literature

LAURENCE BINYON  —  A FINE, REVEALING ARCHIVE OF 6 LETTERS   —

‘I AM ABOUT TO BRING OUT A TRANSLATION OF DANTE’S PURGATORIES IN TRIPLE RHYME; AND I WONDER IF A PAPER ON THIS AND ON THE PROBLEM OF TRANSLATING DANTE WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE? ‘

‘AS I CAN’T SELL MY OWN POEMS, I DON’T SUPPOSE ANY RECOMMENDATION OF MINE IS LIKELY TO SELL ANYBODY ELSE’S’

BINYON, LAURENCE.  (1869-1943).  British poet and art critic;   best known for his poem “For the Fallen,” written at the onset of World War I; Binyon also wrote and translated verse drama and worked as an art historian. Fine group of six Autograph Letters Signed, “Laurence Binyon”, on his imprinted Westridge Farm House, Streatley, Berks. Telephone: Goring 100 stationery.  Eight total pages, octavo.  Berkshire, England, May 27, 1938 to March 30, 1939.  Very fine condition.

MARK TWAIN AND HIS FELLOW HARTFORD, CONNETICUT CITIZENS SEEK TO ARRANGE A LECTURE ON MADAGASCAR!

CLEMENS, SAMUEL L. [MARK TWAIN].  (1835-1910.)  American humorist, lecturer and writer.  Manuscript Letter Signed, “Mark Twain”,  in committee and by other prominent Connecticut residents. Two pages, quarto. Hartford, October 9, 1884.

DICKENS – OLIVER TWIST

WRITING ABOUT THE PUBLICATION OF OLIVER TWIST IN BENTLEY’S MISCELLANY, FROM HIS EARLY 48 DOUGHY STREET LONDON RESIDENCE, WHERE THE MANUSCRIPT WAS WRITTEN

DICKENS, CHARLES. (1812-1870). English novelist.  Superb early, Autograph Letter Signed, “Charles Dickens”. One full page, quarto. ‘48 Doughty Street, London, January 19, 1838’.  To Thomas Lydely.  

ORNATE CHECK SIGNED BY PETER PAN CREATOR,  J.M. BARRIE  — MADE PAYABLE TO HIS DOCTOR

BARRIE, SIR J[AMES] M[ATTHEW].  (1860-1937).  Scottish dramatist and novelist[ Creator of Peter Pan.  Partly-Printed Check Signed, “J.M. Barrie”, drawn on Barclay & Company Limited Bank.  London, July 11, 1908.

E.E. CUMMINGS  — “ONE OF THE VERY FEW  /  ’YOUNGER AMERICAN WRITERS’  WHO  /  DESERVES TO BE CALLED A POET…”

CUMMINGS, E(DWARD) E(STLIN).  (1894-1962).  American poet.  Uncommon Typed Letter Signed, “E.E. Cummings”, in red crayon, written in the style of his poetry.  One page, quarto.  “4 Patchin Place, New York City, 11”, May 16, 1955.  Very fine condition.  To “Dear Miss Nicolson”. 

JOHN STEINBECK  ~~ INSCRIBED ADVANCED PROOF COPY OF:  THE SHORT REIGN OF PIPPIN IV

STEINBECK, JOHN. (1902-1968).  American writer and Nobel laureate, who described in his work the struggle of people who depend on the land for their livelihood;  his most powerful novels, include: Of Mice and Men (1937);  The Grapes of Wrath (1939); and Cannery Row (1945).   Unrevised proofs for Steinbeck’s The Short Reign of Pippin IV.  n.p. (NY), n.p. (Viking Press), n.d. (before March of 1957), first edition thus, spiral-bound blue paper wrappers.

D.H. LAWRENCE WRITES TO CURTIS BROWN ~~ ”NEXT WEEK I’LL SEND THE MS [MANUSCRIPT] OF THE PLUMED SERPENT (QUETZALCOATL), MY MEXICAN NOVEL, TO THE NEW YORK OFFICE, ASKING THEM TO MAKE THE CORRECTIONS ON THE DUPLICATE AND FORWARD A COPY TO YOU AT ONCE. I CONSIDER THIS MY MOST IMPORTANT NOVEL, SO FAR.”

LAWRENCE, D.H.  (1885-1930).  English novelist and poet;  his novels: Sons and Lovers (1913), The Rainbow (1915), and Women in Love (1920) made him one of the most influential English writers of the 20th century. Good and enlightening Autograph Letter Signed, “D.H. Lawrence”.  Two full pages, quarto.  “Del Monte Ranch, Questa, New Mexico”, June 23, 1923.  Very fine condition.  To “Dear Curtis Brown”.  [Albert Curtis Brown, the founder of the Literary agency which bears his name].