MARGARET MITCHELL Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With the Wind, sends a letter to Edwin Granberry, who wrote one of the first good reviews of her book. In it, she discusses life as a celebrated author "has been such a hell". Typed Letter signed: "Margaret", 1p, 7¼x10¾. Atlanta, Georgia, 1936 October 29. On personal letterhead to Edwin (Granberry). In full: "I forgot to say in my last letter that I admired very much your tricky side stepping in that article you wrote. How neatly you evaded the fact that you not only stood in the station of a North Carolina hamlet and waited for me but you stood and stood and waited and waited. Dearie, till I die I'll get a laugh at the memory of that day with me getting madder and madder as I waited and you three loafing with your backs against the station while I charged in and out, addressing strangers, asking questions, bargaining with taxi drivers for the trip. Edwin, all the while I was up there with you all, I let you talk about my work. Make up your mind that when next I see you, it will be your work that will be talked about.
MARGARET MITCHELL Writing to friend and fellow author Edwin Granberry, she complains of the constant invasions of her privacy following publication of Gone With the Wind; Typed Letter signed: "Margaret", 1 page, 7¼x10½. No place, no date, but undoubtedly written from her home in Atlanta in the late in the late 1930s, before the appearance of the film. On personal letterhead to Edwin and Mabel Granberry in full: "I've been intending to write to you for a long time - but you see how far my wants have gotten me. The reason was that when I went to N. Y. to see about the movie contract, my over strained eyes practically gave up the ghost. Herschel B [Brickell, a friendly literary critic], loaded me on the train in a bad way and since that time (up until a week ago) I've been lying in a dark room with a black bandage over my eyes. No, there's nothing seriously wrong and I'm writing you all to tell you so far already the rumor is out that I've gone blind. I wouldn't like for you to hear that and not know the truth. My eyes just needed a rest and so did I. Now I have new glasses and can see very well. It may be some time before I can do any reading or writing but I'm glad enough at being out of the dark.
MARGARET MITCHELL and BRAM STOKER A unique collection of letters by two legendary authors! This set includes a typed letter, signed by Gone With the Wind author Margaret Mitchell in 1941, to the wife of a hospitalized friend. In it, she relates how reading Dracula helped her husband John Marsh recover from an illness: "Evidently the shock was beneficial, fro he began to get well the next day." Accompanied by a 1903 handwritten letter by Stoker. Comprises: (1) MARGARET MITCHELL. Typed Letter Signed: "Margaret", 2p, 6½ x 9½. Atlanta, Georgia, 1941 February 13.To Mabel Granberry. In full: "I cannot tell you how joyful and relieved we were to have your letter of February 11th written from the hospital. I read your letter at least six times to make sure I wasn't being guilty of wishful thinking. How good it is to know that Edwin is 'likely to have good vision in both eyes.' What you and Edwin, Senior and Edwin, Junior must have suffered recently is something I do not like to contemplate. It seems to me that I have spent years in hospital rooms and draughty hospital corridors with seriously ill friends and relatives, so I can understand a little what you have undergone.
MARGARET MITCHELL Writing to friend and literary ally Edwin Granberry the year she won the Pulitzer Prize, she declares herself "yearning for battle" against "lawsuits, racketeers and chiselers". The author of Gone With the Wind laments that "there are so few novels about happy married life." Typed Letter signed: "Margaret", 2 pages (front and verso), 7¼x11. Atlanta, Georgia, 1937 August 8. On personal letterhead to ""Dear Mabel and Edwin", [Granberry], in full: "Yesterday I sent Edwin, Jr. 'Microbe Hunters' and "two Little Confederates' and if they do not arrive shortly, please let me know and I will get behind the book store. I hope he likes them both. I found that John, during my absence, had not been devoting his time to riotous living and making the most of his opportunities. He and my brother had worked every night - and all night - on this and that and both looked tired and frayed. The suit against Billy Rose isn't to open tomorrow due to a delay in drawing up the papers and the suit against the Dutch pirate is also held up due to some complication or other but the opening guns of both should begin in a week or so.
