March 2019 Auction Ends Thursday, March 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/28/2019
J.D. Salinger typed letter signed, with unusual content regarding several of his short stories: ''Bananafish'', ''Teddy'' and ''Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut''. Salinger writes to a Mrs. Walker on 16 April 1953 from his home in Windsor, Vermont in part, ''...About Seymour's suicide in 'Bananafish.' You say that people with humor do not kill themselves easily. You may be right, but it's also possible that you're overestimating or mis-categorizing the properties of humor. As I see the matter, humor wins out only on points, and when there are no points left, humor (i.e., wit) removes itself, too, and with it, all or most possibilities of victory, small or large...As for 'Teddy,' I'm sorry he kept you awake all night, and sorry that your husband and friends thought the ending clever and gimmick-like. It's hard to please, God knows, and that's about all I can say on the subject, beyond the fact that the ending seemed inevitable to me...[signed] J.D. Salinger''. Single page measures 8.5'' x 11''. Separation starting along some two fold lines, otherwise near fine condition with a bold signature.
J.D. Salinger Letter Signed From 1953, Commenting on Several of His Stories -- ''...About Seymour's suicide in 'Bananafish'...''
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