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Welcome to our new Catalogue of 20th Century LITERARY MANUSCRIPTS, LETTERS, & PHOTOGRAPHS. Authors featured include Sherwood Anderson, W. H. Auden, Saul Bellow, Zane Grey, Sinclair Lewis, and many others. Our next catalogue will be issued to correspond with the Boston Book Fair on November 16 - 18, 2007, and will include a variety of rare books and autographs including fine Presidential items and a number of illustrated 16th Century books. Future monthly catalogues will feature strong collections of 19th Century American and British Literature, Hand-colored Ornithology books, a fine Mountaineering collection, and much more. Click on Order to send us a message; please be sure to include the Title and the Item Number.
| 014053 ALBEE, EDWARD. SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH. An 8" x 10" black-and-white photograph of Albee standing in front of a poster for WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? INSCRIBED for --------- "with good thoughts" and SIGNED by the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright in 1991.Fine (Theater, Pulitzer Prize, Inscribed, Signed, Modern Firsts, Literary Photograph, Signed Photograph, Edward Albee, Theater Photograph) |
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| 014002 ANDERSON, SHERWOOD. ARCHIVE CONSISTING OF 2 TYPED LETTERS SIGNED (TLSS) AND 6 AUTOGRAPHED LETTERS SIGNED (ALSS) TO CRITIC LLEWELLYN JONES. 1916-1924.A group of early letters, all but one SIGNED in full and including five envelopes, dating from 1916 to 1924 with three undated, all to Llewellyn Jones, then literary editor of the Chicago Evening Post. The earliest letter, dated 27 July 1916, thanks Jones for letting "Heck" [Ben Hecht] write a review of an Anderson book, likely WINDY MACPHERSON'S SON, his first. Another letter includes a cartoon cut from a newspaper with Anderson's suggestion that Jones might have intended it to illustrate his article. In a two-page holograph letter about his book MANY MARRIAGES, Anderson notes how Jones "did perfectly catch the spirit in which it was done." In a letter postmarked 14 December 1924, Anderson thanks Jones for a "very lovely criticism of my book.... More and more I [?] to think of you as one of the solid writers of criticism in this country." In an undated typed letter, Anderson comments on a visit from Carl Sandburg and the poet's reaction to where Anderson lived.Good to Near Fine (Sherwood Anderson, Modern Firsts, Signed, 20th C. Amer. Lit., Autographs, Llewellyn Jones, Archives, Letters) |
$6000.00 Order |
| 014003 ANDERSON, SHERWOOD. AUTOGRAPHED LETTER SIGNED (ALS) TO AUTHOR FREDERICK O'BRIEN. An undated single-page letter, likely from the 1920s, SIGNED as "Sherwood" to author Frederick O'Brien. Before writing books such as WHITE SHADOWS IN THE SOUTH SEAS, O'Brien was a Director of Education for the Food Administration for California and an assistant to Herbert Hoover during World War I. In this letter Anderson dispenses advice about writing to O'Brien: "Don't think too much of its form at first, Put down the stories as they come. Be bold. The form will break through. The result will be halfyourself, half a fanciful self. Your visit was a joy to us. Your gift as a story teller must not be submerged." Excellent content. Some minor smearingof the ink at the bottom of the page. Minor wrinkling along edges.Very Good (Sherwood Anderson, Modern Firsts, Signed, 20th C. Amer. Lit., Autographs, Frederick O'Brien, Letters) |
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| 014004 ANDERSON, SHERWOOD. AUTOGRAPHED LETTER SIGNED (ALS) TO AUTHOR FREDERICK O'BRIEN. 16 March 1927.An three-page letter on both sides of Hamburg-Amerika Linie stationery SIGNED as "Sherwood" to author Frederick O'Brien. Before writing books suchas WHITE SHADOWS IN THE SOUTH SEAS, O'Brien was a Director of Education forthe Food Administration for California and an assistant to Herbert Hoover during World War I. In this letter, dated 16 March 1927, Anderson mentions, as a way of explaining a missed visit, his little girl and his son John, "a young lad with a flare [sp] for painting," as well as his attending to matters concerning several of his books being published in France and his wife's being ill. He concludes by saying how he is going back to the farm. "This winter I have done nothing. It is a time of internal disturbance for me."Near Fine (Sherwood Anderson, Modern Firsts, Signed, 20th C. Amer. Lit., Autographs, Frederick O'Brien, Letters) |