STEPHEN CRANE The author of The Red Badge of Courage writes from England, where he had settled two years earlier. Calling Card Signed: "Yours faithfully/ Stephen Crane/ March 16, 1899", on verso of his personal 3x1½ card, printed: "Stephen Crane./ Brede Place./ Sussex” (not visible in frame). Also includes a black and white 3x4½ photograph of the author, 2x3½ visible. America's foremost "naturalistic" author Stephen Crane (1871-1900) moved to England in 1897. Although Crane never served in the military, he won international acclaim with The Red Badge of Courage, his 1895 book that told the story of a young soldier during the American Civil War. He later served as a war correspondent, covering the Greco-Turkish War (1897) and Spanish-American War (1898) for foreign newspapers. Crane's signature is virtually unobtainable in any form. The one offered here is especially desirable as it was penned by him on his calling card. Crane suffered from tuberculosis and died in a German sanitarium the year he signed this card. He was 28. Card lightly toned. Otherwise, fine condition. Framed in the Gallery of History style: 20½x11.
MARGARET MITCHELL A long personal letter to friend and fellow author Edwin Granberry, mentioning several literary friends and the exigencies of life in wartime Typed Letter signed: "Margaret", 3 pages, 7¼x10. Atlanta, Georgia, 1942 September 21. On personal letterhead to "Dear Mabel and Edwin" [Granberry], in part: "I have been laying off to write to you for the longest and foolishly postponed doing so until I could write a long letter. That time may never come, and so I am grabbing this opportunity while the house painters are out at lunch. … I've just come back from a quick trip to New York where John had to be on business. The only people I saw were the Clifford Dowdeys, who asked to be remembered to you. Clifford has been having fits trying to get into the army, with no luck so far because his eyes are bad. He has almost finished a new novel , which is about Memphis or Natchez in the 1830's. He told me news of Kenneth Littauer which I am passing on to you. He has been in the air corps for nearly a year, with the rank of major. His address is Headquarters 21st Bomb Group, MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida.
DASHIELL HAMMETT Signed and notarized 1930 contract selling Paramount the rights to one of his stories Typed Contract signed: "Dashiell Hammett", 4 pages, 8½x11, separate sheets. No place, but County of Los Angeles, 1930 November 26. Contract between Hammett and Paramount Publix Corporation regarding the sale of the rights "to an original story entitled AFTER SCHOOL written by the seller [Hammett]." Hammett was paid "the sum of Five Thousand ($5000.00) Dollars, receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged." Countersigned by the Executive Manager of Paramount Publix Corporation. Lightly creased. Nicked at upper right blank corner of first page, file holes at blank left margins. Fine condition. Accompanied by typed notarized statement signed: "Alfred A. Grosser" as Notary Public, 1 page, 8½x11. Attesting that "personally appeared DASHIELL HAMMETT, personally known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument...." Lightly creased, chipped at upper right blank corner. File holes at blank left margin. Fine condition. After School became City Streets, released in 1931 and starring Gary Cooper.
MARGARET MITCHELL Mitchell, always shy about the spotlight on her following Gone With the Wind, confides to friend and fellow author Edwin Granberry that "it is tempting fate to ever write a book or a play. If you do, everything except a plague of grasshoppers arrives." Typed Letter signed: "Margaret", 2 pages (front and verso), 7¼x10½. Atlanta, Georgia, 1941 November 11. On personal letterhead to "Dear Mabel and Edwin" [Granberry], in full: "We were very distressed to learn of your illness, Mabel, and I was glad to see Fred Hanna at a party Sunday night and learn that you really were up and about. Don't you think you Granberrys have managed all the plagues of Egypt now? I never knew any family, except us, to have as much trouble. (And, as Michael Arlen remarked in 'The Green Hat,' 'the Marches are never let off of anything.') Things are well with us now but I remember, with no pleasure, the first five years we were married when everyone in our family seemed to have something happen to them. Perhaps it is something all couples must go through with, but I hope the Granberrys are really through now. Edwin, you know it is tempting fate to ever try to write a book or a play.
