MACKINLAY KANTOR - TYPED LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 140300

MacKINLAY KANTOR
Typed letter signed by author MacKinlay Kantor in blue ink. Kantor apologizes for sending a form letter, but says he has no time for anything else while writing his newest novel; he also thanks readers for their letters about his autobiography But Look, The Morn. His novel Andersonville won the 1956 Pulitzer Prize, and his novel Glory for Me was the basis of the Oscar-winning film The Best Years of Our Lives.
Typed letter signed "Mackinlay Kantor" in blue ink. Black ink notations on verso in unknown hand. 1 page, 8½x11. Written in New York City. No date, but likely circa 1947. In full: "Dear Somebody-or-Other: This is a form letter. I hate the whole idea of a form letter, and don't think that I have ever written one before. Yes, maybe I did once, long ago, to all my creditors! The point is this: I have been finishing my new novel (and my last for several years to come). I've been working against a deadline. Some days I've dictated as many as five or six thousand words per day; and now there is a lot of accumulated revision staring me in the face. At this moment I cannot even take care of the urgent things that come up in New York-let alone mail from outside. I have been delighted at the letters regarding 'BUT LOOK, THE MORN.' To the strangers, the new friends who have written me, I want to say that I appreciate deeply their interest in the book in general or in any of its particular phases. To the oldtime [sic] friends whom I know so well, I can only swear that their letters will be treasured eternally, and in every case I hope that it won't be long before we meet again. This letter sounds a little pompous; it isn't meant to be. I am just tuckered out right now, but I don't want people to have to wait too long to receive some sort of reply. My thanks to the thoughtful strangers, my regards to the acquaintances, and my best salute to those with whom I am lucky enough to be on kissing terms." Kantor's autobiographical book, But Look, The Morn (1947), described his childhood in Iowa. Journalist and author Kantor (1904-1977), born Benjamin McKinley Kantor, wrote short stories and over 30 novels, including Andersonville, which won the 1956 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was adapted into the 1970 movie The Andersonville Trial. Many of Kantor's novels and stories were adapted for film, most notably his verse novel Glory For Me, which was the basis for the Oscar-winning classic The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). Lightly toned, soiled and creased Pen dribbled in places while writing signature, which is legible. Light transference of type, touching signature. Notations on verso show through in upper left blank corner (does not touch signature). Lead pencil marks in unknown hand in top left corner. Overall, fine condition.