ALS signed “The Great Man,” two pages, 8.5 x 11, March 23, 1939. Fields writes to his mistress Carlotta Monti, whom he refers to as “Katrinck.” In part: “Your letter was rather vague. Your wire $300 and expenses sounded very business like, that is why I did not give it more consideration. You see I was under the impression you were returning to Calif. I did not know you contemplated remaining in NY all summer. The best you could get (if you got anything) would be $900.00 and probably you are right, it is not worth the gamble.
“It is admirable that you are working so hard to make the grade. Use a lot of thought. Be sure you are on the right track and it will be ‘loves labor lost.’ I cannot give you any advice. I’d feel like a chump if I did. Would you accept the advice of an ignorant bum in preference. Surely you can’t expect me to take an interest in your future when my advice goes unheeded.
“I will let the Rube Walter go by default he will have escaped again. However I have asked if it would be OK to take a deposition from you in NY. If that goes through I will send you the papers. Keep well and use your head. Give yourself a break.” In fine condition, with intersecting mailing folds, one through a single letter of signature, and some scattered light wrinkling and toning. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Fields’ hand.
Fields was enjoying accolades bestowed upon him following the recent release of You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man when he wrote Monti, a B-movie actress who carried on a 14-year romance with the actor. Equally intriguing is his apparent reluctance to “not give…more consideration” to an apparent request for funds, considering that Fields was paid an astonishing $100,000 to star in the film, with an additional $25,000 for the screenplay. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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