Autograph Letter Signed by THOMASON, John William, Jr. (1893-1944)

This U.S. Marine served with distinction during World War One as well as in Cuba and China, later assigned to Admiral Chester Nimitz's staff during World War Two, but he's largely remembered as an author who often illustrated his own books -- "Fix Bayonets" (short stories, 1926), "Jeb Stuart" (1930), "Salt Winds and Gobi Dust" (short stories, 1934), "Gone to Texas" (novel, 1937), "Lone Star Preacher" (novel, 1941), "--and a Few Marines" (short stories,1943) and others. ALS, 1p. 8½" X 11", Washington, DC, 5 March 1941. Addressed to Arnold F. Gates (1914-93, future notable Lincoln/Civil War scholar). Near fine. On his imprinted letterhead, Thomason thanks an adirer for birthday wishes, adding, "I am glad you like my old rebel. There will be a last story about it in the near future. Then I am supposed to start another series about a marine...." Boldly penned in blue ink in Thomason's fluid script. The "old rebel" likely refers to his 1930 biography Jeb Stuart" and "another series about a marine" to his 1943 "--and a Few Marines." Nice content and rather uncommon.