12 minute read
Literature
Rare portrait of “the animal as he was”
688. Ambrose Bierce Signed Photograph. American writer
(1842–c.1914) best known for his vivid short stories (including the classic ‘An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge’) and his satirical ‘The Devil’s Dictionary.’ In 1913, while traveling with Pancho Villa’s troops during the Mexican Revolution, Bierce disappeared; his ultimate fate remains a mystery. Rare matte-finish 4 x 5.5 photo of the author by Prince of Washington, D.C., affixed to its original 6 x 8 mount, signed on the mount in ink, “Ambrose Bierce—1896,” and signed and inscribed on the reverse, “Dear Mr. Messinger, This is the animal as he was—I’ve no picture of him as he is. Sincerely yours, A.B., Washington, D., November 24, 1908.” In fine condition, with a few light scuffs on the reverse. Bierce is extremely rare in signed photos, this being an extraordinary example. Starting Bid $200
689. Philip K. Dick Typed Letter Signed. TLS signed “Love, Phil,”
one page, 8.5 x 11, September 14, 1981. Letter to science fiction author Patricia Warrick, in part: “Last night I came across the enclosed passage in a very long and difficult book on theology by Paul Tillich. I had no idea, none whatsoever, that the central vision in VALIS was a doctrine that Luther had invented...What Luther expresses here is precisely and exactly what I saw in March, 1974 that is put forth in VALIS as the ultimate vision.” Includes the referenced passage from Tillich’s work, A History of Christian Thought. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
“There should be no vacant seats in the Theatre”— Dickens stages a charity show
690. Charles Dickens Autograph Letter Signed. ALS, one page, 5 x 8, Office
of All the Year Round letterhead, November 3, 1866. Handwritten letter to Scottish journalist and dramatist Andrew Halliday, in full: “Pray do the paper you mention, by all means. I have done so much of the Xmas N:o myself (half of it), that I cannot as yet answer for what I can get in. But of your subject’s being in accordance with the plans, there is no kind of doubt. I have specially noted it among the mass of contributions now tumbling in.” In very good to fine condition, with some soiling, light overall creasing, and toning from prior display. Starting Bid $200
691. Charles Dickens Letter Signed. Printed form letter elaborately
signed in ink, “Charles Dickens,” one page, 5 x 8, September 8, 1845. Letter sent to “Miss Buckley,” in full: “If any unforeseen occurrence should arise, at any time between the date of this note and the occasion to which it refers, to prevent you from availing yourself of the enclosed Card of Invitation; I beg the favor of its return to me, immediately after your becoming aware of your inability to attend. I trouble you with this request, in deference to a general desire on the part of the Inviters that there should be no vacant seats in the Theatre, when many of their personal friends are necessarily excluded from it, at the best, in consequence of its small size.” In fine condition. A magnificent signature with an impressive paraph.
This letter evidently refers to the revival of Ben Jonson’s play Every Man in His Humour, mounted by Dickens and a group of his literary and artistic friends, in which Dickens himself played the blustering Captain Bobadil. It premiered in a ‘Strictly Private, Amateur Performance’ at Miss Kelly’s Theatre in London on September 20, 1845. Charity performances then followed in London and elsewhere, with one attended by Queen Victoria. Starting Bid $200
Lewis Carroll plans to present a finely bound Alice in Wonderland to the Duchess of Albany
