July 2020 Auction Ends Thursday, July 30th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/30/2020
Autograph letter signed by Margaret Bourke-White, with extensive content on her photojournalist career, including an upcoming lead story for ''LIFE'' magazine, working with different magazines, her autobiography, and riding a mule deep into the Honduras mountains for a story on Jesuit priests. Dated 24 October 1954 from her home in Darien, Connecticut, Bourke-White writes to author Edna Robb Webster in full,
''Under separate cover the two pictures of myself go out to you - the shots about which I wrote you. In one I am sitting in the Kennebec River in Maine taking pictures in a bathing suit; in the other I am in tropical helmet and rain cape riding on a mule thru the mountains of Honduras (working with priests on the Jesuit story - riding to very remote villiages [sic] thru the jungle. / I'm sorry there has been so much red tape about the Life pictures. All I can say about that is that it used to be much worse. There was a time when almost nothing that was taken for Life could be reproduced outside, but they've loosened up on that policy a great deal. Since I couldn't tell them for what magazine the pix were intended (note blank spaces in stamps on the backs) - just let me know as soon as you can. I fully understand the reasons given in your letter. Only please stay away from the Ladies Home Journal, and from the McCalls. Good Housekeeping groups, as my book publishers may do something in these directions - later - when my own book is finished. Just let me know soon as you can if & where something is placed. I'm glad to have you do it, on the basis of your excellent article, and am only sorry there has been such delay at this end. Good luck on it.
Alas I will not be in California - at least not before next spring. And while I am sorry, it is for a good reason. The aero-color shots of Food & Harvest regions went so well that LIFE has already put the story to bed & no room for more. It was laid out just this week - and will be the lead story in the magazine - 10 pages in color - I'm very proud & dazzled by it as you can imagine, for it's unusual to give such space to a piece like this. It will be called The Look of the Land, and will be in the special food issue Jan. 1, '55. / Best regards & I hope if all works out well. / Sincerely / Margaret Bourke-White''. Three page letter is composed on three sheets, with the first sheet on her personal stationery measuring 7.25'' x 10.5; sheets two and three measure 7.25'' x 11''. Folds, overall near fine condition.
Margaret Bourke-White Autograph Letter Signed With Content on Her Photojournalist Career -- ''...LIFE has already put the story to bed...I'm very proud & dazzled by it as you can imagine...''
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