Autographs

Authors

Lot 71
Neruda, Pablo. Typed Document with Autograph Notations. In French and Spanish. Two pages, quarto, n.p., n.d. On onionskin paper. The curriculum vitae for Pablo Neruda, written about 1970. Staple at top left, assorted wrinkles and creasing. Overall, very good condition.

Neruda has made strong green corrections to this typed document, which outlines the noted poet's varied career. From birth, through various diplomatic positions and his long career as a poet, this offering presents Neruda's life as he recorded it.
Estimated Value $2,000-3,000.

Lot 72
Ruskin, John (1819-1900) English writer and art critic, also a social reformer whose Unto This Last is said to have influenced Gandhi.

Autograph Note Signed ("J Ruskin). One page, 4½ x 3¼", n.p., n.d. To Mr (Mrs.?) Brown. A brief note with a literary question: "Had you even read the second part of Faust, carefully?"). One vertical, two horizontal folds. Fine condition.
Estimated Value $100-150.

Lot 73
Sandburg, Carl (1878-1968) American poet and author who wrote primarily in free verse. His biography of Abraham Lincoln is regarded as a classic.

Signature ("Carl Sandburg"). One page, 2½ x 3¼", n.p., n.d. Signature in blue on album page. Adhesive residue on verso and front corners, typed caption directly under signature but signature is strong and clear. Good condition.
Estimated Value $75-100.

Lot 74
Shaw, George Bernard (1856-1950). Playwright and essayist.

Autograph Letter Signed ("G. Bernard Shaw"). One page, recto and verso, quarto, n.p., June 21, 1905. On "The Old House, Harmer Green, Welwyn" stationery. In black ink. To scholar and statesman Gilbert Murray. One vertical fold, slight toning to the edges. Still, in fine to very fine condition.

In a playful, yet curious note, Shaw writes to classical scholar Murray and begins with a discussion about the royalties he receives for his work: "It is, heaven forgive us, an awful waste of brass. However, You Never Can Tell brought me in £120 a week steadily from the beginning of the year until the last quarter of April: consequently my banker is in funds to an extent he has done nothing to deserve."
Estimated Value $750-875.

Lot 75
Skinner, Cornelia Otis (1901-1979) American actress and author, acclaimed for her stage performances and her humorous novels and plays.

Signed Photograph ("Cornelia Otis Skinner"). Black and white, 5 x 7", n.p., n.d. Inscribed in blue ink across corner "For Mr. A. Woulton With best wishes". Minor toning and incidental soil at edges, otherwise fine.
Estimated Value $50-75.

Lot 76
Stoker, Bram (1847-1912) Irish author whose Dracula is one of the finest suspense/horror stories ever written. Turning to fiction in his forties, Stoker published his first novel, The Snake's Pass, in 1890. Dracula (1897), was Stoker's masterpiece and has not been out of print since its initial publication, with Stoker's vividly drawn Count Dracula used in countless stories on stage and screen -- embedding the character in modern cultural imagery.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Bram Stoker"). One page, octavo, n.p., November 1, 1899. On "Sixth American Tour, 1899-1900" stationery. Addressee illegible. Ink transfer when note was folded, one hole at top right has discoloration from adhesive around edges and poor repair at verso -- text is not affected, one horizontal fold, one faint diagonal crease at bottom left corner, erased pencil notation very light at bottom right edge. Very good condition.

Writing as Sir Henry Irving's private secretary, Stoker pens the actor's regrets: "Sir Henry is much obliged but he says it would be quite impossible for him..." Employed by the great thespian for 27 years, Stoker accompanied him on many tours and our letter finds him in the United States, probably New York or Boston.
Estimated Value $400-600.

Lot 77
Stowe, Harriet Beecher (1811-1896) Author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, one of the most influential (and inflammatory) books of the mid 19th century, Stowe travelled throughout Europe and the northern United States in support of the abolitionist cause.

Signature ("HB Stowe"). One page, 3½ x 2", n.p., January 24, 1884. Brown ink on cream card stock. Inscribed "Very Truly Yours." One small spot of album paper at bottom right corner, very minor toning. Very good to fine condition.
Estimated Value $100-125.

Lot 78
Thackeray, William Makepeace. Autograph Manuscript Page. One page, 5 x 7", numbered in another hand. From "On Screens in Dining Rooms," "Roundabout Papers" No. 6 (from August 1860). Numerous hand corrections (Thackeray). "...a few lines from my friend Johnson it is true, but they are written on a page covered with feminine handwriting. 'Dear Mr. Johnson' says the writer. I have just been perusing with delight a most charming tale by the Archbishop of Cambray...I am sure Telemachus is as good as new to English readers...I am stabbed through Johnson. He has lent himself to this attack on me...Will there not be a coolness between him and the lady..." Faint horizontal folds, else fine.

Thackeray's Roundabout Papers were autobiographical and he often used them, as here, to respond to various attacks.
Estimated Value $375-475.

Lot 79
Whitman, Walt (1819-1892) A true American original, Whitman broke free of poetic traditions to create a body of work notable for its social commentary, sexuality, long verses and intense rythmic patterns.

