Imprisoned for murder at the age of 18, Robert Stroud (1890–1963) spent more than 54 years in jail (47 in isolation), where he became a self-educated authority on birds and bird diseases and author of an important reference, Stroud’s Digest of the Diseases of Birds, published in 1942. TLS, two pages, 8 x 10.5, March 6, 1937. Stroud writes Fred E. Daw in Chicago. In part: “I have been pretty much out of touch with things in the bird world during the last few years…I hope that you have good luck with your red birds. It will be at least four years before you can hope to get good red birds that will breed true, however. The hens from first cross are infertile. The cocks are fertile for cocks, but if my experience means anything, they cannot produce hens…My little fellow produced eight males. Only one of the bunch showed any red.” In very good condition, with wrinkles, soiling, pencil notation and marks, and scattered staple and paperclip rust stains. Outstanding avian content! RRAuction COA.