$750.00 Order |
| 014050 ANDERSON, SHERWOOD. PHOTOGRAPH. An 8" x 10" black-and-white photo of Anderson standing outside his home with his dog. Stamp of Harold Ober Associates on the verso along with ink and pencil notations dating the photograph to 1939 and requesting return to Mrs. Sherwood Anderson.About Fine (Sherwood Anderson, Modern Firsts, Photograph, Literary Photograph) |
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| 014035 AUDEN, W. H. ARCHIVE CONSISTING OF 5 AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED (ALSS) AND VARIOUS OTHER PIECES, SOME SIGNED. 1961-1962.Group of five AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED, two as "W. H. Auden" and three as "Wystan Auden," along with an AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED on a postcard as "Wystan Auden," a TYPED LETTER SIGNED with a holograph addition SIGNED as "W. H. Auden," three Christmas cards from Auden, not signed, printing his poem "A Chorus of Angels," three printed Invitations to Auden's birthday celebration with the recipient's name in Auden's hand on two of them, and an original photograph postcard of a smiling Auden in motion. Also included are all seven envelopes, five of them with either Auden's signature or handwritten address. All items are to a New York City neighbor who occupied Auden's home when he was away, and the letters deal with related matters. While not interesting content, a large and varied group with a number of examples of the scarcer full form of Auden's signature.Near Fine to Fine (W. H. Auden, Modern Firsts, Signed, Wystan Auden, Autographs, Modern Poetry, Archives, Letters) |
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| 013994 AUDEN, W. H. AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT SIGNED: ESSAY TITLED "EMPIRICS FOR THE MILLION". (1940).Holograph Manuscript consisting of four unlined 8-1/2" x 11" pages neatly penned completely in Auden's hand and SIGNED by him at the conclusion. Includes some corrections in pencil and ink. Comprising Auden's review of Prof. Lancelon Hogden's book DANGEROUS THOUGHTS, this essay was published in the May 1940 issue of COMMON SENSE. Four quotations from the book are transcribed at the manuscript's beginning before Auden begins his analysis of Hogden's scientific humanism. His praise for the book and its author is unfettered: "his earlier books have already proved that he is one of the most brilliant teachers in England." Auden spends much time discussing philosophy and psychology, concluding that "psychology is a young science. There is still hope." A rare glance into this famous poet's mind. Housed in a new half blue morocco slipcase with cloth chemise.Near Fine in handsome case and quite scarce. (Modern Poetry, Modern Firsts, Signed, 20th C. Brit. Lit., Autographs, Manuscripts, Manuscript, Rare, W. H. Auden) |
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| 014015 BARNES, DJUNA. TWO TYPED LETTERS. [New York]: 6 & 7 Dec. 1971.Two TYPED LETTERS, borth retained copies by Barnes and thus not signed, and both to Peter F. du Sautoy of Faber and Faber. Each letter has a number of corrections and several holograph emendations by Barnes, including in each letter the addition of "Nightwood," the title of her most famous book. The first letter is crossed out and marked "Not Sent" by Barnes; the second letter is on paper with Barnes's 5 Patchin Place addressimprinted at the top. Both letters regard contracts for her books and her concern and frustration over various details.Stapled together. Fine (Djuna Barnes, Modern Firsts, Women's Literature, Letters, Letter) |
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| 014036 BARRIE, J. M. (BARRIE, JAMES MATTHEW, SIR). ARCHIVE CONSISTING OF LETTER SIGNED (LS) AND MANUSCRIPT SIGNED (MS) TO ACTRESS MARY JERROLD. London: 1920 and 1927.Fine one-page LETTER SIGNED (body of letter in a secretarial hand but SIGNED by Barrie with a closing in his hand) to the daughter of noted actress Mary Jerrold congratulating her on winning an Academy Gold Medal and commenting on her mother as "one who has given so many exquisite performances on the stage-and some of the most beautiful of them in plays of mine." In addition to PETER PAN, Barrie wrote two more fantasy plays including MARY ROSE (1920) a story of a mother who is searching for her lost child and who eventually becomes a ghost. Mary Jerrold played an important role in the original stage production of the latter. The two-pageSIGNED AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT, present