January 2021 Auction Ends Thursday, January 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/28/2021
Fantastic set of three letters by Bruce Lee -- two typed letters signed, and one autograph letter signed, regarding the constant rumors of ''masters'' he had never met claiming to defeat or even kill him in a fight. Lee writes all three letters on his Jeet Kune Do stationery to William J. Chung, a kung-fu master in New York City during the 1960s. In Lee's first letter, dated 4 September 1967, he writes to Chung in part, ''...I do not know of any gentleman by the name of Bruce Fleetwood. As to his rumors about me, there are one hundred and one of them told to me every day...[signed] Bruce''. The name of Bruce Fleetwood may ring a bell to Bruce Lee fans, as that name appeared in a ''Letter to the Editor'', written by Chung that appeared in ''Black Belt'' magazine in its January 1968 issue, as part of a series of letters that Bruce Lee responded to.
The second letter, an autograph letter signed by Lee, is undated but from late 1967. In it, Lee writes, ''Dear William, Since the Green Hornet, many 'Masters' and 'Doctors' have either defeated me or killed me in a match. / The reason I write is that Black Belt has received many interesting letters after the first article and they are planning to print them. The letter you wrote, particularly the part about Bruce Fleetwood of Connecticut is most interesting. If you do not mind Black Belt put that special part in 'letters to the editors', drop me a line and give your approval. / Thanks / Bruce Lee''.
In Lee's third letter, also undated but from late 1967, Lee writes in part, ''Thank you for permission to print part of your letter in Black Belt. It will be exactly as you have written it with only a minor adjustment, and that is, instead of using 'you', Black belt will substitute the words 'Bruce Lee' for it, making it more like a letter to the editors of Black Belt. / Real weapons are not allowed in Hong Kong, and the closest things to what you want is by Wong Yick Kee, 46 Lee Tat Street, gr. flr., Kowloon, Hong Kong...[signed] Bruce Lee''.
This series of three letters were given by Chung to one of his students, whose signed LOA accompanies the lot. Each letter measures approximately 8.375'' x 10.75''. The autograph letter signed is composed in blue ballpoint and the typed letters are each signed in black felt-tip. Each letter has been mounted to flexible cardstock with red satin fabric attached to verso. Some haloing to the first letter, light discoloration to the third letter, and creasing and folds to all three. Letters retain strong visual appeal, with bold handwriting by Lee, overall in very good condition. With University Archives COA for each letter.
Fantastic Lot of Three Bruce Lee Signed Letters -- ''...Since the Green Hornet, many 'Masters' and 'Doctors' have either defeated me or killed me...'' -- With University Archives COAs
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