WHITMAN BENNETT - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 09/08/1954 - HFSID 271430

WHITMAN BENNETT
Book binder and movie producer Whitman Bennett signed this letter, typed on his personalized letterhead from Bennett Book Studios, in 1954. In it, he addresses damage to a book that he bound. Accompanied by original mailing envelope and the reply from his customer.
Typed letter signed "Whitman Bennett". Purple ink date stamp in bottom right corner. 1 page, 8¼x11, on Bennett's personalized letterhead from Bennett Book Studios, Inc. Sept. 8, 1954. Addressed to Mr. H. E. Luhrs, Director of the Lincoln Library, Shippenburg, Pennsylvania. In full: "My dear Mr.Luhrs;- I do a vast amount of appraising and when the local inspector brought the two books here I was much surprised and told him that I did not feel the injury was great enough to justify a complete rebinding. He asked me to see what I could do about putting the books back into useable good condition and I did just that. The books were sent back to you wrapped by the inspector himself. The binding was most certainly the same and I am sure the inspector here would never authorized a misrepresentation on that basis. Very truly". Lightly toned and creased. Folded twice and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition. Stapled to two other documents: 1) Typed letter unsigned. 2 pages, 8¼x10¾, singled-sided pages, thin paper. From the director of the Lincoln Library. September 10, 1954. Addressed to Mr. Whitman Bennett, Bennett Book Studios, Inc. New York City. In part: "Please understand, Mr. Bennet, I have no desire to question your appraisal ability, but I must say that I had a much higher opinion of judgment as a skilled binder craftsman. You understand of course, that as I explained to you, the books as such are not unuseable , but there is a vast difference between use-ability and perfection. The first volume which I sent at your request for matching was in perfect shape when it left my hands, and was pur-chased by me at auction because it was in perfect shape... After all it was the binding which we were buying, and which you were furnishing. It was due wholly to the carelessness of your shipping room that any damage occurred. We are perfectly will, as we told the Postmaster here, to accept the volumes provided we are reimbursed for the binding, or at least a reasonable portion of them reflecting the loss in value to us..."Lightly toned and rippled, otherwise in fine condition. 2) Unsigned envelope. 9¼x4, from Bennett Book Studios stationery. Postmarked New York City, Sept. 8, 1954. Addressed to Mr. H. E. Luhrs, Director of the Lincoln Library, Shippenburg, Pennsylvania. Envelope is open and empty. Normal postal stamps. Lightly toned, creased and soiled Cut open at top edge. Otherwise in fine condition. American book dealer and binder Bennett (1883-1968) was a journalist, including assistant drama editor at the New York Times, before forming his own film production company in 1920 on the ashes of the Triangle Film Corporation. He produced over 20 films between 1920 and 1925 and directed 10 between 1921 and 1925. The most notable of his films were a series of six melodramas starring Lionel Barrymore and directed by himself and Kenneth Webb between 1920 and 1925, including Jim the Penman (1921). His books include A Practical Guide to American Book Collecting and A Practical Guide to American 19th Century Color Plate Books, 1800-1900 as well as Whittier, Bard of Freedom, a biography of Quaker poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whitter.