also in an early typed form, dated 15 October 1920, is a rather scathing criticism of the production of this playby its author, including comments on Mary Jerrold's performance: "Miss Jerrold utterly fails to indicate that Mr. Morland was her second husband. She does not seem to know what the play is about." The play, which opened 22 April 1920 and closed 26 February 1921, was a success and was recently revived. Apparently Barrie's words were taken to heart. Included is a TYPED LETTER SIGNED dated 10 March 1920 from Frederick Harrison confirming that Mary Jerrold has been engaged for the new Barrie play at a salary of fifty pounds a week.Normal crease from folding. About Fine with envelopes. (Association, Peter Pan, Autographs, Signed, J. M. Barrie, Neverland, Mary Jerrold, Letter, Modern Firsts) |
$2000.00 Order |
| 013988 BELLOW, SAUL. THE LAST ANALYSIS. HOLOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT OF SAUL BELLOW'S ONLY PLAY. First Edition.An undated early holograph version of Saul Bellow's only full-length play contained in a ledger-type notebook (8-1/4" x 11-3/8") with marbled paper boards and a black cloth spine. Bellow has subtitled this as "A Work in Progress." Acts I and II of this version are complete in 71 pages with 4 pages of preliminary material for an Act III. The 1964 staged version was reduced to two acts. Bellow appears to have written out Acts I & II as a fair copy from previous versions and notes in preparation for completing the play with a new Act III. There are relatively few insertions and corrections in his text of the first two acts which take up about 75% of the notebook. The third act consists mostly of blank pages with 3 pages of rough notes and key speeches including what seem to be the climactic lines of his main character, the comedian Bummidge, who has been undergoing an obsessive self-analysis in the previous acts: "The world was never real forme. But now I see it's more real than I was. I never admitted that it existed. It always knew I was here (he goes around picking up objects & kissing them because they're real).... Now what is the theory. Not Momma's womb but my own empty heart?" Laid in to the notebook is a SIGNED typed 12-page fragment of an earlier version of the play, with Bellow's original title, THE CRASH PROGRAM, crossed out in ink and his new title, THE LAST ANALYSIS, written over it. Bellow manuscripts of this size and importance are seldom offered with most already housed in institutional collections.Near Fine and quite exceptional. (Modern Firsts, Manuscript, Saul Bellow, Nobel Prize, Holograph, Theater, Plays, First Editions, Jewish Literature) |
$25,000.00 Order |
| 014071 BENET, WILLIAM ROSE [DOROTHY PARKER]. AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED (ANS). The front free endpaper from an unidentified book (4-3/4" x 7-3/4") with an 1851 owner name at the top and on the bottom half a SIGNED INSCRIPTION from one poet to another: "--and then, in a new century, to/Dorothy Parker from William/Rose Benet, this winter Aconite/or New Year's gift/Vinum tuum bibe cum gaudio/January 1927."Very Good (Dorothy Parker, Modern Firsts, William Rose Benet, Modern Poetry, Association, Letter, Autograph Letter, Signed) |
$150.00 Order |
| 014018 BESTON, HENRY. TWO AUTOGRAPHED LETTERS SIGNED (ALSS). The less interesting letter is a brief and chatty two-page letter with envelope to an English professor at the University of Maine dated 12 June 1958 and SIGNED as "Henry" from Chimney Farm in Maine. The more interestingfour-page letter, dated 10 December 1948 and also SIGNED as "Henry," is to John Richards, head of the English Department at St. Paul's School in Concord and grandson of Julia Ward Howe, and concerns Richards's reaction to Beston's recently published NORTHERN FARM. A CHRONICLE OF MAINE. Beston begins, "What a beautiful letter, even such a letter as makes a writer feelwith all grateful reverence that he has done something with the gift the Divine Mystery gave him for his own. One must indeed fling down and spin onthe world's table the gold or silver penny!" Regarding reviewers' comments on "philosophical teaching," Beston states, "When man becomes overcivilized, he ceases to be man, and when he loses his religious awareness, he becomes as I said in a later paper, a 'cosmic outlaw,' reallya dread figure, like some dark figure out of the apocalypse."Fine, with excellent content. (Henry Beston, Modern Firsts, Signed, Natural History, Autographs, New England, Massachusetts, Cape Cod, Letters) |
