Search Results: Authors from Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts, ABAA

Popular and prolific American playwright. Nice archive of five TLsS, each 1p, 8½" X 11", Shoreham, NY, 1942 June 3 to December 11. Addressed to poet Joseph Auslander (1897-1965) at the Library of Congress. Very good to fine. All concern the donation of Pollock's manuscripts to the Library of Congress (although he protests protests, "I don't want to crowd you with Pollockiana...."). "...nothing would give me greater pleasure," writes Pollock, "and particularly because... the inspiration for my most successful play, 'THE FOOL', came of an afternoon's reading in that Library." Regarding the manuscript of his just-completed autobiography ("Harvest of My Years"), Pollock sheds some light on his work methods: "...all but the first two chapters of this are written in pencil. The first two were dictated and typed, and, if you desire, with the combination I will include a note of explanation. The pencilled manuscript is voluminous, of course, and, should you prefer, I could substitute a typed script with pen… Read More

The elder brother of English novelist Evelyn was also a writer, best remembered for the bestselling "Island in the Sun" (1955). ANS, 1p, 6" X 8", Bishopsbourne, Kent, n.d. Near fine. Addressed to William Evans Jr. In his usual miniscule-beyond-belief script, Waugh reveals his mistrust of the postal system: "If you send your copy of 'Hot Countries' to me, it is very likely to get lost. So I advise it would be best if you were to insert this inscription...." With original envelope, addressed in Waugh's hand.

American writer and amateur explorer. Unsigned AM, 17pp (rectos only), 5 3/4" X 9", n.p., n.d. Overall good. Top page somewhat soiled, with damage at lower left corner (repaired on verso). Titled "An Autographic Medley," this appears to be the rough draft of a chapter of a book. Lanman discusses and quotes heavily from letters received from notables -- Hawthorne, Dana and Gladstone among them -- in regard to his books. Interesting reading.

This French philosopher and historian's "Life of Jesus" (1863) was the first to treat Jesus strictly as a historical figure -- causing a controversy which delayed Renan's confirmation as professor of Hebrew at the College de France by seven years! ANS in French, 1p, 8" X 12", n.p., n.d. [ca. July 1887]. Near fine. At the lower left corner of an Autograph Letter Signed from one A. Roblaire from Louargat in northwest France to "Monsier l'Inspecteur d'Academie," Renan pens a brief 5-line note to his correspondent. Not translated.

American historian who pioneered the use of previously-neglected social and economic history in his mammoth 8-volume "History of the People of the United States." ANS, 1p, 6" X 7", Philadelphia, PA, 1931 October 12. Addressed to E.C. Hettel. Near fine. Graciously consents to an autograph request. A handsome example.

Probably the most famous 19th century American journalist, he of "Go West, young man" immortality, founded and edited "The New Yorker" (1834-41), then the renowned "New York Tribune" (1841), whose popularity gained its editor's oft-expressed views wide influence; ran as Democratic presidential candidate in 1872, but was soundly defeated by incumbent U.S. Grant. Slightly damaged ALS, 2pp, 5" X 8", n.p., 1871 [?] November 20. Very good. Addressed to Ralph Meecker. Slight mounting trace along top edge of second page, where the right margin is also closely cropped, affecting the "ley" in Greeley. An unusual defacement consists of two small side by side "windows" (the leftmost measuring 1¼" X ½", the rightmost ½" X ¼") neatly excised near the top of the first page, just above "Dear Ralph." While censorship in letters normally consists of the removal of the recipient's name or signer's name, this defacement appears just below the "New-York Tribune" letterhead, the larger whole to the left of "Nov. 20,"… Read More

English-born American journalist best known for carefully researched biographies of noteworthy Americans such as Horace Greeley (1855), Aaron Burr (1857), Andrew Jackson (1859-60), Benjamin Franklin (1864), John Jacob Astor (1865) and Thomas Jefferson (1874). AQS, 1p, 5½" X 4¼", Newburyport, MA, 1877. Very good. Mild show-through from mounting trace (about 3/4" - 1" wide) running down left edge. "Virtue and good temper / do not bring success. They / are success / James Parton" plus place and year penned large and bold. Quite attractive -- and a sentiment typical of the rags-to-riches success stories of the figures Parton profiled.

