American novelist (1892–1977) best known as the author of such crime/noir classics as The Postman Always Rings Twice and Double Indemnity. Two TLSs signed “Jim,” one page each, 8.5 x 11, both on personal letterhead addressed to Mrs. Connor of Who’s Who in America. In the first letter dated May 6, 1968, Cain writes on behalf of a bashful friend who had neglected to fill out his Who’s Who questionnaire, in part: “…in spite of his whopping success as a physician…and prominence in state affairs, he suffers a bit from a case of the shys—his thumb gets caught in his mouth, and he sucks it, not sensibly, but too well.” The second letter, dated May 25th of the same year, expresses gratitude, in part, for “your courteous compliance with my request…So we have enough Big Shots, haven’t we? I confess I rather like it. Minoqua, I love you—you can’t imagine how I yen to be there. At least one can dream, No?” In very good condition, with intersecting folds which lightly affect both signatures, light creasing, and a few areas of soiling to the first letter. RRAuction COA.