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| 014074 BOURJAILY, VANCE. ARCHIVE OF 3 AUTOGRAPHED LETTERS SIGNED (ALSS), 1 TYPED MANUSCRIPT SIGNED (TMS), AND 3 TYPED LETTERS SIGNED (TLSS). Interesting collection of letters from the 1970s to a bookseller mostly about his own books. Examples: "Thanks for the information about THE GIRL IN THE ABSTRACT BED. It may be the Schneebaum silk screens they like rather than the Bourjaily text." There is much discussion about his book, THE UNNATURAL ENEMY, of which he owned or could buy 3000 copies, and turning 1000 of those into a signed limited edition. Included is a SIGNED TYPED MANUSCRIPT mock-up of the limitation page. In another letter he asks about the value of an old book he has giving a rather elaborate descriptionof it.Very Good to Near Fine, with two envelopes. (Vance Bourjaily, Modern Firsts, Signed, Manuscript, Autographs, Manuscripts, Archives, Letters) |
$500.00 Order |
| 014028 BRAINE, JOHN. ARCHIVE CONSISTING OF 3 MANUSCRIPTS AND 5 LETTERS. 1966-1982.Fine group of material by the author of ROOM AT THE TOP, one of the notable"Angry Young Man" novels of the 1950s. It was made into a film in 1959 that was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won for Best Actress (Simone Signoret) and Best Screenplay. Included here is a 17-page TYPED MANUSCRIPT (incomplete) from 1966 on Arnold Bennett with ink corrections by Braine along with a 3-page TYPED MANUSCRIPT for the introduction to the piece. Both are accompanied by letters from Braine SIGNED as John, one in holograph and the other typed. Also included is an 11-page AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT SIGNED of a television play titled WE OUGHT TOWEAR A LABEL, with a letter of introduction by Braine. There is a two-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED to Peter (also the recipient of the Arnold Bennett material) regarding a series on British television called BEST SELLERS, "a series about books, and it's interesting precisely because it doesn't talk down to the viewer." Finally there is a 6-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED on three sheets with a huge signature filling about half a page. It is addressed to Paul Furness and comes with the original envelope. Braine mostly discusses pubs. In part: "None of the pubs I used in Bradford and district were as far as I know political meetingplaces. Tho' The Mark of Erin in Westgate where I was born was once reputed to be an IRA hangout."Very Good to Fine (John Braine, Modern Firsts, Signed, 20th C. Brit. Lit., Autographs, British Literature, Angry Young Man, Archives, Letters) |
$2500.00 Order |
| 014020 BUCK, PEARL. SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH. A 5" x 7" portrait of the Nobel Prize winning author SIGNED by her including her middle initial on the lower white margin. Buck is shown looking down at a small oriental figure. An attractive photograph by Clara Sipprell used fairly frequently by Buck's publisher John Day.Fine (Pearl Buck, Modern Firsts, Nobel Prize, Signed, Women's Literature, Signed Photograph, Autographs) |
$300.00 Order |
| 014021 BUCK, PEARL. SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH. Uncommon 8" x 10" portrait of the Nobel Prize winning author INSCRIBED (possibly in a secretarial hand) and SIGNED by her including her middle initial on the light right margin: "To--'America Speaks to Poland'. The photograph of a pensive Buck with folded hands looking to the side is by a Stockholm photographer Ben-Kow (sp?). On the verso is an ink note indicating that it was used for publicity purposes.Fine (Pearl Buck, Modern Firsts, Nobel Prize, Signed, Women's Literature, Signed Photograph, Autographs) |
$500.00 Order |
| 014007 CHEEVER, JOHN. TYPED LETTER SIGNED (TLS). Ossining: 7 August 1979.On personal stationery SIGNED in full, only one sentence, but a good one: "It is as easy, as my father used to say of procreation, as blowing a feather off your knee."Fine (TLS, Modern Firsts, Fiction, Literary Firsts, Letters, Letter, Signed, John Cheever, Autographs) |
