[Westerns] [Pulp] Manuscripts for Western Adventure Books by Lynton Wright Brent, with TLS and Photograph

1971. [Westerns] [Pulp]
Manuscripts for Western Adventure Books by Lynton Wright Brent, with TLS and Photograph, 1969-1971

A trio of manuscripts authored by film actor and prolific author of sexually-charged Western pulp novels, Lynton Wright Brent.

Brent was born in Chicago in 1897. He appeared in over 240 films between 1930 and 1950 and was best known for small roles in copious Three Stooges pictures. In 1936 he published a small work entitled "Gittin' in the Movies." Written in a country slang, the cheeky volume advised on how to finagle one's way into Hollywood films. Nearly ten years later "The Bird Cage," widely considered to be Brent's first novel, was published, and his "Lesbian Gang" came out almost 20 years after that. Per Brent's Wikipedia page, the book, "though little recognized when first published in 1964" has "achieved notoriety among a niche queer audience in Peckham, England." We weren't able to discover much of what the author did on his breaks between work, though a 1945 newspaper article we found online touched on his dreams of stage production. He apparently authored a play called "The White Apache," set in Tombstone, Arizona: "Packed with action and historical highlights, the show has been cast with Hollywood names...According to the author...the play will tour the Southwest before going to Broadway."

Brent then cranked out a slew of novels in the 1960s, many Western-themed and heavy on the pornographic content, with titles like "Lavender Love Rumble," "Passionate Peril at Fort Tomahawk," "The Sex Demon of Jangal" and "Violent Love Stalks The Plains." Several of these works list the publisher as "Brentwood," which we imagine may have been founded by Brent himself. He died in Los Angeles in 1981.

This collection includes the following manuscripts:

1. "The Sundown Kid: Four Action-Packed Western Novelettes." Powell Western Classics #7. Handwritten "Fin. 4-15-69" to top edge.

210 typed leaves (rectos only) with handwritten corrections, including mockups for front cover and back blurb, three-hole punched and brad-bound in 11.5" x 8.75" gray Amfile folder. "The Sundown Kid" handwritten in title square to front, "Copy" to top edge. Very good plus with light creasing to first page (front cover mockup) and a touch of edge wear to a few leaves, folder toned with a few tiny tears.

"When the SUNDOWN KID knew that he was right, he would SHOOT TO BACK UP HIS CONVICTION!" "Buffaloed" by a female adversary, he "settled his predicament with PALE FAWN--he couldn't shoot her, and so HE MADE LOVE TO HER!"

Internal title page reveals this to be the manuscript for the First Printing, 1969, published by Powell Publications, Inc. out of Reseda, California. Last page advertises other "exciting" titles in the Powell "Crime Series" and "Western Classics."

2. "Prairie Wagons, West: 4 Action-Packed Western Novelettes." Powell Western Classics #8. Handwritten "5-4-69" to top edge and notes for a "Picture" on first page (front cover mockup).

210 typed leaves (rectos only) with handwritten corrections, including mockups for front cover and back blurb, three-hole punched and brad-bound in 11.5" x 8.75" gray Amfile folder. "Prairie Wagons, West" handwritten in title square to front, "Copy" to top edge. Very good plus with light toning and wear to folder edges, some faint scattered scuffs and bits of stray ink.

A tale of a "stalwart and determined man," Bill Streeter, who "knew well enough that DANGER LURKED TREACHEROUSLY across the GREAT NORTH AMERICAN PLAINS" and who was willing to "risk the threat of MARAUDING INDIANS AND WHITE OUTLAWS, to aid in the development of the WEST."

Internal title page reveals this to be the manuscript for the First Printing, 1969, published by Powell Publications, Inc. out of Reseda, California. Last page advertises eight Powell titles, with page counts, all authored by Brent.

3. 395 typed leaves (rectos only) with handwritten corrections, including mockup for front cover blurb, three-hole punched and brad-bound in 11.5" x 8.75" green Amfile folder. "The Bird Cage" handwritten in title square to front. Very good, with some edgewear to folder and a bit of adhesive residue inside rear.

A historical novel about Tombstone, "Arizona Territory," which "sprung out of the dirt" in 1879, "eventually to yield 80 million in silver." The focus is the town's Bird Cage theater, which served as "recreation to weary miners, reckless soldiers, and bold outlaws. They all crowded into the audience to watch the girls kick up their heels, peddle drinks--and to offer more exciting favors."

Accompanying this manuscript is a typed letter from Brent to the editor of the "Tombstone Epitaph," dated October 1971. In the letter Brent suggests a reprint of the work, "an action novel apropos of a theatrical troupe coming to Tombstone to play the BIRD CAGE THEATRE. Some of the violent action takes place in the offices of the TOMBSTONE EPITAPH." He shared that he lived at the mayor's house in 1944 while writing the book, which was "released throughout the nation" in 1945. He signed the letter with his initials over a typed note identifying him as the "Author of 84 published paperback novels." Also present is a 5" x 7" glossy B&W photograph of the book in its original dust jacket, with Brent's handwritten notes to verso regarding its original publication (July 1945 by "Wm. H. Warrance & Co., Philadelphia") and his return address. Both letter and photo about very good, with some light creasing.

Brent's published work is scarce; OCLC lists 15 titles, most of which have only one or two holdings, and 23 of "The Bird Cage." No manuscripts or other archival materials of the author were located online or in the trade. Extra shipping due to weight.