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Lot #492
John Dos Passos

"It's pretty tough on poor old Tom Paine after a century and a half"

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Estimate: $200+
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Description

"It's pretty tough on poor old Tom Paine after a century and a half"

TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, July 31, 1951. Letter to "Mr. Townsend," regarding Howard Fast's historical fiction work Citizen Tom Paine. In part: "About Fast's Tom Paine, which I find a particularly exasperating work: I have no objection to people's reading it if they are told what they are getting. It's pretty tough on poor old Tom Paine after a century and a half of being maligned as a 'dirty little atheist' to be labelled a weakling by the commies who (identifying themselves with Jacobins) misinterpret the noblest part of his career when he was face to face in Paris with the Terror. If you feed people Howard Fast why not at least mention the highly readable life by Moncure Conway? Of course you should list Marx, particularly his readable and amusing pamphlets on current politics which apply so well to the present scene. Lenin, like Hitler is one of the architects of our present miseries, and should certainly be included. I'd be in favor of listing one characteristic work by Stalin." In fine condition, with toning to the top edge.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
  • Dates: #547 - Ended March 06, 2019





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