TLS, one page, 7 x 11, personal letterhead, January 12, 1937. Letter to "Mr. Emery," replying to a letter about Gone With the Wind. In full: "If my book made you forget your surroundings even for a short while, then I feel that the labor I put into it was labor well spent. You were more than kind to write and tell me that you liked 'Gone With the Wind' and I thank you for your letter.
You say that you have no idea how 'the people on the outside' are receiving my book, so I will write you a few details. Last month the book had sold a million copies in six months and my publishers tell me that this set a world record. I am completely overwhelmed by its success as I never expected to sell more than a few thousand copies here in the South. I am enclosing for you copies of a book review which was published immediately after the book went on sale, and also a little pamphlet put out by The Macmillan Company.
No, I have never written anything else. However, I was a newspaper reporter for several years on The Atlanta Journal. Except for my newspaper articles, 'Gone With the Wind' is the first thing I have ever published.
I suppose that the character of Archie naturally interested you. From childhood I heard stories of the men who went out from the Georgia Penitentiary to fight for the Confederacy. They always interested me very much. I remember asking one old veteran what became of these men. He told me that many were killed in the last days of the War, fighting bravely. He also said, 'I know several who are living right here in Atlanta now under names they were never born with. Most of us old veterans know them, but we have never told even our wives who they are. They were brave men and they had paid whatever debts they owed and we felt they had won the right to normal lives.'" In fine condition, with some light soiling and intersecting folds.
Upon its release in the summer of 1936, Gone With the Wind swiftly captured the hearts and imaginations of readers, garnering widespread acclaim for its sweeping narrative and vivid characters. Margaret Mitchell's depiction of the antebellum South amidst the turmoil of the Civil War resonated deeply with audiences, propelling the novel to unparalleled success. Critics hailed Mitchell's storytelling prowess and her ability to evoke a sense of place and time with remarkable detail. The book's commercial triumph was equally impressive, achieving over one million sales by December 1936. Its popularity surged further with the release of the iconic film adaptation in 1939, solidifying Gone With the Wind's status as a timeless classic.
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