April 3, 2004, The Spring Manuscript and Collectibles Auction
Sale 24
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| 394 Cooper,
James Fenimore (1789-1851) American novelist and social critic, known
for the five novels, The Leatherstocking Tales, as well as The
Last of the Mohicans, Deerslayer, and others. Check Signed
("J. Fenimore Cooper") and engrossed by himself, Cooperstown, New
York, April 23, 1840, 2¼ x 5¾ in. Written on his Otsego County Bank
account and made payable to "self." Some uneven toning, edge chips and red
cancellation stamp, affecting two letters of the bold signature. Matted
and framed with a hand-tinted engraving from a Brady daguerrotype to an
overall size of 16 x 12¾ in. Estimated Value $400-500. |
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| 395 Coward,
Noel (1899-1970) English actor, playwright, and composer. Autograph
Letter Signed ("Noêl") on stationery from Alfred House (Nursing
Home), London, September 29, 1934, 5 pp, 8 x 6 in. A wonderful letter from
Coward to Edna Ferber, describing the actors in The Royal Family
(or Theatre Royal), a play written by Ferber and George Kaufman and
directed by Coward. In part: "Ferber my little darling, This is just to
tell you we have had an last Dress Rehearsal & it looks pretty good.
Larry Olivier is playing Tony for the 1st two weeks on the road & is
marvellous....I think you'd be delighted with the whole cast with one
notable exception & that is W. Graham Browne...who, owing to being
very old indeed & unable to act at all...will present to a resigned
public one of the most degraded characterisations of the modern
Theatre....Marie Tempest will not appear without him & she is beyond
words superb as Fanny....I am better now...& shall join the play...in
Glasgow & devote the last two weeks on the road to polishing up....I
think "The Royal Family" ("Theatre Royal") is one of the most superbly
written & brilliantly constructed plays that I have ever had anything
to do with...." Estimated Value $500-700. |
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| 396 Coward,
Noel. Autograph Letter Signed ("COVARR") on Les Avant sur
Montreux letterhead, no date, 1 pg, 8 x 5¾ in. Written in tiny script to
novelist Edna Ferber ("Darling Ferb"). In part: "I had a proper
examination...and the surgeon advised an operation for next year...I have
...to give up Lady Nicotine...which is Hell....During these dolorous weeks
I can't begin to tell you what joy 'One Basket' [a collection of 31
short stories by Ferber] brought me. They all are very very good....I
can't go through them all because I have work to do Edna Ferber. I can't
just sit and writing Fan letters and idling away the days like you do. or
do you? I have Lady Rebecca West and the ? in the house and they love you
very much indeed....Expect the sky to lighten about mid-January...."
Estimated Value $400-600. |
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| 397 Crouse,
Russel (1893-1966) Playwright; co-wrote with Howard Lindsay hits such
as The Sound of Music and Life With Father. Autograph Letter
Signed ("Crouse"), New York, October 23, 1952, 4 pp, small quarto. To
novelist Edna Ferber, who seems to have questioned his liberalism. In
part: "...I know how you resent having given money to the Eisenhower
fund...I am enclosing a check for $200 for Volunteers for Stevenson....I
have not yet made up my mind...There are two fine men running for
President...But the issue is not one of personality....I now question the
wisdom of returning the Democratic party to power....I question the
ability of the Republican party to take over our government. These
decisions I must fight out in my soul....I hope you deplore...anyone
questioning my liberalism even if I do vote for Eisenhower...There are
liberal Republicans just as there are reactionary Democrats...." More
excellent content. Very fine. Estimated Value $400-600. |
Edna Ferber Letter With Fabulous Show Boat Content |
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| 398 Ferber,
Edna (1887-1968) American author; 1924 Pulitzer prize winner. Typed
Letter Signed with initialed holograph note (New York), January 25, 1928,
1 pg., small quarto. To theater critic Bernard Sobel with wonderful
Show Boat content. In part: "Here are the two letters and some
pictures....This chap, Charles Hunter, is the leading man on the James
Adams Floating Theatre (no longer floating, poor thing) and his wife,
Beulah Adams is the leading lady, and a sister of the boat's owner. They
are simply grand!....I lived on their boat for four days--ate and slept
there, and floated down the rivers with them. The story of the wedding in
Show Boat (the novel, I mean) is the story of the Hunters' own marriage in
the little North Carolina church. The story of the miscegenation case is a
true story, and was given me by Hunter--one of the many river and show
boat stories he told me. If ever they come to New York I shall buy for
them the two best seats in the house, if I have to put out Otto Kahn to do
it." A penciled holograph note in the left margin says, "May I have
the letters & the pictures when you've finished? I want to keep them.
