TLS signed “Margaret Mitchell Marsh,” one page, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, July 23, 1948. Mitchell writes to literary agent David Grunbaum. In full: “I am so glad you have received some of the packages. This week I am sending you six cans of sliced pineapple. I do not know why there is a shortage of the sliced variety. These six are the only ones I could find; they cost $2.70. That leaves $23.89 due you on the Finnish royalties, and I will expend it on coffee and gluten flour.
I recently received from Aschehoug in Oslo a check for $152.11, which represented royalties from ‘Gone With the Wind.’ There was no indication as to whether or not your commission had been paid, so I wrote and asked them. I have just received their reply, which was as follows:
‘We are in receipt of your letter dated June 29th and beg to inform you that we have paid Mr. Grunbaum provision neither of the amount $152.11 nor of the amount $6.036.21. 10% og [sic] these sums are still owed to him.’
I am embarrassed to learn that you had not been paid your commission of $603.62 on royalties paid me by Aschehoug last January. I suppose I took it for granted that there was an unregulated financial exchange between Norway and Denmark and I thought that you had been paid. I now acknowledge that I owe you $603.62 from last January’s royalties and $15.21 from the recent check I have received. This makes a total of $618.83 commissions on Norwegian payments. Please tell me what disposition you want made of this sum.”
In fine condition, with a few subtle wrinkles and three small rubber-stamped stars to left blank area.
The popularity of the 1936 novel, bolstered by the release of the 1939 film, continued to grow throughout the late 1930s and into the 1940s, earning Mitchell continued royalties from around the globe—including, as identified here—Norway. The film was immensely popular in that Scandinavian country, leading to reprints produced on a fairly regular intervals. The book royalties continued for more than a decade following the work’s initial release, up until Mitchell’s tragic death in 1949. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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