Autograph Letter Signed

LATHROP, Dorothy. Autograph Letter Signed. Albany, NY: January 12, 1937. 4.5" x 5.5" card, folded. Letter is written on the right internal side of the card, with a printed illustration by the artist on the front. Envelope has been cut open at top, bears a 3 cent stamp and a postmark dated "Jan 12, 1937," and bear some light discoloration and edge wear. Handwritten and signed by the author, Caldecott Medalist Dorothy Lathrop.

A wonderful letter of gratitude from Dorothy Lathrop, the first person ever awarded the Caldecott Medal, written the same year her Caldecott Medal-winning book, Animals of the Bible, was published. The author/artist has written her reply on a notecard bearing an image she created of a chipmunk holding a walnut. She is writing to a young fan who had apparently written to her about her love for Lathrop's work. Lathrop goes on to describe the illustration that is featured on the front of the card, explaining that it is of a chipmunk that she had rescued and nurtured back to health after it was attacked as a youngster. The chipmunk had recovered from its injuries at the time of the letter writing, and the author/artist details the chaos that it has been causing in her studio since its recovery, going on to state that she will be setting it free in the coming spring. Included with this letter is a signed 1933 reprint of the 1930 Newbery Medal-winning Hitty, which was illustrated by Lathrop (binding a bit worn and soiled, endpapers lightly soiled, else internally clean). A wonderful ALS from this celebrated author and artist at the height of her career, clearly showing her affection for her young readers.