693. Charles L. Dodgson Autograph Letter Signed.
ALS signed “C. L. Dodgson,” one page, 3.5 x 5.5, August 2, 1889. Handwritten letter to “Miss Maxwell,” Ethel Heron-Maxwell, the Lady of Honor of the Duchess of Albany, in charge of her children, Princess Alice and Prince Charles-Edward. In full: “They have been an enormous time, binding the copy of ‘Alice Underground’ which I hope to present to the Duchess: but they have promised to send it now, & expect to receive it today. What had I better do with it? As I see in the papers that H.R.H. is gone, or just going, abroad. Shall I send it to you to forward to her? Or is she so constantly moving about, that it would be better to keep it until she returns to England?” In fine condition. Starting Bid $300
694. Thomas Hardy Autograph Letter Signed. ALS, one page both sides, 4.5 x 3.5, Max Gate letterhead, July 24, 1910. Handwritten letter to Judge Vernon Lushington, in part: “I have been an unconscionably long time in answering your kind letter of congratulations…Many & sincere thanks for what you say. My wife also thanks you, & sends her best regards. I am sorry that I did not see you while I was in London, but everything moved so hurriedly that I missed many friends.” In very fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Hardy’s hand. Starting Bid $200
Jack Kerouac’s personally owned faith icon
Kerouac’s personally-owned icon of St. Paul, oil on copper plaque measuring 5.5 x 6.75, which depicts Paul the Apostle with halo and his martyr sword. The plaque is pierced near the top edge for hanging. In fine condition, with light overall wear. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by John Shen-Sampas, the executor of the Kerouac Estate by descent. John Shen-Sampas is the son of John Sampas, who was the brother-in-law of Jack Kerouac, and the brother of Stella Kerouac, Jack’s wife. Kerouac was a lifelong faithful Roman Catholic whose faith was instilled in him by his French-Canadian mother, Gabrielle-Ange Lévesque Kerouac (1895-1973). Starting Bid $200
7.75, February 21, 1996. Handwritten letter to school teacher Judy White and her students, in part: “I receive so many requests from teachers and students that I cannot possibly answer them, but I will tell you that I don’t lecture anywhere, not even in Boston, and I don’t have a photo of myself at all—otherwise, I’d send you one! Thank you for your most kind reaction to Mockingbird. It’s something to treasure forever.” Lee adds a brief postscript: “Yes, I did like the movie!” In very fine condition. Accompanied by the original hand-addressed mailing envelope. Starting Bid $200
Rare first edition of Now We Are Six signed by A. A. Milne
697. A. A. Milne Signed Book. Rare signed
book: Now We Are Six. First edition, first printing. London: Methuen & Co., 1927. Hardcover bound in original red cloth with gilt borders and illustrations on covers, 5 x 7.5, 103 pages. Signed on the title page in fountain pen by the author, “A. A. Milne.” Autographic condition: fine. Book condition: VG+/ VG, with bands of toning to endpapers, slightly bumped corners, trivial wear to spine ends, and minor adhesive remnants to front pastedown (likely a removed bookplate); dust jacket has several edge chips, a minor loss at front flap hinge, toned edges, spine darkened, and light soiling.
Illustrated by E. H. Shepard, Now We Are Six is a classic book containing thirty-five children’s verses by A. A. Milne about Christopher Robin, with the occasional appearance of the beloved Winnie-thePooh. Filled with gentle humor and playful rhythms, it is a classic of children’s literature. Starting Bid $300
Mitchell to a Gone With the Wind illustrator— “I am glad to know that Danish readers know of my appreciation for your work”
698. Margaret Mitchell Typed Letter Signed. TLS signed “Margaret Mitch-
ell Marsh,” one page, 7.25 x 11, personal letterhead, December 7, 1937. Letter to Danish cartoonist and illustrator Axel Mathiesen, in full: “Thank you so much for your picture. I am indeed happy to know what my ‘illustrator looks like’...I was very glad to learn that my letter to you was printed in the Berlingske Tidende, for I am glad to know that Danish readers know of my appreciation for your work.” In fine condition, with small stains to the upper right corner. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope. Starting Bid $200
Incredibly rare signed portrait of the Sierra Club founder
699. John Muir Signed Photograph. Naturalist and author (1838–1914) who gained the establishment of Yosemite National Park. Very rare vintage matte-finish 7.75 x 10.75 photo, originally done by J. Edward B. Greene in 1909, signed in the lower border in ink, “John Muir.” Reverse of the image bears several publication stamps and pencil notations. In very good to fine condition, with two red cropping notations to the image, a tear to the bottom edge passing through the opening stroke of the last name of the signature, loss to the corner tips, and scattered creases. Muir is scarce in signed photos. Starting Bid $200
Evading “cranks, etc.,” the reclusive Salinger opens a P.O. box under the pseudonym “John Boletus”
700. J. D. Salinger Document Signed. DS, signed “J. D. Salinger,” one page, 6 x 4, February 20, 1964. Official card from the Post Office in Cornish, New Hampshire, filled out by Salinger to open a post office box under the name “John Boletus,” printing the pseudonym in the “Name of Applicant” box, and signing in cursive at the conclusion, “J. D. Salinger.” An explanation is typed at the center: “Applicant is an author who is planning to have only mail addressed to the name above, which is a pseudonym, placed in the box to avoid having cranks, etc. taking advantage of the fact in their contact with the name Jerome Salinger. Mr. Salinger also uses the above name (Boletus) in business with the Windsor Co. Nat’l. Bank.” According to the card, the box was closed on July 16, 1987. In fine condition.