LORD BYRON Rare, signed autograph letter from 1814, to lifelong friend and fellow poet Francis Hodgson, discussing Byron's impending visit. Rare ALS: "Byron", 1 page, 7x9. No place, 1814 July 18.To Mr. Hodgson.In full: "Tomorrow (Tuesday) or Wednesday at farthest expect in all -- Capt. Byron (whom you know or will know) accompanies us. If there is not convenient room - we can dispose of him at the Hostel. Excuse haste -- in the hope of seeing you&c&c." Handwritten postscript: "P.S. Many thanks for today's epistle. I shall be happy to see you so." LORD GEORGE GORDON BYRON, 6th Baron Byron of Rothdale, wrote this letter to Reverend FRANCIS HODGSON (1781-1852), a poet and scholar whom he had met when he began studying at Trinity College in Cambridge in October 1805.By the time this letter was written, Byron had been lionized in Whig society after the 1812 publication of the first two of his four cantos of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1812-1818). The opening lines of the canto had first been written to Hodgson on board a ship bound for Lisbon.
MARGARET MITCHELL The author writes to close friend and fellow author Edwin Granberry about his new play, and mentions several prominent US actors and writers, including Alexander Woolcott and the Lunts. Typed Letter signed: "Margaret", 2 pages (front and verso), 7¼x10½. Atlanta, Georgia, 1941 February 3. On personal letterhead to "Dear Edwin and Mabel" [Granberry], in full: "The combination of Bretaigne Windust and Roual Pene duBois gave us as much delight as it did you. The show can't hep being 120 proof with two such names. I was inclined to agree with Frank Sullivan to agree with Frank Sullivan, however, and will have to see these two gentlemen myself before I believe in their names. We were so happy and proud at the good news and hope you will have time to keep us posted on progress. Naturally, we are bursting to know what the Lunts think. I am sorry they are on tour now because that will probably delay their decision, as their time is pretty well occupied with long jumps and one-night stands. Do I understand that the interest of Mr. W. and Mr. DuB.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY Handwritten 1936 manuscript likely intended for publication in Esquire magazine, vividly describing the horrors of war, with his third person signature in the text Autograph Manuscript signed in text: "Mr. Ernest Hemingway" in pencil, 1 page, 8½x11. No place, c. 1936. Headed by him: "Please Mr. Ernest Hemingway by Paul Harris, The American Criterion, Dec 1935, about 'letters' appearing monthly in Esquire…." Ernest Hemingway was a frequent contributor to "Esquire" magazine. He wrote a total 31 "letters" which were published in "Esquire" in the 1930s. In the September 1935 issue, he wrote: "Notes on the Next War: A Serious Topical Letter". This may be a rough draft of one of the 31 "letters". Hemingway has made an "X", crossing out the entire letter. In part: "Mr. Hemingway, you were at the front. You saw people die? I was ten and I saw people, I saw something in them die and they had to go on making believe they were alive still with their guts out of them. I saw people age.
