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 signed “Peggy,” two pages, 7 x 11, personal letterhead, January 12, 1939. Mitchell writes to Blythe McKay in Macon, Georgia. In part: “I ate up every workd of your story about Sue’s departure and the excitement preceding it…. It was a grand story and written at the tempo and pace of the events it described…. After I had finished your story I throught of a number of people in New York who have no idea that there is a world outside of New York, a world full of people completely different from New Yorkers. I wanted to send them your story and say, proudly, ‘This is really the South, this represents the Southern towns where people have friends they love and appreciate, where everyone (including the telephone operators) may know everyone else’s business but the interest is so genuine and affectionate that no one minds’…. Today I had a letter from Mrs. Wilbur Kurtz [wife of Wilbur Kurtz, an Atlanta artist and architectural draftsman who served as a technical advisor on the movie version of Gone with the Wind]. While the information I am going to quote is certainly innocuous, please don’t let it get into the paper because perhaps Mrs. Kurtz would not wish it. ‘After getting Sue established in her room at the hotel, I took over to the Studio and I did not see her again till night—and was she tired!… She is not established in a lovely office in the main building, one adjoining Mr. Cukor’s [George Cukor, original director of GWTW who was replaced after three weeks of shooting]. Lamar Trotti [Hollywood story writer] phoned yesterday….” Accompanied by the original mailing envelope. A touch of subtle handling wear, otherwise fine, clean condition. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