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| 014061 COWARD, NOEL. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS) WITH FINE THEATER CONTENT. [London]: 29 July 1941.Splendid AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED on 17 Gerald Road, S.W.1. letterhead on one side but for the last sentence, closing, and very large SIGNATURE on the verso. To Robert Bishop, in full: "I was very interested to get your nice letter. I had a miniature theater when I was younger than you & I have never forgotten all the pleasure it gave me. I think, taken all round, it is a good plan to go to a training school such as [?] [?]-- although I did not do so myself. I rather advise it as it is so much easier to get an opening through a school than on one's own. Anyway, all good luck to you." Accompanied by three letters from Coward's secretary to Bishop.Normal creases from folding. Near Fine (Noel Coward, Theater, Autographs, Signed, Theatre, British Literature, Letter, Modern Firsts) |
$500.00 Order |
| 014013 D., H. [HILDA DOOLITTLE]. TYPED LETTER SIGNED (TLS) WITH BRIEF AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED (ANS). Fine one-page letter on 5-3/4" x 8" paper dated March 29 to "O.B." (Oswell Blakeston) SIGNED in pencil as "H. D." "with all Easter greetings." Accompanied by a sheet of H. D.'s personal stationery INSCRIBED "O. B. & Max L H. D." In part: "How very, very kind of you to have sent me the beads with Bryher's turtle.... They are charming and a special good-luck gift, I feel, as I have just finished corrections on a long HELEN to go to America. I am very happy about this poem though I am sure no one will read it, it is not enough 'early H.D.', but the joy we get from our own creative out-put is really the important thing." Briefly engaged to Ezra Pound, H. D. eventually married fellow Imagist poet Richard Aldington. Before that, in 1918, she became involved with Bryher (Annie Winnifred Ellerman). They lived together until 1946 and continued their relationship until Doolittle's death in 1961. Blakeston edited CLOSE UP magazine, founded by Bryher and Kenneth Macpherson, from 1927 to 1933. Max was his longtime partner, the artist Max Chapman.Fine (Modern Poetry, Signed, Modern Firsts, H.D., Hilda Doolittle, Imagism, Letter, Autograph, Oswell Blakeston) |
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| 013997 DOS PASSOS, JOHN. AUTOGRAPH/TYPED MANUSCRIPT SIGNED: ESSAY TITLED "SOCIALISM ALSO HAS ITS CONTRADICTIONS". [1945].Manuscript consisting of nineteen unlined 8-1/2" x 11" pages both typed and handwritten by Dos Passos and SIGNED by him at the top of the first page. Includes numerous corrections in pencil and ink amounting to hundreds of words in Dos Passos's hand. Although it is not dated, Dos Passos refers to World War II several times including a reference to prisoners of war that indicates the war was still going on when this was written. We were unable to find a publication of this essay, at least as titled here. An excellent and scarce working MANUSCRIPT by a major American author about a subject important to him. Housed in a new half burgundy morocco slipcase with cloth chemise.Near Fine in handsome case and quite scarce. (John Dos Passos, Modern Firsts, Signed, 20th C. Amer. Lit., Autographs, Manuscripts, Manuscript, Manuscript Essay, Socialism) |
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| 014072 DOTY, MARK. AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT SIGNED (AMS) AND AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS). A SIGNED letter forwarding a SIGNED fair-copy Manuscript, both dated December 1995. The manuscript is of the poem "No" and fills two unlined, high quality 8-1/2" x 11" pieces of stationery, the same as the letter. Horizontal crease down center from mailing.Near Fine (Mark Doty, Modern Firsts, Manuscript, Modern Poetry, Letter, Autograph Letter, Signed) |
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| 014044 DREISER, THEODORE. SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH. A Fine 7" x 9-1/4" informal photographic "head shot" portrait of a seventy-year old Dreiser with a smile bordering on a laugh. INSCRIBED and SIGNED at the bottom with fine contrast: "To lovely Helen/with love and/admiration-/from T.D./Hollywood/January--/1942." Helen Richardson firstmet Dreiser in 1919 and married him in 1944. Dreiser left his entire estateto her in his will and, after her death in 1955, she was buried next to him. In 1942, however, Dreiser and Helen were often apart with Dreiser often romantically involved with another woman. Just a few months after inscribing this photograph to his future wife, Dreiser had an eleven-day fling with one of his ardent female admirers. Still, Dreiser's inscription captures the great feeling he had for Helen from the beginning. W. A. Swanberg in his biography DREISER sums up well their relationship: "Although he still threatened at times to leave her, Dreiser needed Helen for survival, Helen knew that he needed her, and he knew that she knew" (p.478).About Fine with a supberb association. (Theodore Dreiser, Modern Firsts, Association, Signed, Inscribed, Literary Autographs, Literary Photograph, Signed Photograph, Autographs) |