JOHN STEINBECK. Steinbeck authorizes the French production of a war-time play. Typewritten contract signed: "John Steinbeck", 3p, 8x12½ Paris, France, 1947 February 24.John Ernest Steinbeck Jr. signed this contract, dated February 24, 1947, to permit Madame Rose Belin, the Director of the Saint George Theater, to finance productions of his play, The Moon Is Down, in France and Belgium. The contract also provided for the translation of the play into French. Steinbeck had written the play during World War II (1939-1945); it had opened on Broadway on April 8, 1942. After completing the play, Steinbeck immediately adapted it into a novelette with the same title. The Moon is Down deals with the Nazi occupation of a European country; Steinbeck wrote it as a contribution to the war effort while working with the Coordinator of Information, an agency created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) to combat Nazi propaganda with Allied films and literary works. The play was criticized in the United 
LORD BYRON His handwritten quotation from an epic Celtic poem by Ossian and his signature. Autograph quotation unsigned: "Motto to Neustein, Adieu. Why dost thou build the hall, Son of the winged days? Thou lookest from thy towers today; yet a few years, and the blast of the Desert comes, it howls in thy empty Court. - Ossian". 6¾ x3½ page. Accompanied byhis signature: "Byron", on a 2x1 slip of paper affixed to a 4½x2¾ card. GEORGE GORDON BYRON (1788-1824), the sixth Baron Byron, commonly known as Lord Byron was among the foremost English poets of the Romantic movement. Among his best-known works are the poems "She Walks in Beauty" (1814) and "So, We'll Go No More a Roving" (published 1830). Even more renowned are his narrative poems, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1818) and Don Juan, his 17-canto masterpiece (1819-1824). Byron was a political and social reformer, a defender even of the Luddites, but was also noted for his aristocratic excesses, which included huge debts, many love affairs and self-imposed exile from Britain (1816 to his death).
SAMUEL FRANCIS SMITH, FRANCIS SCOTT KEY, KATHERINE LEE BATES, IRVING BERLIN, AND SARAH M. WILSON Amazing collection of items signed by Americans who paid tribute to Old Glory. Framed collection consisting of: 1.) Sarah M. Wilson: Annotated Flag Signed. 4/1/1914. 10x6, red, white and blue silk U.S. American flag, made by Sarah M. Wilson (great granddaughter of Betsy Ross), signed on the white border, left side "Made by Sarah M Wilson great granddaughter of Betsy Ross/East Wing of Independence Hall Philadelphia April 1st 1914" Fine condition. 2.) Francis Scott Key: Autograph Check Signed "F.S. Key". In black ink, 6 x 2½. Paper check drawn on Corcoran and Riggs Bank, Washington City, in the amount of $100 payable to himself. Fine condition. 3.) Samuel Francis Smith: Annotated Poem Signed. 1 page, 4½ x 7½, printed copy of all 4 stanzas of his most famous poem "America" signed and dated at lower center at conclusion, "1832 S.F. Smith". Ornately bordered in black. Fine condition. 4.) Irving Berlin: Currency Signed "I. Berlin" WWII-era one-peso Philippine bank note picturing Mabini. 6 x 2½.
SAMUEL L. CLEMENS (MARK TWAIN) The author writes a humorous response to an autograph seeker. ALS: "Saml L. Clemens/Mark Twain," 1p, 5 x 8. Buffalo, 1871 February 17. To Miss Fannie Dennis, Brooklyn. In full: "To write an autograph is no trouble at all, when a body is used to it, but I never have tried to add a 'sentiment' in my life, & so I assure you it comes awkward enough. Therefore, let us judge just dodge the difficulty entirely & make use of somebody else's sentiment. Now I always admired that neat & snappy thing which good old John Bunyan said to the Duke of Wellington: 'Give me liberty, or give me death!' Isn't it pretty?" Fine condition. Accompanied by TLS: "Robert H. Hirst," General Editor, Mark Twain Project, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, regarding this letter. In part: "I cannot identify Fannie Dennis except to say that she was obviously an autograph collector and possibly a young one.Authors | Stock Certificates
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ALICE STONE BLACKWELL - STOCK CERTIFICATE SIGNED 07/07/1911 CO-SIGNED BY: FRANCIS J. GARRISON, CATHARINE WILDE - HFSID 226257ONE SHARE OF "THE PROPRIETORS OF THE WOMAN'S JOURNAL" CORPORATION OWNED BY THE NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION ALICE STONE BLACKWELL. Stock Certificate signed: "Alice StoneSale Price $637.50
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