March 2020 Auction Ends Thursday, March 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/26/2020
Hunter S. Thompson typed letter signed ''HST'' in type, with Thompson circling his initials and also handwriting the address panel to Paul Semonin in Madrid, Spain. Writing on an aerogram dated 20 March 1962, Thompson writes about being ''in jail'' working on his novel ''The Rum Diary'', Juan Peron's possible takeover of Argentina, and more. Letter reads in small part, ''...You are indeed getting old and crazy. Today's letter hit a new low. How you can fail to understand that the same object might be etched on film by two people is beyond me...I sent you some money that will help where you need it most...You probably out-earned me last year, but when I look to my left and see pg 261 of my final draft I don't feel too bad about it. And since we are stacking up assets, know that I have four guns that cost as much as your house...I'd advise you to stop thinking about age 30. The future is the next 6 months -- no more. We'd all go mad if we looked too far ahead. At least I know I would...''
Thompson then writes about the turmoil in Argentina, with President Arturo Frondizi just having annulled the elections that gave significant power to the Peronists. ''...South America is blowing wide open now & I'm half-wild to get there. You could undoubtedly pick up a C-J [''Louisville Courier Journal''] check with a Peron story from Madrid. Just write down what you hear in the streets, or the best opinions you can get; do it first-person & pack in the atmosphere...You know -- 'I am here with Peron & here's what they say he's going to do.' But keep it general, for gods sake, because he's likely to do anything. The story just broke this morning & if you deal fast you have a sure sale...But don't play pundit. By the time I put this in the mailbox Peron may be on his way to Argen for a takeover. This is a big, bad thing & hits the U.S. right in the balls. It might even be the crack in the dam...I leave my cell for 30 minutes each day, to walk in the park by the river. Just to clear my lungs. The rest of the time I either sleep or write. I rarely see Sandy, much less anyone else. She is safe...my only interest is to finish this fucker and get out. I might as well be in jail. Writing a novel is the shittiest thing a man can undertake. Most of my S.A. [South America] deals have fallen through, but I am going anyway. Without luck, it could turn sour & make Bermuda look like a picnic. God I hope not. I am getting too old for that. My final word is don't waste your money on clocks. HST''. Aerogram measures 7.125'' x 12'', with content on front and verso. Light wear, overall very good to near fine condition.
Hunter S. Thompson Letter From 1962 -- ''...Writing novel is the shittiest thing a man can undertake...''
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