Popular and prolific English poet, critic and novelist whose verse collections include "Flood of Life" (1917) and "Bells of Rye" (1960), with many in between. ANS, 1p, 5" X 8", Holborn, England, 1936 February 12. Addressed to "Sir." Very good. File hole at upper left; large blue pencilled checkmark in lower area. "I shall be glad to give a reading from my new collection of poems 'Twelve Noon', on Feb. 26th at 5.15 p.m." Attractively penned.

Prolific and influential American poet and editor whose first volume of poetry was "The Human Fantasy" (1911). AQS, 1p, 8½" X 11", n.p., 1972 March 21. Near fine. Light original mailing folds. Titled "for Billy, Doris, Queenie, Donna, June, and John," this is an original, probably one-of-a-kind quatrain written especially for a small class of disabled school children, thanking them in verse: "Thank you for your message and / The thank-you picture made by hand, / Thank you, each and every one -- / I hope you have a lot of fun." Somewhat tremulous, but bold, easily legible and attractive. A charming example of the vintage versifier's graciousness.

Noted English archeologist, travel writer and poet. ALS, 2pp, 5¼" X 8½", Palermo, Sicily, 1903 March. Addressed to J.H. Sutherland Jackson (possibly John Hughlings Jackson, 1835-1911, the English neurologist). Very good. Minor soiling. On the verso of a scarce pictorial promotional handbill for his book "Segesta, Selinunte, and the West of Sicily," Sladen thanks Jackson for birthday wishes ("Such letters are among the greatest privileges which author's receive") and discusses portraits of and interviews with himself. He talks too of the availability of his volumes of verse: "But the best book to judge me by is the latest 'Segesta Selinunte and the West of Sicily' or the great three guinea works entitled 'In Sicily'." Unusual.

American literary critic whose books include "Introduction to Readings from Ruskin" (1885), "An Outline Sketch of English Literature" (1886), the verse collection "Odds and Ends" (1878) and others. ALS, 8pp, 5" X 8", New Haven, CT, 1889 April 8. Addressed to Moss. Very good. Light and even age toning; slight separation along one fold. Apparently writing to a former schoolmate, Beers here offers up a lengthy reading list of English history titles, reading in small part: "I am not an authority on English history -- pragmatic or general political history, I mean -- but I can speak with confidence of some few works in that department. J.R. Green's 'Short History of the English People' in one volume, is the best outline of the whole subject & is better than his larger book in four volumes. For the earliest period Kember's 'Saxons in England' Green's 'The Making of England' & Freeman's 'Norman Conquest' are… Read More

This muckraking British-born librarian, author and journalist attempted to work with the U.S. Congress to create copyright legislation to protect British authors from American pirates; rebuked, he became librarian of the renowned Astor Library (1859-96). ANS, 1p, 5¼" X 8", New York, NY, 1894 October 2. Addressed to Charles Aldrich. Very good. Erased but slightly visible pencil note across top margin; slight mounting trace on verso and on left margin. Cryptic reply to a correspondent: "In response to your favor of the 28th Sept. I have much pleasure in sending the enclosed, according to your flattering request...."

