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Lot #19
Raymond Chandler

"If I could recreate that strange sordid steamy lazy corrupt ingrown, and yet so human feeling of shabby life below the line, I shouldn't have stopped with one book"

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Estimate: $1500+
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Description

"If I could recreate that strange sordid steamy lazy corrupt ingrown, and yet so human feeling of shabby life below the line, I shouldn't have stopped with one book"

TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, January 18, 1954. Letter to Mr. Lovell, in full: "I'm now not sure I was right about the short story collections Avon. On checking I find that I do have two new copies of 5 Murderers Avon No. 63 and 5 Sinister Characters Avon No. 28. But the first item mentioned above is in the small format, pocket book size, not the original mystery minthly [sic] thing. And one of the 5 Murderers has for some reason quite unknown to me a small piece cut out of page 232. I have no copies of Finger Man Avon No. 43. My wife has original new copies of everything, including the magazines, but she won't give them up to anyone. If the 5 Sinister Characters and the other unmutilated copy or any of them are of any use to you, I'll be glad to send them on with my compliments. I have no trading instinct really and can't suggest any other books at the moment. I did mention a book called They Don't Dance Much by James Ross. You say you think he is John Ross Macdonald. I have no accurate knowledge, but I thought Macdonald was Kenneth Millar. Originally a Canadian, wasn't he? Or am I thinking of his wife? Anyhow the southern feeling in They DDM doesn't seem up his alley at all. I could be wrong. This fellow has been a pastiche writer pure and simple. But if I could recreate that strange sordid steamy lazy corrupt ingrown, and yet so human feeling of shabby life below the line, I shouldn't have stopped with one book, by heck." In very good to fine condition, with intersecting folds, and creasing to the corners.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: August
  • Dates: #527 - Ended May 09, 2018





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