E.F." Estimated Value $1,000-1,500. |
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| 399
(Ferber, Edna) Doubleday, Nelson. Typed Letter Signed
("Nelson") on Doubleday, Doran, and Company letterhead, Garden City, N.Y.,
November 13, 1931, 1 pg. 8½ x 5½ in. Publisher Nelson Doubleday writes to
novelist Edna Ferber that he had sent a copy of her latest book,
American Beauty, to Rudyard Kipling and that Kipling liked it very
much. In part, "It was, and is, a great pleasure to me to see his
enthusiasm for the book and your great ability. I only wish I could quote
from the letter in our publicity and advertising but this cannot be. It
would be an infringement on friendship. I have had the photostat made of
the letter for you to tuck away among your treasures...." With a
holograph note by Doubleday. Extremely Fine. The photostat of Kipling's
flattering letter is concluded. In it, the British author states, "...I
don't think her own people realize her value as a historical painter -
yet. They will later." Nice content. Estimated Value $350-450. |
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| 400 Gorki,
Maxim (1868-1936) Pen name of Russian writer Aleksey Maksimovich
Peshkov. He rose from poverty, which he portrayed in stories of the
underside of Russian society. He was first president of the Soviet
Writers' Union and helped develop the official aesthetic of Socialist
Realism. Autograph Letter Signed ("A. Peshkov") in Cyrillic script,
on brown, ruled paper, no place (probably Italy, where he lived 1921-28),
June 7, 1921, 1 pg, 7¾ x 8¾ in. To Melin, regarding a list of books Gorky
was supposed to have received but had not. In part, "...I have not
received those books to this day...I do not understand where Maria put
them and I can't ask her about it because she left for Ravenna until the
6th...and I don't know her address...." A couple of small pinholes at
folds, else Fine. Estimated Value $900-1,200. |
Hart, William S. |
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| 401 Hart,
William S (1870-1946) First cowboy movie star; starred in silent films
such as Tumbleweed. Autograph Letter Signed ("Bill Hart"),
Horseshow Ranch, Newhall, California, March 30, 1945, 1 pg., quarto. A
very enthusiastic letter to James Montgomery Flagg, one of the 20th
century's most famous illustrators, best remembered for his World War I
recruiting poster of Uncle Sam, telling men, "I Want You." Flagg has
painted a portrait of Hart's wife, Mamie, for which Hart is sending a
check for $500, "I feel it will be best a drop in the bucket to the
gratification I know you and I feel over what you have done." Much of the
letter concerns how to display the portrait to its best advantage. A great
association between the cowboy star and the great illustrator. Extremely
Fine. Estimated Value $175-225. |
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| 402 Howe,
Julia Ward (1819-1910) American writer and reformer, best known for
writing Battle Hymn of the Republic; she was the first woman
elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Photo lithograph with an Autograph Quotation Signed: "All heights of life are wearisome to gain: Yield not for pleasure what you won with pain. Julia Ward Howe." The blind stamp of the photographer, J.E. Purdy & Co., is at lower left. The 4½ x 3¼ inch photo lithograph is on a 9½ x 7¾ inch page, which was taken from a first-rate book, as evidenced by the exquisite photo reproduction. The quotation and signature are along the lower edge. More writing is mostly obscured at lower edge, including a date that seems to be 1904, probably from trimming lower edge for framing. The page is toned and foxed but the writing is clear. Suitable for framing. Estimated Value $600-800. |
"Things are getting tougher and tougher in the theatre" |
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| 403
Kaufman, George S (1889-1961) Dramatist, critic, director;
twice Pulitzer prize winner. Typed Letter Signed ("George"), on
