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Some of our most valuable and collectible items in the Rare Book Room are letters and holographic documents from authors and famous people throughout history. When browsing through these items, be sure to keep in mind an important distinction between letters and holographic documents. While letters can be typed or handwritten, holographic documents are documents that have been completely handwritten in the hand that signed the paper. Some of the letters showcased were written from authors to other writers, and others are personal missives in the form of journals and diaries. As with all delicate and fragile items, careful and appropriate care and handling is required, but these letters are well worth the trouble, as they often provide deep and personal insight into our favorite authors and historical figures.
Paris, 1953. One and one half page pen and ink letter (26.5 x 21.5 cm.) on single sheet of pale blue Paul Cushing Child stationery, with ink date stamp ("May 18 1953"), addressed, "USIS. 5 Place de Rome, Marseille (B du Rh)". ~ An early letter from Julia…
In 1972, David Bowie released his groundbreaking album The Rise and F all of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. With it landed Bowie's Stardust alter-ego: A glitter-clad, mascara-eyed, sexually-ambiguous persona who kicked down the boundaries betwe…
From Kedarah
Vietnam, Thailand, and elsewhere in Asia as well as the United States, Europe, and the Middle East ca. 1964-1974: Compiled by Jacob Harris, an American who served as a Senior Police Advisor in Vietnam and Thailand during the Vietnam War, 1964 - 1974, 1964…
From BUCKINGHAM BOOKS
1983 - 1990. Letters. Folds from mailing. Near Fine. Superb archive of seven letters from the author of ANGELA'S ASHES to R'Lene Dahlberg, fellow teacher at Stuyvesant High School, friend, wife of author Edward Dahlberg, and muse. Mostly chatty correspo…
From Charles Agvent
1902. September 22 [1902]. Written to Mr. [William V.] Alexander, editor of Ladies Home Journal, who had requested a series of articles from Keller that were later published as The Story of My Life. Keller humbly thanks Alexander for payment for the last …
Hartford, 20 February [ 1875].. One page, in ink, on octavo ruled lettersheet. Folded for mailing, else very good or better. To James R. Osgood, then principal of James R. Osgood & Company, and later publisher of THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER, and other titl…
DAVIS, JEFFERSON. (1808-1889). American secretary of war and president of the Confederate States. ALS. ("Jeff. Davis"). 4pp. 4to. Washington, D.C., January 3 and 4, 1848. To "My Wife," VARINA BANKS HOWELL DAVIS (1826-1906). "After long expectation and pai…
Stormfield, Redding, CT, 1909. Two pages, in ink, on two panels of a folded oblong quarto sheet of letterhead. Ca. 125+ words. Folded for mailing, tanned from having been at some point framed, a few faint smudges, small chip at lower edge affecting one l…
David Young Cameron. Autograph letter from Cameron to Mr. Shields dated 15.3.1912. Shields was probably a patron. Cameron mentions a "Ben Ledi" drawing, which was the subject of one of Cameron's greatest prints. One page (written on 4 sides), previously f…
From Glocal Matters
Washington, D.C., 1871. unbound. Three-page handwritten letter with outstanding content, 8 x 5 inches, Washington, D.C., June 22, 1871. Written to former Confederate Brigadier General Marcus J. Wright, commander of the District of Atlanta, in full: &quo…
From Argosy Book Store
Washington, D.C.: Office of the Vice President, 1953. Near Fine. 1 typed letter on Office of the Vice President letterhead with eagl watermark, signed by Richard Nixon, dated 7 July 1953. Nixon was sending forms to Bryan F. LaPlante, Chief, Washington …
CHURCHILL "BUYS" BALFOUR A CAR!CHURCHILL, WINSTON S. "Confidential" typed letter signed by "Winston S. Churchill" as Chancellor of the Exchequer, with the name of the recipient "Bran" and part of the date "13" handwritten by Churchill.One page with the bl…
N. P.: Privately written by le Carre and drawn by Chas, 1995 & 1991., 1995 & 1991. First edition. An autograph letter signed from John Le Carré regarding the retirement of George Smiley. Written in black ink on the author's l…
From BUCKINGHAM BOOKS
[Santa Barbara ; Cambridge, 2003. A convolute of correspondence, photographs, and other materials documenting the relationship between American icon Julia Child, and Beverly Jackson, reporter, novelist, collector, and a legend of the social circles of Sa…
St Louis. MO, 1940. One page autographed letter signed, from Irma Rombauer, author of The Joy of Cooking, and a major figure in the history of American cooking. Addressed to Louise [Diallo],The last name was supplied by the seller and is not indicated on…
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