$1500.00 Order |
| 014060 ELIOT, T. S. TYPED LETTER SIGNED (TLS). Cambridge: 7 March 1933.One-page letter of @100 words on Eliot House, Cambrdige stationery dated 7 March 1933 SIGNED by the poet. Addressed to The Reverend Harold G. Arnold responding to an invitation to speak to the Boston Association of Ministers: "I confess, however, that my real difficulty, as, if I may say so, a rather fanatical Catholic, is what subject I could talk about to such an Association." Eliot had returned from England to Harvard at the time to accept the Charles Eliot Norton professorship. In 1927 he had converted to Anglicanism and dropped his American citizenship to become a British subject.Creases from folding, some wear along edges. Very Good (Typed Letter, Signed, Modern Firsts, T. S. Eliot, Modern Poetry, Religion, Catholicism) |
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| 014066 FORSTER, E. M. [FORSTER, EDWARD MORGAN] AND ACKERLEY, J. R [ACKERLEY, JOE RANDOLPH]. LETTER SIGNED (LS). Cambridge: 20 Dec. 1965.Addressed to his cousin by marriage, Flossie (Florence Whichelo), the two-page holograph letter is in the hand of Forster's friend, author J. R. Ackerley, who SIGNS "Joe's love" and is also SIGNED "Love as always, Morgan." Forster thanks Flossie for various gifts and talks about Christmas plans. Early in their relationship Forster got Ackerley a position as secretary to a Maharaja he knew from writing A PASSAGE TO INDIA. Ackerley based his comic memoir HINDOO HOLIDAY on these experiences.Fine (E. M. Forster, E. Morgan Forster, Autographs, Signed, J. R. Ackerley, British Literature, Gay Literature, Letter, Modern Firsts) |
$350.00 Order |
| 014063 GINSBERG, ALLEN. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS) TO WILLIAM BURROUGHS. (Seattle): 28 August 1965.Superb AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED on the verso of a postcard of the Public Market Center in Seattle using City Lights as a return address and sent to Burroughs care of Grove Press. In full: "Dear Bill-- out in Frisco awhile,& visited Big Sur, then spent $2000 and bought a Volkswagen 1964 Camper--like a transisterized trailer-- now I'm a householder!-- and went up here thru Crater Lake & 2 days backpacking on Mt. Rainer & we'll go on foot 8 days into Olympia or Cascade Mountains -- Seattle a lovely 1920s America city -- great Goodwill Shops & 2'nd Hand Clothes & Tamborine [sp] markets-- I'll weave with Peter [Orlovsky] across states to N.Y. in a monthor more. I'm up here with Gary Snyder before he goes to Japan again-- How long you be around? I see the Heat is closing in on me(?)-- Love Allen. We saw Beatles Concert in Portland." Wow!Fine (Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs, Association, Modern Firsts, Modern Poetry, Beats, Letter, Signed, Gary Snyder) |
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| 014024 GREY, ZANE. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS) TO HIS WIFE. New York: March 1908.A three-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED as "Pearl" (Grey was born Pearl Zane Gray) to his wife "Dolly" on three sheets of illustrated New Grand Hotel stationery with envelope postmarked March 1908. Grey discusses his rotten position: "I'm afraid I can't have Outing publish my book until everybody's got good and ready to let me.... And I, like an idiot signed that paper, which legally gives them the right to my photographs. Why didn't you or Murphy see that? If they don't choose to use the story & pictures I can't get the book published at all. It's most damnably sickening. I don't know what to do.... For a measly little hundred dollars I have about queered my chances.... Murphy says it will work out allright [sic]. I hope so, but tonight I can't see anything but black. Will be on the mountain tomorrow." Zane Grey decided to become a writer just five years before this letter when he wrote a fishing story that appeared in RECREATION MAGAZINE. Outing published Grey's third book, THE LAST OF THE PLAINSMEN, in 1908 complete with Grey's photographs. It was based on a trip Grey made out West with Col. "Buffalo" Jones in 1907. This trip was the turning point in Grey's life, but his book about Jones and his experiences in the Grand Canyon was not successful. It would be a few more years before Grey became a success with RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE. An outstanding early letter revealing the torment of a struggling writer.Folds from mailing, still about Fine, with envelope. (Zane Grey, Modern Firsts, Westerns, Western Fiction, Letters, Letter, Signed, American West, Autographs) |