Popular novelist and short story writer whose umpteen volumes include "The Wayfarers," "The Unforeseen" and "The Suburban Whirl." Two items: First, an ANS, 1p, 5" X 6½", Orange, NJ, 1923 January 16. Addressed to Albert Johannsen (1871-1962), a University of Chicago geology professor who authored "The House of Beadle and Adams and Its Dime and Nickel Novels" (1950), the definitive reference work on the subject. Near fine. In response to a request for an original working draft page of a manuscript, Cutting cordially replies: "Will the enclosed serve your purpose? It is rather more legible than most!" Signed boldly in full. Second, an AMS, 1p, 8" X 10", n.p., n.y. Very good. Mild edge wear and a bit of age toning. On cheap lined paper, Cutting has hurriedly penned in black ink some lines from a story, complete with a few crossouts and additions. Along the top, she has added, "From / Fairy Godmother / story finished March… Read More

New England author of Victorian potboilers such as "A Speedy Wooing, or, The Garden of Armida." ALS, 2pp, 4 3/4" X 7 3/4", n.p., n.y. November 6. Addressed to Mr. Barrow. Very good. Minor mounting along left edge of first page. Black-bordered mourning stationery. "Your love for children is so well known a fact that I send my little heroine to you with some confidence feeling sure that the account of her early days will make you regard the mistakes of her later years with generous indulgence...." Bold full signature.

Powerful, long-time syndicated gossip columnist whose "It Happened Last Night" ran for an astonishing forty years (1943-83). Odd ANS, 1p, 8½" X 5¼", n.p., n.y. [1974]. Fine. "But of course! I'm 6 months behind in my mail! Forgive me! Paste this in & save yourself the Postage..." Accompanied by a second item which explains the first, a typed letter from a collector (dated 28 December 1973) asking if Wilson would sign a book for him; Wilson adds "O.K. Do Send it along" and signs this note. Wilson's signature is well known among philographers, for the bloated "l" in Earl contains a crazed smiley face. A fun pair.

Prolific American author (all under the pseudonym "Holworthy Hall") of popular tales such as "Henry of Navarre, Ohio" (1914), "Paprika" (1916), "Pepper" (1916), "Dormie One and Other Golf Stories" (1917), "Egan" (1920), "Rope" (1922), "Colossus" (1930) and others. AMS, 1p, 8½" X 11", Paris, France, 1923 n.d. Near fine. Slightest bit of age toning. Page from an actual working draft on a sheet of lined notebook paper, headed (in Porter's incredibly miniscule but handsome script) "The Seller of Dreams / By / Holworthy Hall." Twenty-five handwritten lines of this tale follow. Porter has then, in pencil, inserted words here and there (sometimes entire lines) and crossed out a number of the inked lines. In the upper right corner, Porter then inscribes it "For Professor Johannsen / with the regards of / Harold E. Porter / 'Holworthy Hall' / Paris, 1923." Whether this tale ever made… Read More

English journalist and editor of the "London Observer" (1870-89). ALS, 1p, 4½" X 7¼", London, England, n.y. [1861-65] November 14. Addressed to "Holmes," probably the American poet Oliver Wendell Holmes. Fine. Civil War date letter introducing Holmes to "my friend George Sala, whose name is probably known to you as an English writer, and who is about to visit the United States as Special Correspondent of the 'Daily Telegraph.'" Sala (1828-95) served as the London newspaper's Civil War correspondent.

Irish publisher who fled to America, where he founded the influential "Pennsylvania Herald," "Columbian Magazine" and others. ALS, 1p, 7 3/4" X 9 3/4", Philadelphia, PA 1834 May 12. Addressed to Isaac S. Lyn. Very good. Minor binding traces along left margin; minor age toning. "I send you two of my publications...." Complains about not being sent postage. Uncommon.

French writer. ALS in French, 2pp, 7" X 5½", n.p., n.d. Addressed to Helas. Fine. "I really don't have much luck with the Rote... I have been told that I cannot cross countries to go see the work of the Cheminean at the Comic Opera..."

American novelist and short story writer best known for "Miss Lulu Bett" (1920). ALS "Zona," 3pp, 4½" X 7", n.p., n.d. Addressed to Meta. Near fine. Friendly, chatty note arranging a social visit in Oshkosh. Very attractive. Accompanied by a small printed magazine photograph of Gale.