woman’s studies
VIRGINIA WOOLF ON VACATION IN SPAIN ~ WHERE THE SEEDS FOR ‘MRS. DALLOWAY’ WERE SOWN
WOOLF, VIRGINIA. (1882-1941) English novelist, essayist, publisher, and feminist; Woolf is regarded as one of the foremost modernist literary figures of the twentieth century. Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “Virginia Woolf,” penned in her usual lavender ink. One full page, octavo. “5th April” [1923] “Yegen [Spain]”.
ROBERT FROST: “IF THERE IS ONE THING WE HATE AS POETS, IT’S SEEMING BUSY OR IN DEMAND. ISN’T THAT SO[?] IT’S NOT BECAUSE I’M EITHER THAT I HAVEN’T SENT YOU A POEM…. I SHALL BE AS GOOD (OR BAD) AS MY WORD”
FROST, ROBERT. (1874-1963). American poet; noted for his depiction of New England life; mot honored poet of the 20th Century with 4 Pulitzer Prizes; recited his: “The Gift Outright” at John Kennedy’s inauguration, from memory after his reading copy blew away. Curious Autograph Letter Signed, “Robert Frost”. 2 1/2 pages, octavo. South Shaftsbury, Vermont, January 21, 1921.
GRACE COOLIDGE ON THE JOYOUS SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES SPENT BY HER AND PRESIDENT CALVIN COOLIDGE
COOLIDGE, GRACE ANNA GOODHUE. (1879-1957). First Lady. Superb content Autograph Letter Signed, “Grace Coolidge”, as First Lady, on gilt imprinted The White House stationery. Eight very full pages, octavo. ‘Superior, Wisconsin, June 28, 1928’.
THE INFAMOUS ‘SPY’ MATA-HARI — RENEWS HER NEWSPAPER CLIPPING SERVICE
[MATA-HARI] Stage name used by MARGARETHA GEERTRUIDA [MACLEOD] ZELLE. 1876-1917. Dutch exotic dancer, courtesan, and alleged World War I spy; rose to fame in Paris circa 1905 with sensual, near nude, Asian-inspired performances; Accused of being a double agent for Germany and France, she was arrested in 1917, tried on largely circumstantial evidence, and executed by firing squad on October 15, 1917; her name endures as a symbol of intrigue and seduction. Surprising rare Autograph Letter Signed, “Mata Hari” in French.
MADAME CHAING KAI-SHEK ON THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND – CHIANG KA-SHEK — “HISTORY IS A HARD AND DEMANDING TASK MASTER, AND WHEN ALL THE DIN AND DUST OF THE MOMENT HAVE SETTLED, IT WILL RECORD WITH EVEN-HANDED IMPARTIALITY…[AND] JUDGE THE GREAT AND LITTLE FIGURES OF EVERY PERIOD IN TIME ACCORDING TO THE CRITERIA OF INTENT, CHARACTER AND DEDICATION.” — “[I HOPE] I CAN COME TO THE UNITED STATES, THE COUNTRY I LOVE BEST BESIDES CHINA….”
MAY-LING, SOONG (MADAME CHIANG KAI-SHEK). (1897-2003) First Lady of the Republic of China, the wife of former President Chiang Kai-Shek. Revealing and Important Typed Letter Signed “Yours Cordially / Mayling Soong Chiang”, on her black-bordered mourning stationery. One full page, quarto.
ROBERT E. LEE & MARY CUSTIS LEE
A wonderful surviving original pairing of signed and further inscribed CDV photographs of the Lee’s.
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, JR. — A SIMPLY STUNNING LETTER FROM THE FUTURE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE TO HIS MITRESS: CLAIRE CASTLETOWN, THE LADY CASTLETOWN ~~ “THE GREATEST EXPERIENCES OF LIFE ARE: WAR, WOMEN, A STORM AT SEA, AND THE MOUNTAINS”
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, JR. (1841-1935). Associate Justice, United States Supreme Court, 1902-1932. Autograph Letter Signed, “O.W. Holmes”, Four full pages, quarto. Beverly Farms, Massachusetts. August 7, 1897. To his mistress.