$1500.00 Order |
| 014025 GREY, ZANE. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS) TO HIS WIFE. Long Key, FL: 29 Jan. 1912.A one-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED as "Doc" to his wife "Dolly" with fine content on Florida East Coast Hotel Co./Long Key Fishing Camp stationery with envelope. In full: "It sure is hunting my forgotten birthday! Let's see. I'll be 38. Gee! I feel old. But maybe its this damned languorous climate. I've been eating too much, also. There isn't any news. The sun shines, the winds blow, and time flies. I'll be home soon again. I have not been fishing yet. This matter of work begins to drag on me. If I don't work I'm unhappy. Yesterday I wrote some of the scenario of the play. I've somehow lost confidence since I read that play book. But things will come to a head soon. I'm glad for this past week. I seem to be my old self again. Aren't you glad? I'd appreciate a letter from you occasionally. You'll be mad when you see that all this fat [?] letter is not a love letter to you. With love to all, Doc." Superb letter mentioning his two loves--fishing and writing--addressed to his other love.Folds from mailing, still about Fine, with envelope. (Zane Grey, Modern Firsts, Westerns, Western Fiction, Letters, Letter, Signed, American West, Autographs) |
$1000.00 Order |
| 014026 GREY, ZANE. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS) TO HIS SON. Roseburg, OR: 25 June 1935.A fine two-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED as "Dad" to his son Romer on colorful Zane Grey Camp stationery with envelope. In part: "I've been gone 10 days, and have received only one wire from home. No letters! Pyramid Lake was the bunk. It's all right for big shots who are dumb, but not for me. There were some peachy divorcees there.... We trolled for hours - for nothing.... You should always be sure of your ground before you steer anyone up against anything.... We are here in camp, and it's lovely.... No fish yet. The river is about 18 inches high, and sure is hell. There are a few steelhead coming up, so we hear. But I haven't seen any.... By July 15 fishing should be good."Folds from mailing, still about Fine, with envelope. (Zane Grey, Modern Firsts, Westerns, Western Fiction, Letters, Letter, Signed, American West, Autographs) |
$1000.00 Order |
| 014027 GREY, ZANE. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS) TO HIS SON. Liverpool: A one-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED as "Dad" to his son Romer on Hotel Mersey letterhead, written in dark pencil. A full-page letter of instructions on how to arrange his travel plans apparently to connect with his father.Folds from mailing, still about Fine. (Zane Grey, Modern Firsts, Westerns, Western Fiction, Letters, Letter, Signed, American West, Autographs) |
$250.00 Order |
| 014023 [GREY, ZANE] GREY, MRS. ZANE. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS) TO ZANE GREY FROM HIS WIFE. New York: A four-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED as "Dolly" and addressed to "Doc," entirely in pencil. Mrs. Zane Grey discusses being ill and being in New York with their children: "Amelias says N.Y. reminds her of the Orange Co. Fair!" She mentions her developing telepathic powers: "However, I better not tell you all this. You might get frightened & never come home again. However, I can tell you this. Somehow you never fall in my estimation because the contents of your mind are clear to me.... Listen-- don't ever attempt to give away any of the pictures of me with the children. You've given your friends about everything that is mine, but you can't give them my picture.... I do love you, dear. Don't ever forget it. It may have manifested itself in peculiar ways at times, but I've stuck through thick & thin, & that's the reason. Ever yours, Dolly." Also included are two typed letters from Grey's publisher Harper & Brothers dated 1910 and 1915 regarding a request for dramatic rights to THE HERITAGE OF THE DESERT and selling copies of his novels.Folds from mailing, still about Fine. (Zane Grey, Modern Firsts, Westerns, Western Fiction, Letters, Letter, Signed, American West, Autographs) |
$100.00 Order |
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