This remarkable document demonstrates Salinger’s famously reclusive nature—operating under a pseudonym to avoid “cranks”—as well as his encyclopedic knowledge of mushrooms. He likely chose the name because of its innuendo—boletus being a Latin name for mushroom, and one in the same kingdom/division/class as the ‘phallus’ mushroom. His frequent use of the pseudonym is referenced in the New Yorker article ‘A Night at the Movies’ by John Seabrook, and in Vanity Fair’s ‘Salinger in Love’ by Joyce Maynard. An extraordinary piece from the recluse writer. Starting Bid $500
Salinger responds to a reader of The Catcher in the Rye
701. J. D. Salinger Autograph Letter Signed. ALS signed “J. D. Salinger,” one page, 8.5 x 11, November 5, 1966. Handwritten letter to a Turkish student, expressing his delight to hear that she enjoyed reading his novel The Catcher in the Rye. In small part: “All that you say about the novel is good to hear. Thanks especially for the comment on the passages you liked best…My own preferences were very much the same.” Includes the original mailing envelope, addressed in his own hand and signed as part of the return address: “J. Salinger, Cornish, New Hampshire, U.S.A.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the student’s diary pages in which she records her reaction to reading The Catcher in the Rye (“I really liked that boy Holden. I pity him. Poor boy”), discusses sending the letter to Salinger at the encouragement of her teacher (with the text of her letter transcribed in the diary entry), and expresses her excitement upon receiving his reply. Starting Bid $500
702. Voltaire Letter Signed. LS in French, signed “Voltaire,” one page, 7.25 x 9, February 2, 1764. Letter written from his home at Ferney, sent to bookseller and magistrate Paul Vaillant, sheriff of London. In full (translated): “I have waited in vain, Monsieur, for the packet you announce to arrive in order to reply to your letter of the 16th of November. I have no news of it. Something must have gone wrong; I am finally going to write to Versailles for information, even though I have renounced all the world’s courts. I thank you for your report that was in your letter. It is rather comical that Lord Ferrers said his Pater on the gallows and that a man who is going to be hanged asks for his daily bread. For my part, being quite old, quite infirm, and nearly blind, I am content with saying, ‘Thy will be done.’” In very good condition, with creasing, edge tears, and seal-related paper loss to the integral address leaf. As sheriff in 1760, Valliant oversaw the execution of Laurence Shirley, 4th Earl Ferrers—the last peer to be hanged—following his conviction for murdering his steward. Starting Bid $300
Rare handwritten 18th-century travel guide of European antiquity by Horace Walpole
703. Horace Walpole Handwritten Manuscript. Fascinating unsigned
handwritten manuscript by Horace Walpole, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 6 x 8.5, no date. Walpole writes out instructions for seeing various sights in Italy and the south of France. In part: “At Narni, go to see the Bridge (1/4 of a mile out of the town) & meet the Chaise at the farther gate. The Cascades is between Tenni & Shettura…At Spoleto, a Triumphant Arch; but nothing extraordinary in it: not by the way we go. One sees ye Bridge, as well as it deserves, at a distance. Allevene: a little beyond ye Post House, in ye way, ye old Temple of Clitumnus (now a Church) & the pretty source of that River, as described by Pliny. At Foligno, a Pict: of Raphael. Ancona: the Fine Triumphal Arch, at the Port…Between Samoggia & Modena you pass by the Isle where Octavius, Antony, & Lepidus fix’d their Triumverate. At Venice; the Palazzo Grimani…Padua…a Madonna of Titian… Arles. Theater, Amphitheater, Tombs & Aqueduct, Townhouses & Constantine’s Palace. Avignon: Take a view from the Castle.” In very good condition, with partial fold separations, scattered foxing and soiling, and a rusty circular paperclip impression to the top. Starting Bid $200
