|
Sale 86
|
|
press UP arrow key to increase the zoom ratio.
press DOWN arrow key to decrease the zoom ratio.
press RIGHT arrow key to increase the zoom window size.
press LEFT arrow key to decrease the zoom window size.
|
|
Lot 435
Leonard Lyons Collection: Truman Capote & 22 Others. Collection of letters and cards to Leonard Lyons who wrote a column--"The Lyons Den"--in the New York Post from 1934 to 1974; the column was syndicated in over 100 newspapers.
Truman Capote sent seven autograph letters signed and nine postcards signed, from various places in Europe and covered in tiny writing, between 1952 and 1962. A 1952 ALS discusses the presidential election; he was for Stevenson and said about Eisenhower that "an old man-little boy" grin was no way to choose a candidate. He wonders, "Do you think they really will keep Chaplin from coming home…it is offering the European press a field day in anti-U.S. propaganda." In May 1961, he writes that Chaplin has finished his autobiography, has been offered $500,000 for it, and Graham Greene is editing it; he includes news of Lee Radziwill. In Oct. 1961 he reports that he has written more than half of his next book which will be titled, "In Cold Blood" and he is pleased that "the reviews of the "Breakfast" film…seemed rather good; several of his letters mention that he has to go to Kansas again. An undated letter reports, "Last week, in Madrid, the following celebrated folk dined together: Tenn. Williams, Ken. Tynan, Ors. Welles, Ava Gard., and…Jim Michener…." On Feb. 1, 1962, he says, "Oona Chaplin is pregnant again and has promised to give me the baby as she has no more room in her house…." and in Dec. 1962 he gives two pages of details of his lunch with the Queen Mother; topics included baseball, the Brontê sisters, Jane Austin, abstract painting, television, and her desire to serve on a jury one day.
Other letters in the collection include:
Eric Maria Remarque ANS, no date, sending flowers and good wishes from the author of "All's Quiet on the Western Front";
William Inge TLS (1955) regarding a column about "a noted playwright";
Russel Crouse TLS (1961) on his early years as a reporter with Ernest Hemingway;
Paddy Chayefsky ALS (1961) with condolences on Hemingway's death;
Lillian Hellman TLS (1939) about some charity work she is doing;
Princess Grace of Monaco printed Christmas card (1962) with family photo;
Anita Loos ALS (1962) to Mrs. Lyons
Somerset Maugham TLS (1962) thanking him for a birthday cable and good wishes;
Milton A. Caniff ALS (1943) saying the Army rejected him and he will continue to do "Terry [and the Pirates]"; a TLS (1946) thanking Lyons for a mention of the "Terry" movie;
Thornton Wilder ALS (1967) on a postcard, worrying about an Israeli friend in the Six-Day War;
Noel Coward TLS (1955) from Jamaica, saying the "Tippa Tappa has arrived" and thanking him; a 1962 TLS mentions that "Sail Away" is doing fine at the Savoy, and Stritch has made a great personal success"; with two signed Christmas cards.
Sammy Cahn TLS (1960) asking for the column about Milton Berle's birthday party;
Brendan Behan ALS (n.d.) describing an Irish funeral, and two telegrams;
Erskine Caldwell nine TlsS, one ALS (1938 - mentions future wife Margaret Bourke-White), a postcard, and a printed Christmas card;
Taylor Caldwell two TlsS (1957), one excoriating Lyons as being anti-Israel and a Protestant (he was an Orthodox Jew); with a carbon of his reply and her long reply
James Michener TLS (1958) mentions Truman Capote and says, "god bless the talented little twerp"; a second 1958 TLS mentions a book he is finishing and a play he is going to write;
Marc Chagall Just a "Merci! Chagall" on NYC hotel letterhead;
Ludwig Bemelmans TLS (1962) correcting a column saying he was collaborating with Allan Jay Lerner;
Clare Boothe Luce TLS (1942) correcting misinformation;
Also, notes from portrait photographer Philippe Halsman, author Fannie Hurst, playwright and producer Marc Connelly.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 10,000.
|
| |
| Realized $5,250 |
|
