TLS signed “Louis,” one page both sides, 7.25 x 10.5, Ramada Inn letterhead, February 12, 1968. Letter to a friend. In part: “I used to write a lot of letters but since I began writing for pay they have grown fewer and fewer…As you know, I’ve a movie in progress in Almeria, Spain. I am just writing this morning to see if the same company cannot shoot a fast 30 min. TV show on the Passage Graves in the area. I could write the copy to go with it, and narrate it myself. Have you seen the Mysterious West? It is a new book out by Choral Pepper of the Desert Mag and somebody else, and most of the stuff is old hat, but a couple of interesting chapters on a Roman inscription in the desert, a lead cross and some other remains, found near Tucson. Dr. Byron Cummings looked into the matter and decided they were authentic, but the site was never thoroughly checked out (although some digging was done) and finally was left alone…As always I have several projects going. I am doing a story on steamboating on the Missouri, one aspect of it, at least, and another on the Revolution, and am writing between times on the Cordoba book…My publisher now would like to get a big historical from me every 18 months, aside from the other books. We were briefly in San Diego...I visited the plant down there…where they distribute my books…Down the Long Hills went out to the tune of 10,000 copies there in the first distribution, and will probably sell three times that amoun [sic] in the San Diego area alone. However, that’s the best in the country…One morning when hiking up there I was walking alone and very quietly as always, and came face to face with a bighorn. He had been coming up the opposite side of the hill and we met at the end. When I opened my camera the click started him and he went down into the canyon and up the other side. I got a picture but the background was bad. I found a canvas reward poster for cattle rustlers up there, too. Offered by the California Cattleman’s Association…I have always intended to get in touch with them (if they still operate) and find out when that poster might have been put out…I’d guess the poster was at least 50 yrs old.” In fine condition, with mild overall toning and a red pencil note from the recipient to the upper right. RRAuction COA.
