American author (1900–1949) whose single novel, Gone With the Wind, became one of the best-sellers of all time and spawned one of the most fabled movies in Hollywood history. She died after being struck by a speeding car at the age of 48. TLS, one page, 7 x 11, personal letterhead, February 17, 1937. Letter to Miss Martin. In full: “ I wish I could tell you how to find a first edition of "Gone With the Wind," but I can't. The truth of the matter is I do not own one myself, but I hope to secure one sometime soon. Your request for an autograph puts me in an embarrassing position, and I can only be frank and hope that you will understand my situation. I cannot autograph your copy and this is the reason. For five months I did the best I could in the matter of autographing. I was so very grateful for the public interest that I tried to oblige everyone. I still am as grateful as I was when my book made its first success, and still as completely overwhelmed by this success as I was in the beginning. Unfortunately, when the sales neared the million mark the requests for autographs rose in proportion. They came in in thousands-personal calls, letters, by wire and telephone-hundreds of copies were sent me through the mail. It took the entire time of myself, my secretary and my mail wrapping, addressing and standing in line at the post office. Things reached the point where I was forced to refuse to autograph for anyone, even relatives and close personal friends. I was having no rest or opportunity to attend to my heavy correspondence or my domestic duties. Since arriving at this decision some time back I have been forced to refuse many hundred requests. I have not broken my rule for, if I could not autograph for everyone I would not autograph for a few, some people and favoring others. This situation is not to my liking, and I know that it makes me appear unappreciative of my good fortune and of public interest, but the volume of requests has been so large that I have had to establish this rule in self-defense. I hope you will understand.” In fine condition.
Not even a year had passed since the publication of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Gone With the Wind, and as total sales passed the 1 million mark by the end of 1936, the author found herself overwhelmed not only with accolades but autograph requests. “Personal calls, letters, by wire and telephone—hundreds of copies were sent me through the mail,” Mitchell recalls, resulting in her creating a ‘no autograph’ policy when it came to such requests. Much to her credit, Mitchell stuck to her guns, refusing “to autograph for anyone, even relatives and close personal friends”—but ironically taking much longer to craft a lengthy letter outlining her position. Interestingly, as the pressures of fame mounted, Mitchell refused to offer any input on the film, and later lamented, ‘I hope I never write another thing as long as I live.’ Superlative contact as the writer tries to balance her good fortune, public interest, and a private life. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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