Autographs

Bakersfield, CA: Not published, 1896. Original. not bound. Very Good. One page, in part: " . It is a far cry from Bryn Mawr to Bakersfield and now you understand why you have waited so long and--I trust--so patiently for this autograph. As March is not usually a month of roses in Philadelphia, I take the liberty of sending you a native of this land of sunshine and flowers. Sincerely yours, Robert J. Burdette." A four-page biography of Burdette accompanies this manuscript. 8" x 5.25". more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

Washington, 1949. not bound. Very Good. One page, six paragraphs on "Savings Bond" stationery, in part: "Of course I will be glad to write the letter for Jerry Wald. I hope it's not too late." (Wald is remembered as the person who later leaked word of the Marilyn Monroe nude calendar to the press to publicize the movie "Clash by Night".) In this letter, Byrd continues: "...I have been back at the old stand for about three months now. Washington is as hectic as ever...I want to congratulate you for the organization you have built up in Hollywood. I shall follow your pictures with the greatest interest....Affectionate regards from the Byrds to the Banks. Sincerely, Richard E. Byrd (signed as Dick)." 10.5" x 8 more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

Georgetown, CT, 1941. Very Good. One page, about 16 lines, regarding permission to use his article on "soil" or "conservation" in a textbook on composition. 11" x 8.5". more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

Nashville: Landmark, 1991. Original edition. not bound. Fine. Publicity photo-portrait, 10" x 8.5", inscribed in blue felt-tip ink: "Love to Glenn / Skeeter Davis / 6-12-91. Skeeter Davis was born Mary Frances Penick in 1931 in a two-room cabin in Kentucky. She first began singing with a friend, billed as The Davis Sisters, and accompanied on guitar by Chet Atkins. She joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1959, racked up 38 country hits, and sang crossover pop during the '60s, including the music of Buddy Holly. Ms. Penick died in 2004. more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

Paris, France: Not published, 1938. Original. not bound. Very Good. Postmarked at Grand Central Annex, NY, Feb. 22, 1938. " . I was born July 9th 1866--yesterday, I assure you! Sincerely, Ernest Dimnet." Dimnet wrote "The Art of Thinking," published in 1930 and still in print. 5.5" x 3.25". more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

Philadelphia: Not published, 1938. Original. not bound. Very Good. The author founded the Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, the oldest tuition-free art school in the US. One page, in part: " . It is gratifying to know that you hold me in such high esteem. The date of my birth is November the twenty-seventh, Eighteen hundred and seventy-one. Sincerely yours, Samuel S. Fleisher." 9.25" x 5.75". more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

Aurora, Illinois not published 1878-1883., 1883. Hardcover. Decorative leather binding and contents in very good condition. 2.75" x 4" 60pp entries Some entries are simply name and place (Aurora, Chicago, etc.), while others are full-page messages and sentiments. In 1881, Aurora became the first city to use electricity for street lighting. Illustrated by illuminated title-page. manuscript edition. Binding is leather/gilt. more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

East Aurora, NY: Not published, 1903. Original. not bound. Fine. One page, letterhead. Here is Elbert Hubbard as an aggressive bookseller, sending a "choice" volume to a customer on approval. "We are not sure that the book sent you this day will appeal to you. Anyway we want you to see a copy before the edition disappears. As you are a book-lover, we know you are glad to see these choice things. Should you not want the volume, simply return it at your convenience. Sincerely, Elbert Hubbard." 7.25" x 4.25". more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

East Aurora, NY: Not published, 1903. Original. not bound. Fine. One page on letterhead. Acknowledges her letter, has sent her a book, etc. ".I am glad you are interested in old Walt. One of my boys is making a life size statue of him, and we are all Whitman cranks here . Some fine day when I am in your vicinity, I am going to visit Walt's home and his tomb, and it is probable I will see you face to face." 7.25" x 4.25". more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

s.l. not published ca. late 1940s., 1940. Trace of pink at lower corner, else in very good condition. 7" x 4.75" Not easy to find. original photo edition. Binding is not bound. more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

