Rare and very early ALS signed “Marlon,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 7, May 6. Letter to a young lady named Mary. In part: “I’m sorry about not calling, but I didn’t have your telephone number and I couldn’t get it through information. When I finally received it, it was too late to call. You must have waited and waited. I know the feeling is terribly antagonizing. Really I’m truly regretful. I want to know if you had a good time at your pajama party. Usually when you decide to have a good time it never quite comes off. I spent a very dull and restless night and all had a rather miserable time. Oh! God, I’m just babbling about nothing. I haven’t anything I wish to express at even the minimum of length to anybody. I’m grumpy and morbid, tired, and I’m sick of this town. I’ll write again when I’m in a somewhat more pleasant frame of mind. Good night Mary. Most of all try to be a good girl. My love to you and your Mother.” This letter seems to be circa 1946, when Brando would have been 22 years old. In 1946 he appeared on Broadway as the young hero in the political drama A Flag is Born, and co-starred opposite Katharine Cornell in Candida and briefly toured with Tallulah Bankhead in The Eagle Has Two Heads the same year. Soon after, Brando would achieve stardom, as Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams’ 1947 play A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Elia Kazan. In very good condition, with intersecting mailing folds, one through a single letter of signature, stains to the final two paragraphs from old glue remnants on reverse, and some scattered light creasing and wrinkling. Scarce in any form, Brando is essentially nonexistent in handwritten letters. With its mix of endearing sentimentality and trademark moodiness, this is a particularly interesting one-of-a-kind example! RRAuction COA.
