ALS signed “J.,” two pages, 6 x 8, September 15, [1965]. Letter written to her boyfriend, Peter deBlanc, just months before her career took off. In full, “It’s the same evening as my last letter (#8) but I was just thinking about you some more & I just love you so much that I wanted to write again. Every night after I finish my letter to you, I drive down to the post office & mail it. Quite frequently someone of the family goes along w/me. This evening I asked if anyone wanted to go & when no one did I said Oh well, that’s alright, this is the only time Peter & I have together. And it’s true. These letters mean a lot to me, Peter. I hope you understand that & match my earnestness when you read them. Every night after dinner I’m busy, in which case it’s right at bedrime as now, I close both my doors, light my one silly candle, get my cigarettes & an ashtray & sit down with you. I love you, baby. I hope I express it sufficiently so you know it as I write it. Well, good night, I guess I’m being silly.” Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in Joplin’s hand to “Mr. Peter J. LeBlanc, Rm. 10-C, Beth Israel Hosp., Pearlman Pl. New York, 9. N. Y.” and bearing her handwritten return address on the reverse, “Miss Janis Lyn Joplin, 3130 Lombardy, Port Arthur, Tex.” At the time she wrote this letter, Joplin was living at home with her parents and hoping to rebuild her life and recover from her drug abuse of the previous few years. During that time she sang in small venues in New York and San Francisco, where she first met LeBlanc. Shortly after writing this letter, Joplin moved to Austin and then to San Francisco where she joined Big Brother & the Holding Company. In very fine condition. COA Roger Epperson/REAL and R&R COA.
