will be OBJ
served, nine months after the paper had started,
aud not line written by him had thus far appeared IN
It. Prior TO this date had in paper letter
written by Aremus Ward. / made inquiry for him. and
found him on The Plain Dealer, at Cleveland, OHIO, aud
wrote Offering him the position OF assistant editor TO
write such articles had seen, exclusively for Vanity
Fair with the reservation him Of copyrights He ac
cepted Che OFFER and connected with the paper
III he commenced lecturng. Mr.. Leland knew nothing
Of this unit had secured Mr. Browne, and had part
lot IN the matter. doubt IL he knew anything about
II until he met him In our Office
The first article from Mr.. Leland appeared early In
October, 1S60-the last about the middle OF 1861. |
believe Mr.. Il. ii. Stoddard kindly assisted for few
numbers literary EDITOR aided by Mr. Browne but in
short time Charles Dawson shanly was gwen the pO,
son, which he filled with eminent ability until the final
number, July 4, 1853. In the early part or 1861 Mr.
BOnsal died. and the prOprelOTship was vested In Dr.
Cormac ana myself, the management being entirely
under my control. Several gentlemen are living who
can confirm these statements, such as william Winter,
Charles I. Congdon, X. H. stoddard, and Edmund
G. Stedman. all cary contributors to the paper, and
Henry L. Stephens Its and leading artist during
It's career. ali residing IN New-YOrk Mr.. Tnomp
sOn in Cincinnati and Louis H. Stevens, DIR. Cormac
and myself in Philadelphia. There is much that could
say that is unnecessary now. simply desire TO put
these facts upon record, aud trust you will
the favor OF their publication your columns. | wish
to say also that Vdy Far cost the pr0pnet0rs over
$25, 900 that no man but Mr. Thompson DR.. Cormac |
Mr.. Bonsal and myself contributed dollar to- |
ward that amount. and that closed the paper
owing no dollar, all OF which think entities
10 some credit I'm the statements now submitted.
cordially agree with Mr. Leland that If the Rerus des
Deur MOHdeS did say what he states, then 1t dd GER
taiuy give credit to him and too little To Ar
tenus Ward IL would be interesting 10 know WHO FUR
nlshde the data for that article WM A. STEPHENS.
No. South 12j Third ST., Phiiadephta Feb IL, 1850.