Brooklyn, NY, 1983. Original manuscripts. Near Fine. The first letter, dated 5 February 1983, on Mailer's letterhead, is brief: "Dear Jane ____, OK, send me what you've written. It better be as good as your letter. Cheers, Norman Mailer" (signed). The second, dated 16 March 1983, contains 15 lines of text, in part: "Dear Jane, This'll take you out of your state .... I really like `New Jersey Turnpike' .... I know you can find some place to print it .... You're only 18 .... I think you're really a writer, and that's incredible. I almost never say that to people I don't know .... I can't believe I'm saying this--send me another one or two of your short stories .... we'll talk more about it....Norman Mailer (signed). Accompanying these two letters is one from "Jane" dated December 4, 2007, wherein the writer reveals that he "was posing as an 18-year-old cheerleader" when he wrote to Mailer because "...I felt he would be more likely to write to a teenage girl rather than to some 38-year-old bass fisherman who wrote bizzare stories at night after drinking six beers...," &c. Included are the two original envelopes imprinted with Norman Mailer's name and Brooklyn address. more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

Connecticut: Not published, 1969. First Edition. not bound. Fine. 4pp. This two-page, seasonal message re Lake Como (April 1969) was "edited nostalgically in December for his friends." On the front of this copy, the Connecticut poet has written in blue ink: "Dear Kitty-- Thank you for your kind note. I want to come see you, but New Haven is more realistic--I'd love to come down for dinner, or lunch, or better have you up, when you're there next." Gives the telephone numbers at his Connecticut College office and at home." Signed as Bill. 8.5" x 5.5". more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

Caldwell, NY: Not published, 1902. Original. not bound. Very Good. Paxton was graduated from Pennsylvania College [now U of PA] in 1843, authored discourses and sermons, etc. 1.5pp, in part: " . It gives me great pleasure to reply to such a kindly epistle. The date of my birth was June 7, 1824. The place was Adams Co., Pa. . Yours truly, William M. Paxton." 6.75" x 5.25". more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

Philadelphia: Not published, 1939. Original. not bound. Very Good. One page. Promotional letter from the revered Dr. R., purveyor of rare books, paintings and prints, antique furniture & objects of art. " . It is not often that the Rosenbach Galleries has a reduction sale, but we are now offering a straight 25% reduction.on Antique Furniture, Reproductions, Old and Modern Silver and Plated Ware, Paintings, Engravings, Fine Etchings, Prints, China, Porcelains, Bronzes and Lamps. Each one when we obtained it was selected with the greatest care.This is one of the choicest collections in America.In case you are unable to pay a visit.we shall be glad to send photographs and quote you the special prices.Yours very sincerely.A.S.W. Rosenbach." On the back, curiously, is a carbon of a half-page letter to "Dear Miss Julie" with corrections in ink. He is thanking her for a pin that she sent from the Poconos. He mentions a Miss Coe "whose things were stored in Chicago," with whom he arrived back in Philadelphia at 1 A.M. Sunday, and for whom he is to sell some pieces on consignment. ".While Mr. duPont will be away August 7th, his Secretary, Mr. Otwell, will show us through the house at Winterthur.The rooms at Winterthur `have never been counted'. I don't know whether we shall see 100 of them, but I'll warrant that you will see enough to make you dizzy.," &c., &c. 11" x 8.5". more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

NY: Not published, 1895. Original. not bound. Very Good. One page, written clearly in black ink. Sends her autograph and thanks Miss Bridgman "for your very kind and sweet letter . Cordially yours ." Signed in full. 8.25" x 5.25". more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)

Not published. Original. not bound. Good. Suitable for mounting with a portrait. 2.5" x 4.75". more information

Offered by R & A Petrilla, Booksellers (United States)