Barley Sheaf Far - Holicong, Pa. stationery, no date (Friday), 1 pg., 10 x
7¼ in. To novelist Edna Ferber, with whom he collaborated on a number of
successful plays between 1924 and 1948, including The Royal Family
(1927), Dinner at Eight (1932), and Stage Door (1936). In
part: "About any joint plans of ours. As we have both learned , we cannot
move until we have an idea that hits us - we never have been able to
compromise on that point, and of course we're right not to. Arbitrarily
setting a working time is no good. SO - my present notion is to spend a
little time in Hollywood this winter or spring. I want to get established
as a picture director, just so that I have that in reserve. Things are
getting tougher and tougher in the theatre; the plays have to be so damned
good; the casting problem is terrific; leading players will stay with you
only about three weeks, and then take the play with them when they go; the
unions are more and more difficult; Equity is talking about a $75 minimu
-- anyhow, I want to be prepared....Every day I say it can't last any
longer, and every day it does. This machine jumps, and so do I, at the
slightest provocation." Kaufman made some corrections in black ink. Very
Fine. A wonderful letter for the theater afficionado. Estimated Value $400-600. |
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| 404 Keller,
Helen (1880-1968) Blind, deaf, mute author, teacher and humanitarian.
Her inspiring life and relationship with her teacher, Anne Sullivan, were
memorialized in the film, Miracle Worker. Black and white
Photograph Signed in lower left corner, 8 x 10 inches. Stamped on verso
"...American Foundation for the Blind, New York, N.Y., 1956." A
three-quarter portrait of the inimitable Miss Keller. Estimated Value $600-800. |
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| 405 Keller,
Helen. Book Signed with sentiment, "Cordially yours Helen
Keller," no place, no date, on the title page of My Key Of Life.
Optimism: An Essay, London: Isbister & Company, 1904, 60 pages,
octavo. Deep acqua and gilt hard covers are worn but attractive.
Frontispiece of Miss Keller in a graduation gown and mortarboard (she
graduated from Ratcliffe College) is partially detached; remainder of
pages are tight and lightly toned. Originally pubished in 1903 as
"Optimism: An Essay." Estimated Value $350-450. |
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| 406 Lazar,
Irving "Swifty" (1907-93) Agent and deal-maker for celebrities, known
for his post-Oscar parties. Typed Letter Signed ("S")on personal
letterhead, Beverly Hills, California, December 3, 1965, 1½ pp quarto. To
novelist Edna Ferber three years before her death, with interesting
content. In part: "...I didn't have occasion to talk to you about the
offer we had on the television exhibition of SARATOGA [Ferber's 1941 novel
Saratoga Trunk]....Yes, it is lovely about YOU CAN'T TAKE IT
WITH YOU. And you are absolutely right about the publicity and credit
being given to George [Kaufman] and not enough to Moss [Hart]. We'll talk
about that when I see you next. I find that I am compelled to stay here
because of the pressure of negotiations.......Mary and I have taken a
house in Palm Springs....I had occasion to meet with Jack Warner the other
day on several matters and he introduced me to his new man, Richard
Lewine...I mentioned the McChesney stories and he was most interested and
I think perhaps, I will elicit a very interesting deal and I'll
communicate same to you...." Fine except for a couple of creased
corners and file notation at upper right. Estimated Value $300-400. |
H.L. Mencken's Rejection Slips |
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| 407
Mencken, Henry Louis (1880-1956) Satirist, editor, essayist,
critic, and journalist. Two Autograph Sentiments Signed and a collection
of six rejections slips kept by Mencken and sent to Edna Ferber. The first
sentiment says "Sweet dreams of thee. H. Mencken" on a 6 x 4 in.
