H. L. (HENRY LOUIS) MENCKEN - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 12/06/1928 - HFSID 252641

H. L. MENCKEN
American writer sends autograph and his regards
Typed Letter signed: "HL Mencken", 1p, 8½x5½. On personal letterhead. Baltimore, Maryland, 1928 December 6. To "Dear Mr. Holmes". In full: "I have your note of November 30th and it is a pleasure to send you an autograph herewith. When you see Hergesheimer again please give him my affectionate regards. Sincerely yours." American literary critic, humorous journalist and essayist Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956) gained national recognition as the reigning critic of manners and politics from the mid-1920s. He helped launch the careers of Theodore Dreiser and Sinclair Lewis and published manuscripts by Eugene O'Neill and Dorothy Parker. Mencken, who had co-founded and edited "American Mercury" from 1923-1933, he also contributed to such publications as the Baltimore Sun, The Smart Set, Chicago Tribune, New York American and Evening Mail. He was known for his critical ideas on Democracy, fundamental Christianity and The American South. Mencken openly attacked ignorance, intolerance and frauds. He recommended Ayn Rand's first novel We the Living for publication and she listed him as her favorite columnist. In 1919 he wrote The American Language a study of how the English language is spoken in the United States. In 1940, he began his autobiographical trilogy with Happy Days. Mencken used his sharp wit to skewer many politicians, but especially, as the above column demonstrates, President Franklin Roosevelt. Novelist and essayist Joseph HERGESHEIMER (1880-1954) was a friend of Mencken's. Lightly soiled. Otherwise, fine condition.