March 2016 Auction Ends Thursday, March 31st, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/31/2016
Fantastic Harper letter signed, with an additional autograph note signed at the conclusion. Written to her friend Doris on 11 October 1990, Lee discusses the politics of race and literature: ''...Much thanks for the 'Black Warrior Review'. It's excellent. I shall subscribe to it...I don't think there's been an honorary degree from Alabama [University] to anyone who put pen to paper since Hudson Strode, and I'm not sure if that was for his writing or for his teaching. More than once I've wondered if the University is afraid to honor such potentially dangerous people as writers: after all, you never know what they'll say next. Husdon, though, was absolutely safe -- he wrote travel books and a (fine) biography of Jefferson Davis. Nowhere in his writings can one find a hint that a Negro's bus fare might be as good as a white's, nor find anything of nature that could possibly offends the sensibilities of the Trustees. I have a feeling that after Hudson, the authorities said Duty Done and turned their attention to serious like the annual Sugar Bowl bid. Now that we're not going anywhere this year, maybe they can spare a few minutes for somebody who's given us a lifetime of good writing. I do hope so...[signed] Nelle''. Other excellent content includes her consternation of strangers asking her for money and gifts: ''...You will never believe what people take it into their heads to ask for: everything from, 'Send two autographed first editions of Mockingbird' to 'Send $850 to help me get a new TV-VCR machine so I can look at the movie.' They don't even say please...'' At the conclusion of the letter, Lee pens a note in blue ink, ''Forgive me if this letter sounds ungracious & ungrateful, but I've written so many postcards this week I'm just about nuts. The wretched 'Parade' went as far as Hawaii, from whence came 7 pages''. Letter measures 8.5'' x 11''. Uniform toning, otherwise near fine. With original envelope.
Harper Lee Autograph Note Signed at the Conclusion of a Lengthy Typed Letter Signed -- ''...Forgive me if this letter sounds ungracious & ungrateful...'' -- Also With Exceptional Racial Content
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