May 2025 Auction Ends Thursday, May 29th, 5pm Pacific
Lot of two H.L. Mencken letters initialed ''HLM'', addressed only to Dick regarding a persuasive ''brief''. Typed on his personal letterhead, letters are dated 16 and 18 May 1935, two weeks before the passing of Mencken's wife, Sara, from meningitis. In one of the letters Mencken mentions that ''Sara is going to the Adirondacks about June 1st and I'll be keeping bachelor hall until September'', indicating Sara's illness came on quite suddenly. After her passing on 31 May, Mencken was left grief-stricken and would never remarry.
First letter, dated 16 May 1935, reads in part, ''I have already explored the brief, and with great pleasure. It seems to me to be a really superb piece of argument...It was a pleasure to see you the other night. I only hope that the chance offers during the Summer for some real sessions. Sara is going to the Adirondacks about June 1st and I'll be keeping bachelor hall until September.''
Second letter, dated 18 May 1935, reads in part, ''I am now finished the brief, and offer my best congratulations on a really impressive piece of work. All of my prejudcies, of course, run in favor of the telephone company, but you shake me. It will take a powerful argument and liberal use of alcohol to bring me back to my normal frame of mind.''
Each letter measures 8.25'' x 5.375''. Folds and paperclip impressions to one. Minor smudging to signature of 18 May letter. Overall very good condition.
Lot of Two H.L. Mencken Initialed Letters from May 1935 -- ''...It will take a powerful argument and a liberal use of alcohol to bring me back to my normal frame of mind...''
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