Literary Autographs and Memorabilia Gift Ideas

EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS Archive of 16 letters written by Tarzan's creator to his son Jack between 1923 and 1935, plus one letter from Burroughs to a film company. He writes in depth about family matters, but also about the filming of a Tarzan movie. The letters are signed "Papa" or "OB" (Old Burroughs). A rare insight into the private and public life of the prolific author. Collection comprised of 1) Autograph Letter signed: "Papa", 1 page, 8½x11. North Platte, Nebraska, 1923 February 16. To "Dear Jack", in full: "We are just leaving North Platte, Nebr. The train shakes so that I cannot draw very well. I couldn't if it didn't shake at all, so what's the difference. Did I tell you that I found your valentine in my grip? The one of the lady kicking. That must be the way she feels before breakfast. I wired ahead for reservations on the Broadway Limited on the Pennsylvania RR so we will arrive in New York at 9:40 Sunday morning. It will be nice & wintry and cold out. The air feels & tastes & smells good. Love & kisses to my dear children." At the top of this letter Burroughs has drawn a four-panel cartoon featuring his sons Jack and Hulbert.

DYLAN THOMAS Recently arrived in London, he signs a handwritten 1937 letter apologizing for his late reply. He's been too sick to "do anything except moon & moan about." ALS: "Dylan Thomas.", 1 page, 4½x7. 68, Parliament Hill, Hampstead, N.W. 3., 1937 December 9. On imprinted letterhead to Mr. Byron. In full: "I want to apologise for not having written to you before, explaining why I didn't come up to town the week I intended. I've only just arrived here, after nearly a month of poverty and bad health in the country, a time when I really couldn't write any letters at all or do anything except moon & moan about. Could we meet this week, or early next week? I shall be in London, I hope, until just before Christmas. Now I am here I do hope I'll be able to get some work, and that, in spite of my rudeness in not writing to you or getting in touch with you in any way, you'll be able to help me. I [word crossed out] rang you up the day of of my arrival, but could get no answer. Apologies again." Although Welsh poet Dylan

NORMAN MAILER, ARTHUR MILLER, LEON URIS, WILLIAM PETER BLATTY and MARIO PUZO All five sign this First Day Cover promoting historic preservation First Day Cover signed: "William Peter Blatty", "Arthur Miller", "Mickey Spillane", "Norman Mailer", "Leon Uris" and "Mario Puzo" in various inks, 6½x3¾. First Day Cover in the Historic Preservation series of 1971. Postmarked San Diego, California, October 29, 1971. 8¢ stamp affixed, FIRST DAY OF ISSUE. WILLIAM PETER BLATTY'S most famous work, The Exorcist, was published the year this envelope was issued. ARTHUR MILLER received the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for his play, Death of A Salesman. MICKEY SPILLANE, the creator of detective Mike Hammer, sold over 130 million copies of his books. NORMAN MAILER, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner (1969 and 1980), is known for his gripping commentaries on violence in society (including The Executioner's Song). LEON URIS told the story of man's triumph over injustice in eleven novels, such as Exodus.

PEARL S. BUCK Postcard photo (3½x5½) of Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel awards, signed by Nobel Laureate Pearl S. Buck, who won the Nobel Prize In Literature in 1938. Accompanied by four 5¢ Buck sheet stamps. Picture postcard signed: "Pearl S. Buck" in blue ink. B/w, 3½x5½ overall, 3x3½ image, one surface. Postmarked Stockholm, Sweden, date illegible. With one red-and-white Swedish stamp affixed on front of post card. Accompanied by: four white-and-red 5¢ Buck sheet stamps. Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973) was the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (1938).Best known for her novels about China (including The Good Earth; 1932 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction), Buck wrote over 70 novels as well as biographies, an autobiography (My Several Worlds, 1954), dramas, children's literature and translations from the Chinese. Lightly toned. Stockholm postmark (date illegible) touches signature. Otherwise in fine condition.

AUTHORS SALUTE JACK LONDON: ERSKINE CALDWELL, EDWARD ALBEE, ISAAC ASIMOV, STEPHEN KING, ALEX HALEY, LEON URIS and ROBERT PENN WARREN Seven authors sign a first day cover honoring Jack London, framed to 24½x20 First Day Cover signed: "Erskine Caldwell", "Edward Albee", "Isaac Asimov", "Stephen King", "Alex Haley", "Leon Uris" and "Rbt Penn Warren", 6¼x3½. First Day Cover honoring American author Jack London, 25-cent stamp affixed, postmarked Glen Ellen, California, 1986 January 11, FIRST DAY OF ISSUE. Author-journalist ERSKINE CALDWELL (1903-1987) made his mark on American literature with such classics on the South as Tobacco Road (1932) and God's Little Acre (1933). Playwright EDWARD F. ALBEE III, whose plays include Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1962) and All Over (1971), won the 1967 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for A Delicate Balance (1966). Science fiction Hugo Award winner, ISAAC ASMIOV (1920-1992) was more than a novelist, also writing science and theology textbooks among his many works, which include his sci-fi Foundation trilogy (1951-1953) and his scientific text, The Human Brain (1964).

EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS Edgar Rice Burroughs signs a check for $45.00 Check signed: "E.R. Burroughs", 7¾x3. October 31, 1935. Check No. 156 drawn from the account of Edgar Rice Burroughs at Citizens National Trust & Savings Bank of Los Angeles. Payable for $45.00 to Collette Stenger. Edgar RiceBurroughs (1875-1950) is best known as the creator of "Tarzan of the Apes", whom he introduced to readers in his 1914 novel of the same name. Over the years, his "Ape Man" appeared in 20 novels (printed in 50 languages with sales of 20 million copies) and was featured in motion pictures, radio serials, television shows and a comic strip. Burroughs also wrote science fiction (his first sale was a serialized version of a Martian tale) and crime novels. Science fiction fans probably know him best for the Barsoom or John Carter of Mars series of novels. Vertical fold through the "o" in Burroughs. Ink note (unknown hand) at upper left corner. Bank stamp on verso lightly shows through to signature. Bank stamp and cancellation holes touch some writing. Otherwise, fine condition.

EMILE ZOLA The prolific writer sends his thanks to an unnamed correspondent for Ballades Françaises Autograph Sentiment on Calling Card Signed: "Emile Zola" 4x2½. In French, translated in full: "With my hearty thanks for the agreeable package of "Ballades Françaises", an exquisite and powerful work".Emile Zola (1840-1902) is widely recognized as the founder of naturalism in literature. His last great work was the trilogy Les Trois Villes (The Three Cities): Lourdes (1894), Rome (1896) and Paris (1898). Zola is also known for defending French Army Officer Alfred Dreyfus, who had been convicted of treason (1894) and imprisoned on Devil's Island (1895). Incensed at the injustice of the conviction, Zola wrote a scathing letter beginning "J'accuse" that was published in the newspaper "L'Aurore" on January 13, 1898. Anti-Semitism had played a large part in the Dreyfus case, and after Zola's letter appeared, he was forced to flee France. He went to England, where he lived from 1898-1899 before returning to France. Pinhead-sized stain toward left edge.

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW This framed image is signed and inscribed to a young woman named Mary Lawton Inscribed Photograph Mount Signed: "To Mary Lawton from G. Bernard Shaw", 15x11 visible, actual image 14x11 (visible) and mounted to a larger page. B/w. Dated November 1938. Includes plaque and fine decorative frame. GEORGE BERNARD SHAW(1856-1950) was born in Dublin, Ireland. During his life, he wrote dozens of plays, most famously Man and Superman(1903), Pygmalion (1913), and Saint Joan (1923). In addition to Shaw's prolific creative writings, he was also outspoken on politics, religion, and current events. One of his more unique passions was fighting for an improved alphabet. A book of his improved alphabet was published 12 years after his death to crickets. All his life, he wanted to be referred to as Bernard Shaw, but in his signature he always signed as G.B.S. or G. Bernard Shaw. In 1925, he received the Nobel Prize for literature. Thirteen years later, he became the first person to win both a Nobel Prize and an Academy Award, the latter for the 1938 film Pygmalion. Frame lightly chipped around edges. Mounting page toned.

ERNEST DIMNET The French philosophizing priest, known for his book The Art of Thinking, wishes his friend "bon voyage!", signs name in black ink Autograph letter signed: "Ernest Dimnet" in black ink. 1 page, 6x8 folded. Written on personal letterhead. Original envelope included. Chicago, Illinois. Addressed to Mrs. J. Wainwright, in full: "My Dear Friend, I am glad I am not going to Scranton if you are not going to be there. Scranton to me has been your house and welcome and constantly watchful friendship. Bon voyage to you two. Tres a vous". Ernest Dimnet (1866-1954) was a French cleric, author and philosopher. His best known work, The Art of Thinking (1930) invites the reader into a state of honesty where he evaluates himself as a thoughtful human being, for humans too often only "think of thinking" instead of actually thinking, which obstructs production of any original thought. Dimnet is also well regarded for his books, What We Live By (1932) and for his popular French translations of English books written by Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte. Normal mailing folds. Toned. Corners rounded. Light surface creases. Otherwise, fine condition.