American character actor (1882-1964) best remembered for his roles in the Universal Studios horror films such as Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), and The Mummy (1932). Rare ALS signed "Uncle Van," penned on both sides of an unfolded 7.25 x 14 Christmas card, annotated 1958 in pencil. Handwritten letter to his nephew Bill and his wife Barbara, in part: "We were much interested in your account of the new home you have purchased…And I suppose that by this time you have greatly adapted it to your tastes and needs. I said 'purchased' since I hope that by this time the rental period is up, and you are in permanent possession, and can reconstruct to your liking…It all sounds too fascinating to me; and of course Aunt Myra's teeth grew visibly reading your description of it. She you know, has never become a Californian and her tastes are not squared up with Californian tastes. Let's hear sometime what your progress with it is…
Here we spend our days in most unexciting ways, having arrived at the stage of the game when simple and prosaic things and pleasures suffice, and days follow one another in methodical and uneventful sequence. But that is satisfactory too…My chief relaxation is furniture making, and poor Myra has to live with them. And I read—oh all sorts of things—no method or program…all kinds of novels—Westerns—Easterns; and I'm often surprised at the quality some of these lesser literary lights have. This sounds a bit snobbish—not meant that way—simply my ignorance, as I never was much of a novel reader." In fine condition, with a piece of old tape to the top edge.
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