TLS signed “Jack,” one page, 8.5 x 11, May 24, 1966. Letter to Richard Seaver. In full: “I adjure you, enjoin thee, and entreat youse to send back this phto [sic] after you’ve had it processed for book jacket: the picture is already framed here in my room, because of ‘Pitou’ the grey cat you see there in my arms, means ‘Little One’ in Breton French…Just take either just the face, even only the belly if you want, or all, with cat and all, make your picture in the processing room, and send photo back. It’s by Jerry Bauer, 11 rue Ancienne Comedie, Paris 6.” Some mild edge toning, as well as a couple trivial edge tears, and a few scattered creases, otherwise fine condition. This letter highlights his relationship with one of the key figures in the industry, Richard Seaver, then at Grove Press. Notoriously adventurous and instrumental in defying censorship, Seaver put Grove at the forefront of the emerging literary scene, bringing previously suppressed writers such as D. H. Lawrence, Henry Miller, and William Burroughs into the American market. The photo mentioned in this letter—taken by the ‘photographer of authors’ Jerry Bauer, responsible for some of the most iconic literary images of his day, including Simone de Beauvoir, Jean Genet, and Samuel Beckett—was likely used in conjunction with the publication of Sartori in Paris, released by Grove that same year. A wonderful letter with excellent industry associations to both the publisher who built now-legendary careers and the photographer who immortalized their images. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
(inquire for price)
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
