Hunter S. Thompson Letter Signed on 17 May 1965, the Day His Hell's Angels Article Debuted -- "…I may be on the verge of writing a book…on what they call 'fringe types'…"
Hunter S. Thompson typed letter signed "Thompson" in red ink, written on the address panel of this aerogram sent to his childhood friend Paul Semonin. Letter is dated 17 May 1965, the same day that "The Nation" published "The Motorcycle Gangs", Thompson's article on the Hell's Angels, which he ironically refers to in the same sentence as he does an eviction notice. Letter reads in part,
"Dear Punk…I was evicted again on Saturday, 30 days notice. It's getting to be a pretty old story and no damn fun at all. On the day I was evicted the Nation arrived with mine as the lead article, which I'll send ASAP but not too quick because I'm in no hurry for your supercillious [sic] comments…I should also warn you not to come back here expecting me to be sucking around for ways to 'agree with you.' I thought you understood that our relationship precludes the possibility of any formal agreement; the day I can 'agree' with you I'll look for somebody else to keep sharp on. So if you want to picket the Blue Boar go right ahead, but count me out. My activism extends as far as these typewriter keys. Which is a lot further in the long run than most other people's.
I may be on the verge of writing a book for Pantheon (Random) on what they call 'fringe types.' It depends now on how they react to my letter demanding money, sent yesterday. If you feel up to writing say 50,000 words on the African bit I can line you up with a sympathetic editor…Send her an impressive piece of writing and long, fairly loose letter saying what you've been up to for the past few years. Your credentials are unimpeachable and should pique her interest. Toss in a bit of wry humor, such as the awful demands of your 'Afro-Chinese girl.' She seems to get a boot out of gutty hints here and there…
Thompson then handwrites a funny fact about their mutual friend Eugene McGarr, who's "now 'arts editor' of a new magazine called Status, owned by Igor Cassini…" He continues in type on the verso, describing an interaction he had with the man who rents him his typewriter: "the man said what the hell just keep it and pay when you can. He says he admires my guts and his son wants to be a writer so maybe I can give a few hints. This is the 'savage merchant' I knocked in my last letter, so just for the record, I was wrong. The trouble with this country is that the poor don't trust each other…At the moment I am in the snare of the law for many unpaid traffic offenses but with Clancy's expert help I think I managed to beat the five-year tax rap…As for Aspen, let' try to make it as close to the first week of September as possible. I want to get out there before Labor Day and do a piece on the Writer's Conf., a new Institute gimmick…Dr. Sacks". Two page letter (front and verso) measures 7.25" x 12". Chips on sides from opening, a few pinholes and light toning. Very good condition.
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Hunter S. Thompson Letter Signed on 17 May 1965, the Day His Hell's Angels Article Debuted -- "…I may be on the verge of writing a book…on what they call 'fringe types'…"
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