A Collection of 21 B. Traven Letters to Ruth Ford, with Related Material Including Three Books

Unbound. Fine. A magnificent archive consisting of 21 Typed Letters Initialed (as either "H." or "H.C.") from the elusive and fiercely private B. Traven, nearly all of the letters to the actress Ruth Ford, for whom he professes great love in many of the letters. Accompanied by three books, including a first American edition of *The Treasure of the Sierra Madre*, and assorted clippings. All of the letters Initialed by Traven as "H.C" or "H." as Hal Croves. Croves, one of several aliases used by Traven, was invented by the author in order to present himself as Traven's literary agent, and used mostly in his interaction with legendary film director John Huston throughout the development and filming of Traven's novel *The Treasure of the Sierra Madre*. The letters start in early 1947 and end in 1961, but the majority of them were written during 1947 and correspond with the production of the classic film. Many include references to day-to-day events of the film's production. These are dense letters, nearly all being single space typed. The letters average more than 500 words each, and one letter is over 2000 words. All of the letters have folds from mailing but are otherwise fine with about half of them accompanied by the original postmarked envelopes. Further details available upon request.