Lot 1146

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Description:

ZANE GREY
(1875-1939) Prolific American author of tales of the American West, including ‘Riders of the Purple Sage.' Fine content A.L.S. signed with his birth name ‘Pearl' 6pp. 12mo., [Columbus, OH, May 29, 1904], to his girlfriend Lina E. Roth – and later wife – who he called ‘Dolly'. The author adorns the first page of this letter penned on tiny lined sheet with sketches of flowers, and writes, in part: ‘…If you cannot get inspiration and exultation from the story expressed in these paintings above your imagination is a thing dead and buried. Well, well, I never thought you were downright cruel until that last letter. To think my Dolly would strike a poor, simple, innocent, defenseless little boy on the head! I have always known that selfishness and jealousy…were your great faults, and now I must add cruelty. I shall report you to the A.S.P.C.A. By the way, do you remember some time ago where a gentleman…informed you that teaching school was beautiful in theory, and distinctly disagreeable in fact? Do you recollect that he said the actuality was dirty little ill-smelling brats, and the ideality…went into eclipse? You can tell me all about it this summer when we are sitting in the flat-boat. I want to return to N.Y. sooner than I expected, and if I do I may come up to see you. I am sick of this town already…I don't believe a word of that taffy about your loving me if [I] didn't have a cent, and was in rags. But it sounds very pretty and effective…I'm afraid I grow less conceited the longer I know you. When I met you, I was some pumbknis [sic] of an ass, but I am gradually becoming humble. I suppose you will ruin me…There might be many dreams and pictures of…old by-gone times; perhaps faces that once smiled sweetly, memories that may never fade…and that sweetest and best thing of a wonderful past would be Dolly…'. With the original transmittal cover. The year after this letter, Grey would marry Dolly and publish his first best-seller, ‘The Spirit of the Border'. Fine.

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January 19, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000