Typed Letter Signed

This prolific American author of fiction and nonfiction wrote the screenplays for "The Jolson Story," "The Greatest Show on Earth" and other films. TLS, 1p, 8½" X 11", Brooklyn, NY, n.y. [postal cancellation 14 March 1940]. Addressed to Harry W. Zollars. Very good. Faint original folds. Chatty letter to an early admirer "about my novel DECADE. I am happy you enjoyed it and am very pleased that you have added it to your collection, I will of course sign your copy -- send it along. I like to sign people's copies of my books. Trader Horn once told me -- 'An author should always sign as many books as he can find. People never lend signed copies....' I think that is good advice. Besides which, being a collector myself -- I know what a signed copy means on the shelve." About his background, he notes: "I am, as you guessed, starting the '30s, was educated here there and lots of places -- and am now working on another novel to be published late fall or early spring -- said book to be called (if not changed) REPLENISH THE EARTH. Its about the Wall Street people who wrecked the Rowlandson Corps -- and of course The Old One will be on deck....." Born Chauncey Weiner or Wiener (he used both), the book "Decade 1929-1939" was his first book published under the pseudonym Stephen Longstreet. "Replenish the Earth" was apparently never published; it was reported in late 1940 that 20th Century-Fox had purchased the film rights to it, though such a movie was never produced. Boldly signed with his usual long 5½" signature in black ink. Curiously, below his signature he types his address and also "c/o P. Haggard" -- Paul Haggard being another of his several nom-de-plumes. With original envelope. An exceptionally early and typically interesting letter.