September 2013 Auction Ends Thursday, September 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2013
'Birdman'' Robert Stroud autograph letter signed from his prison cell at Alcatraz. Dated 29 August 1958, the famous prisoner and canary breeder's letter to a Stroud family member reads in part, ''Dear...Stroud, Your letter came this evening and I am glad to hear from you and to know that you are well. I am feeling fine and keep busy as usual. I was sure that you would have cooler weather as soon as I saw that weather mape [sic]. Our weather has been a little warmer, but not much. It is still far too cold, one night last week I...thought that it was going to rain, but it did not. We have to get at least one good heavy rain before there is any chance of much good weather here. I have not a lot of news. There are several things I should have heard this week but did not. I had letter from Fred, he had no news either. His wife was better. She was able to get up with help, but that is all...I guess he has had a hard time. For a while she was completely helpless, could not even feed herself. The son is out of the hospital and improving slowly. You was speaking about Virginia's house. Those old houses were so much better built in the first place than anything put up today, that most of them stood up well. I remember aunt Helen Stroud's place...was built by store labor of oak and black walnut lumber and hand dressed right on the place. Even the nails were hand forged. When I was there in 1905, it was over 50 years old and looked as good as the day it was built...I do not know if it ever flooded or not. The river was low when I was there...But I talked to a man not too long ago up from that locality and he knew the place and said it still seemed to be in perfect condition and was now a night club. It is some old place like that that I want to get a hold of if I get out. I would rather live in an old [illegible] than some of those modern boxes that I see pictures of. I would not have a house with ceilings less than ten feet high, and I would prefer 12 feet. Those low ceilings...offices and public buildings, would make me feel smothered. That place in Seattle, the two longer rooms were either 16 or 18 feet square. I forgot which...Most of the houses out here, excepting those built back in Spanish times, are very poorly constructed. That was true when I was down here in 1904 and it is even more true today, because the climate does not demand the kind of construction necessary in a more cold climate...But the only good building wood they have in this state is the Red Wood. It is a fine wood, but very soft. There is a lot of live oak, but that is no good for lumber, although one can make fine furniture out of it...There is no news. I hope this finds you well, Love, Bob, Robert Stroud #594''. Letter on ruled stationery runs 2pp. Expected toning and creasing, else near fine.
Birdman of Alcatraz Robert Stroud Autograph Letter Signed -- ''...if I get out...I would not have a house with ceilings less than ten feet...low ceilings...would make me feel smothered...''
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