THE CO-AUTHOR OF KING KONG,   EARLY IN HIS CAREER, OFFERS A JOURNALIST A POSITION ON THE ‘DAILY MAIL’ IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

WALLACE, EDGAR.  (1875-1932).  English mystery-story writer; served in the South African War until 1899, when he became a reporter; returned to England and produced his first success, The Four Just Men (1905); his last work was part-authorship of the film script for King Kong, which was finished shortly before his death.  Early Typed Letter Signed, “Edgar Wallace”, on his name-imprinted “Daily Mail” Office letterhead.  One full page, quarto.  “5, Tyne Buildings, Market Street, Johannesburg [South Africa]”, June 7, 1902.  Minor tearing and staining.  To “J. Denley Spencer, Esq.”  Wallace writes: “Dear Sir, Mr. Freeman Cohen has handed me your letter to answer.  I hope to be in London in a few weeks so request that you will renew your application to me care of the ‘Daily Mail’, London, marking it ‘to await arrival’.  Please state what wages you would require, whether you are married, and whether you would be prepared to pay your passage to Johannesburg.  I may state that I do not, as a rule favor the importation of journalists from England to this country, where the conditions are so different to those at home, but I should like if possible, to give you a show.   Yours faithfully, Edgar Wallace”.  His letters, let alone his early letters are quite scarce.  This one on his name-imprinted stationery is a choice example for the collector.

 

$795.00