piece of paper, no place or date. The second says, "What a thing is
love! M" on a 7 x 5½ in. lightly-toned purple piece of stationery, no
place or date; it comes with an envelope from The Smart Set, A Magazine
of Cleverness. Mencken was literary critic for The Smart Set
1908-24 and coeditor 1914-24. The six printed rejection slips,
probably from early in Mencken's career, come from The Black Mask,
The Parisienne, The Nation, Everybody's Magazine,
The Red Book/Blue Book/Green Book magazines, and The Smart Set
. All lightly toned, else Fine. Estimated Value $1,000-1,500. |
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| 408
Mencken, Henry Louis (1880-1956) American journalist and
writer. Typed Letter Signed ("H L Mencken") on personal, engraved
stationery, Baltimore, March 4, 1926, 5½ x 8½ in. He writes as founder and
co-editor of the American Mercury to Mr. Tudury. In part: "We
are printing an article on Carrie Nation...and one on Horatio
Alger...Davis and Webster...would scarcely make good material for short
articles...." Light toning and wrinkling; one faint fold transverses
Mencken's signature. Suitable for framing. Estimated Value $300-400. |
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| 409 O'Hara,
John (1905-70) American writer; author of novels such as
Butterfield 8 and Pal Joey. Typed Letter Signed on personal
letterhead, Princeton, N.J., April 9, 1968, 1 pg., 7¾ x 5¼ in. To novelist
Edna Ferber: "I caught SO BIG tonight on the television---not for the
first time---and I think they made a satisfactory picture of it. My
thoughts logically turned to you. and one of the thoughts I had was that I
wish you well and that I ought to tell you so." One of many warm,
personal letters Miss Ferber received from fellow writers. File note at
top right, else Very Fine. Estimated Value $400-600. |
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| 410 White,
William Allen (1868-1944) Pulitzer-prize winning journalist; author of
biographies; symbol of tolerance. Typed Letter Signed ("Will") on
The Emporia Gazette stationery (Emporia, Kansas), December 8, 1938, 4 pp,
7 x 6 in. To novelist Edna Ferber, with wonderful content. In part:
"Going back to your snort about Landon [Gov. of Kansas 1933-37 and
Republican nominee for President in 1936]....I...wrote him...and told
him to put adhesive tape on his mouth....He has not been up against the
anti-Semitic guns as I have....I have helped organize...associations
formed for promoting tolerance and my name is anathema to the whold
[sic] crowd....The Coolidge book is doing well [A Puritan in
Bablylon, published in 1933]....I realized that Coolidge was a
shrimp long before I began writing the book but it seemed to me when I
cast about for a contrasting figure when I desired to write a story of the
bull market that this slight, shy, drab, mean, sentimental, canny Yankee
made exactly the figure I needed. I would like to see Victor Moore play
Coolidge...as a rather tragic comedy of manners...." With envelope.
Very fine. Life magazine called White "a living symbol of
small-town simplicity and kindliness and common sense." Estimated Value $400-600. |
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| 411 Wilder,
Thornton (1897-1975) American novelist and playwright. Autograph
Letter Signed "Thornton, comte d'Hyde Park, Baron d'Englewood, Vidame
de 60th St, chevalier du Midway, prince d'univers et Portugal," New
Haven, May 1935, 8 x 6 in. A whimsical letter to novelist Edna Ferber:
"I don't call that being a victim; if there's one thing I like more
than another it's an earnest talk with a friend. I hope Isabel and I can
come up and have a cup of tea (façon de parler) at Fairfield. I saw you at
Miss Perry's and was just coming over to share my second-thoughts with you
and then you were gone. I wonder why all my paragraphs [made with symbol]
begin with I. I am devoted to you." Extremely Fine. Wilder won the
Pulitzer prize in 1927 for the novel San Luis Rey, in 1938 for the
play Our Town, and in 1942 for the play The Skin of Our
Teeth. His 1954 play The Matchmaker was made into the 1964
musical Hello, Dolly!. Estimated Value $600-700. |