MARGARET MITCHELL Typed letter from Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and author of Gone With the Wind, to Edwin Granberry (and wife), who wrote one of the first good reviews of her book. She discusses how sorry she is for not writing them sooner describing herself as "oafish of oafs", explaining how busy she has become and will send a lengthier letter when the time is allowed Autograph Letter Signed: "M. M. M", 4p, 7x11. No place, 1936 July 27. To "Mabel and Edwin" [Granberry, an early reviewer of Gone With the Wind]. In full: "You two have every right to think me the most oafish of oafs for not having written you sooner to thank you for sanctuary, good food and best of all, marvelous company. Each morning I've risen, bent on writing to you and, as Hell began to pop before I even got my coffee down, I'd think 'No, I'll wait till I get time for a long letter.' And the time hasn't come. I don't know when it will come as John and my brother Steve, after a five hour conference about this so-and-so contract, sprung on me tonight a plan to go to N.Y. tomorrow and settle the thing in person. I have no clothes, no hats, not a change of underwear or an extra pair of stockings, but it seems that I'm going to N.Y. read more...

J. D. SALINGER The author of The Catcher in the Rye signed this typed and framed letter with just his first name Typed Letter Signed: “Jerry”. One page. 8x9½ of letter visible. Dated June 20, 1962. Sent to “Ned”. Message in part: “Many thanks for sending those sales figures. I haven't quite broken the code yet, but it makes absorbing reading anyway. I'm very glad and thankful that sales have been that good. Also, I go on taking a deep and possibly unwholesome pleasure in the physical appearance of the book, the simple comeliness of the jacket, binding, print, margins, size, etc. Not less so, certainly, since the British hard-cover cheap edition arrived here”. Includes a plaque and black and white image of the author. J. D. Salinger (1919-2010), born Jerome David Salinger in New York City, wrote his first novel The Catcher in the Rye in 1951. It immediately became a Book-of-the-Month Club selection and won huge international acclaim. It still sells about 250,000 copies annually. read more...

J.D. SALINGER Exceedingly rare handwritten letter, instructions to his maid, signed by Salinger in 1989. Items autographed by the reclusive Salinger are very seldom offered for sale! This one offers unique insight into the author's frame of mind and personality. Exceedingly rare ALS: "J.D. Salinger", 1 page, 8½x11. No place but probably Cornish, New Hampshire, 1989 March 12. On his JSD monogrammed stationery to Mary. He tells her that before she leaves for her vacation she should do all her errands so that he would not have to be bothered with those activities, thanking her in advance. As many collectors are well aware, J.D. Salinger (1919-2010) was extremely guarded about his personal life, so much so that he sought injunctions against authors and autograph dealers attempting to publish his letters. J.D. Salinger's first novel, The Catcher in the Rye (1951) immediately became a Book-of-the-Month Club selection and won huge international acclaim. It still sells about 250,000 copies annually. His novellas, Franny and Zooey, were published in "The New Yorker" in 1955 and 1957, respectively. read more...

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. read more...

MARGARET MITCHELL She 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. Means that someone has bought the play or intends to produce it if they can get the right stars? We hope so ardently for the Lunts and can hardly wait to know what happens. read more...

J. D. SALINGER Remarkable 1989 typed letter to his division commander in World War II, signed as "Jerry Salinger," sharing with Colonel Reeder the type of personal information - including a past encounter with baseball Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk - which Salinger usually concealed so zealously. Typed Letter signed: "Jerry Salinger", 1 page, 8½x11. Cornish, New Hampshire, 1989 November 16. To "Dear Colonel Red", in full: "Hearing from Red Rider (your Fourth Division sobriquet, as it reached me anyway - 'Hey, did you hear Red Rider got hit.') Hearing from Red Rider may just possibly be my second and last claim to bonafide and hitchless fame, the other probably claim dating back some twenty years, when one of the three or four young guys who poured the new foundation for my new house went on to catch beautifully and almost without end for the Red Sox: one Carlton Fisk. I thank you so much for your letter, Colonel Red. And I thank you greatly for the invitation to drop by in 1990. I don't think I will be able to do that, because I'm doing my best, these days, to stay put; the better, at least theoretically, to hold concentration and see what I can do about finishing up things on and over and even under my desk. read more...

IN 1957, THE "KING OF THE BEAT GENERATION", "RARING TO TYPE BUT NO TYPEWRITER", ASKS HIS GIRLFRIEND TO SEND HIM REVIEWS OF HIS JUST-RELEASED ON THE ROAD   JACK KEROUAC. Rare ALS: "Jack" in pencil on verso of 5½x3½ 2-cent postcard. [Orlando, Florida 1957 October 14]. To his girlfriend, writer Joyce Glassman (later, Johnson). In full: "Dear Jerce-sweetheart-did you go out with Henri & Bob to celebrate Bold Ruler's victory in the 7th at Belmont?-I've just used all my penny postcards answering ALL my fan letters-Please lend me Al Hendricks POST & Others that I forgot in packing, I'll send them back...my mother doesnt (sic) believe anything....send reviews with mail-I slept & slept & FEEL GREAT-raring to type but no typewriter...play in my mind burning....My mother & I decided to move back to L.I. before Spring so I'll see you all the time-WRITE!" Handwritten postscript at right margin: "P.S. Important-I found missing notebook in my things, tell Lou-" At left margin, Kerouac has written: "Tell Leo send rolls C.O.D. read more...

MARK TWAIN AND "INSIDER TRADING" IN 1876: A MILLIONAIRE MINE-OWNER ADVISES HIM ON MINING STOCKS!   SAMUEL L. CLEMENS (MARK TWAIN). Autograph Letter Signed: "Mark", 4p, 5x8, conjoining leaves. No place, [1876] March 7. To Nevada journalist Dan DeQuille, pen name of William Wright. In full: "O, you good old slow-coach! D[ea]r Dan: I supposed that Mackey would be nearly all the time in San Francisco but thought you would consult him by telegraph or letter. I didn't suppose you would see the stock droop to 81 & then rise figure by figure, day after day & then write me at last that you were still waiting for that man to come, & the stock already crept up to 92! Why didn't you telegraph me? I hope you will telegraph me next time, if it costs me $50. Did telegraphing me or Mackey never once occur to you? When I saw California go away down into the 80's, 3 weeks ago, I came near telegraphing you to put in $1500 more for me. Well-never mind-it isn't any matter to bother over a thing that has already gone by. I hope you have bought by this time, on your own judgment, even if you have had to pay 125. read more...

HERMAN MELVILLE Author Herman Melville wrote this letter to publisher George P. Putnam from Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It accompanied a proof of one of his stories. Melville's signature is one of the rarest of all, and handwritten letters by him are highly desirable. Autograph letter signed "H Melville". 1 page, 4¾x7½, with embossing in top left corner. Pittsfield, Massachusetts, dated "Jan 27th". Addressed to George P. Putnam, Esq., 10 Park Place, New York City. In full: "Dear Sir: Re-enclosed is the proof [not included]. Very Truly Yours". We believe this letter was written between 1852 and 1855, when Putnam's publishing company G. Putnam Broadway was based at 1010 Park Place, New York City. Melville published a number of short stories through Putnam's Monthly Magazine during this time, including Bartleby the Scrivener (1853), The Encantadas, or: Enchanted Isles (1854) and Benito Cereno (1855). GEORGE PALMER PUTNAM (1814-1872, born in Brunswick, Maine) published many important American authors, like Melville, through his publishing house of G. Putnam Broadway, which later became G. P. read more...