Search Results: Literary Autographs from Charles Agvent

1853 & 1868. Letter. Creases from folding. Near Fine. Two one-page handwritten letters, both in French, dated 27 November 1853 and 29 February 1868, on 5-1/4" x 8-1/4" sheets of paper, each addressed to an unidentified publisher asking for the return of two manuscripts. Roughly, "After four unfruitful visits I finally secured an appointment and a promise of a reply. You did not keep the appointment. I believe it useless to prolong this game of hide and seek to which I am not accustomed and which it does not suit me to continue any further. Be so kind, Sir, as to put at my disposal the two manuscripts which I entrusted to you...." Jules de Goncourt published books together with his brother Edmond. Letters by Edmond are plentiful, but due to Jules's death at the age of 39 of a stroke brought on by syphilis, his letters are rather scarce on the market. The Prix Goncourt, the most prestigious prize in French language literature, is named for them.

1985-1996. Letter. Near Fine to Fine. Interesting group of letters between these two famous Irish Americans, all SIGNED as "Bill." In the earliest letter, Kennedy remarks about a speech by Moynihan on the Harriman legacy: "I note in the speech you call me 'incorrigible' which delights me.... I was relatively new to reporting when Harriman was governor, covered him a few times but was very remote from politics, far more interested in interviewing gamblers, winos, war heroes, and Louis Armstrong.... I loved your stories about Albany politics when we talked." In other letters, Kennedy discusses details of the movie version of IRONWEED, inviting Moynihan to its world premiere in Albany, and work on his new novel.

26 September n.y.. Letter. About Fine. A two-page handwritten letter on rectos of two 8-1/2" x 11" sheets SIGNED in full to Dr. Smyth. In part: "God bless you a million times, not only for the May Sinclair review & the way in which it was played up, but for your immensely generous personal letter about the book, which letter I have just read aloud to my wife. It wasn't just your liking the book that I appreciated; it was your taking the trouble to say so. We've taken this quiet home for a year…. It's joyous, after so many hotels, to have a home for a while.” Lewis discusses his lecture tour and asks Smyth to give his love to his wife: "I remember so happily our last party together in the garden -- & the priceless Something in glasses!"

Versailles, [@6 October 1908]. Letter. Creases from folding, light edge toning. Near Fine. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED "Marcel Proust." Four pages of a bifolium, 5" x 8", undated [circa October 6, 1908]. Written on mourning stationary and addressed to Max Daireaux, a man 13 years his junior whom he had met earlier that year in Cabourg, France, the inspiration for the resort town of Balbec in Proust's novel. Though undated, the letter has been identified as being written shortly before writing his magnum opus, REMEMBRANCE OF THINGS PAST. An English translation: "I had written you a tender letter, and one which, with a pride to which I am not accustomed, I believed to be witty! And for six days now we have been searching for it around the bed, under the bed, which I cannot rise from (I have been suffering more in the time since I came to Versailles than I have in years - what a life!), and cannot find it. So I resign myself to considering these affectionate secrets, these farcical stories burned, and I… Read More

Framed Letter. Fine, beautiful presentation. A brief letter completely in Frost's hand (5-1/2" x 5-1/2") matted with a photograph reproduction portrait of Frost (7-1/2" x 9-1/2") and two small brass plaques, one a nameplate and the other with the famous five last lines of "The Road Not Taken," all in a handsome wood frame under glass with a total size of 21" x 17". The full text of the letter, addressed to a Mr. Vance, is: "The warmth of your letter gives me a real reason this time for complying with this sort of request. Anything more I can do, more or less important, to deserve your friendship please let me know." SIGNED "Sincerely yours Robert Frost."

n.p., 13 September 1969. Letter. Fine. On personal stationery addressed to a Mr. Watson completely in Berryman's holograph and SIGNED by him at the conclusion. Berryman thanks him for his invitation but says his lecture and seminar schedule forbid him to accept.

Los Gatos, n.d. [April 1939]. Letter. Creases from mailing, including the pamphlet which has a vertical crease. Near Fine. One-page TYPED LETTER SIGNED in full in ink to Mrs. Holman [Zena Holman, wife of Wilfred Rensselar Holman of the historic Holman's Department Store in Pacific Grove, CA], responding to her question about the release of THE GRAPES OF WRATH on 5 April 1939 after it was scheduled for release on the 14th by Viking. Evidently bookstores began selling them earlier, and she has written him directly to ask if she can. Steinbeck writes: "I don't know why they have these release dates which no one keeps anyway. Apparently this book is being sold all over the state. And if one store does it I can't see any reason for others not to." She must have inquired about a pamphlet she saw in San Francisco that was being sold. "Enclosed is probably the pamphlet you speak of. I did not know that it was being sold or anything about it except that a few were sent me by Viking. As to the one in San… Read More

London, 26 July 1996. Hardcover. Folds from mailing, a few light creases. Near Fine. An interesting letter to poet Douglas Newton about her biography of author Angus Wilson, published in 1995. In part: "I found working on his life a most interesting (and exhausting) experience-- no more biographies for me, ever."

17 February 1969. Letter. About Fine. Two pages on rectos of two 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" sheets of personal stationery SIGNED to Mr. Bracker commenting on a manuscript sent to him and offering advice: "You have covered a representative list of good publishers with your ms. What you need is an agent, and getting a good agent is harder than getting a publisher." Smith was an American journalist, humorist, and writer whose books were popular in the 1940s and 1950s. His humor book LOW MAN ON A TOTEM POLE (1941) became a bestseller during WWII.

Bronxville, NY, 2 March 1937. Letter. Ink stamp of date received at bottom left margin; crease from folding. Near Fine. One page on 5-3/4" x 6-1/2" personal stationery SIGNED in full to Dramatists Play Service ordering "plays mentioned on the enclosed list [not present], as advertised in your latest announcement."