Small Literary Archive of William Gault Letters--1954 to 1956 to Photographer, Poet and Beat Anthologist Arthur Knight

Small Literary Archive of William Gault Letters--1954 to 1956 to Photographer, Poet and Beat Anthologist Arthur Knight

13 typed letters signed plus two typed postcards. Letters signed "B" or "Bill" on 8.5 x 11-inch paper except for one undated note typed on verso of transcript which is ripped in half. Very Good Condition.

William Campbell Gault (1910-1995) was an American writer who spanned genres from crime and sports fiction to young adult novels. Gault was awarded the 1953 Edgar Award for 'Best First Novel' for his crime fiction novel, "Don't Cry for Me." His best-known character was a washed-up football player turned detective named Brock Callahan, publishing 14 Callahan titles from 1955-1992.

Arthur Knight began photography as a teenager when this correspondence began. Gault makes several references to the publicity shots which Knight shot of him, "And the picture you took of me with the cigarette in my mouth is on the inside rear flap and you got a credit line." Knight's work is credited on more than 200 dustjackets. Arthur and his wife Kit became involved in the beat and counterculture scene and edited and published numerous works including "The Beat Road" in 1982 which included works by Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Micheline and others.

These thirteen original signed letters, plus two postcards portray a mentoring relationship between a teen photographer and author 28 years his senior. William Gault makes many references to fellow authors with suggestions of colleagues Knight could photograph and to authors signing large contracts, "I am glad to hear that [Frank] Gruber got two million for the screen rights to his great book. He can use part of the money for a new toilet seat" Gault invites Arthur Knight to join a "Fictioneers" meeting at Bess Eiler's restaurant in Santa Monica.

The letters also show bits of humor and sarcasm and reports on forthcoming novels and submissions. Gault closes one letter with, "RUN KILLER RUN has been banned from the Los Angeles Library system as it is a vulgar and poorly written book, according to the head librarian. Oh me, oh my, he is probably a Zane Gray (sic) fan."

A nice archive filled with literary references and anecdotes, 1954-1956.

UC Santa Barbara and University of Oregon both holds William Gault papers. UCSB also holds the Arthur and Kit Knight Beat Collection.