Signed Printed Photograph ("Walt Whitman"). Sepia tone, 5 x 7¼", n.p., n.d. Signed boldly in bottom margin; an early collector has written "The Homer of America" at the top margin and "The Good Gray Poet" at the bottom. Foxing and dampstaining faint at bottom, with incidental feathering of the signature. Sealed into a plastic page. Very good condition.

Whitman gazes at butterfly perched on his hand. A wonderful portrait.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.

Lot 80
Whittier, John Greenleaf (1807-1892) American poet and outspoken abolitionist. Whittier's poems reflect an appreciation for the beauties of nature and rural life, as well as a deep religious conviction and moral strength.

Autograph Quotation Signed ("John G Whittier"). One page, 8 x 5, n.p., September 28, 1866. Quotation on an album page. Toning to edges, somewhat ragged at spine edge where removed from album, one small pencil notation below quote. Very good condition.

"For freedom in the name of Him who came to right the wronged upon, To break the chain from every limb, the bolt from every prison door!" A wonderful piece from this abolitionist and champion of the downtrodden.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 81
Wilder, Thornton. Typescript Signed ("Thornton Wilder"). Six pages, quarto, Hamden, Connecticut, July 1967. Typed excerpt from The Bridge of San Luis Rey. Signed in blue ink at top of first page. Paperclip impression, toning to edges, else fine.
Estimated Value $350-450.

Lot 82
Williams, William Carlos (1883-1963). Poet and novelist.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Williams"). One page, recto and verso, octavo, n.p., March 23, 1948. On his personal, initialized stationery. In black ink. To his friend Professor E. Rutan of Rutgers University. Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope. With one horizontal fold, light folds at left center and toning along left edge. In fine condition overall.

With great literary content, Williams discusses some exciting possibilities that lie in his future, despite medical ailments: "...thanks for the vote, maybe I'll yet win the award if I last that long. I doubt it seriously however. Mostly I have to go to Utah, as last summer, and Seattle, this summer, to the usual literary conference, to win any respect -- I don't like the word. To win! that's it. I've been told recently that they have elected me to be custodian of Poetry at the Library of Congress for the year 1949-1950 again if I last that long -- by way of private information I am at the moment recovering (I hope) from an attack of angina pectoris: a fine opportunity for thought!...Paterson II may be ammunition for your gun -- I hope at least that you'll like it."
Estimated Value $1,400-1,600.

Lot 83
Exceptional Authors. Lot of six signatures, three on cards and three clipped. A wonderful assortment of favorites, authors and others: Jack London, Booth Tarkington, Luther Burbank, David Warfield, Joaquin Miller and Robert Paine. The London and Tarkington signatures appear on the verso of their calling cards. There is some very minor staining to the Warfield signature, but otherwise, everything is very good to fine.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 84
Rawlings, Marjorie Kinnon and Fisher, Dorothy Canfield. Lot of two items from two celebrated 20th century writers. 1). Autograph Letter Signed ("Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings"). One page, 6 x 7", Hawthorn, Florida, November 18, 1938. On Rawlings' stationery, in blue ink. One horizontal and one vertical fold, otherwise fine condition. 2). Signature ("Dorothy Canfield Fisher"). One page, 5½ x 8½", Arlington, Vermont, n.d. On Canfield's stationery. One vertical and two horizontal folds, otherwise very good condition.

Rawlings' letter is short, but with great content in her bold hand, "...'Golden Apples' was the most important to me, personally...I consider 'The Yearling' my most integrated work to date."
Estimated Value $100-125.

Lot 85
Sinclair, Wilder, Terhune, Morley. A very nice collection of Autograph Letters and a Signature, courtesy of great American writers. 1). Typed Note Signed ("U Sinclair"). One page, large octavo, Pasadena, June 12, 1934. On personal stationery. To Ida Corey. Nice text: "Many thanks for your very kind letter telling me that my books have interested you. That is one of the very nicest things an author ever hears!" Lot includes small pamphlet and article about Sinclair's work. Mailing folds, very good to fine. 2). Signature ("Thornton Wilder"). One page, 4 x 3", Chicago, 1934. Minor ragged edges do not interfere with text, fine condition. 3). Autograph Letter Signed ("Christopher Morley"). One page, quarto, Roslyn Heights, New York, "Groundhog Day -- 1931". On "Green Escape" stationery. To Ida Corey. Nice text: "The groundhog comes out of his hole long enough to thank you for your friendly letter..." Mailing folds, fine condition. 4). Autograph Note Signed ("Albert Payson Terhune"). One page, small quarto, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, June 3, 1933. On personal stationery. To Ida Corey. Good content: "...My two best loved books, written by me, are 'The Son of God'...and 'Lad: A Dog'". Mailing folds, ink smeared by writer, else fine.

Although Sinclair and Wilder are the two best known today, Terhune and Morely were hugely popular in their heyday and their works enjoy renewed interest every few years.
Estimated Value $200-250.