One full page of handwritten lyrics for a song, signed “Words and musicry by Woody Guthrie, Brooklyn State, May, 1956,” on one 8 x 12.5 lined sheet, written at the Brooklyn Hospital, but never recorded. Title is undecipherable as are many of the words clearly showing the effects of Huntington’s Disease, for which he was hospitalized from 1956 to 1961. In small part: “Why is … my perty [sic] wife get me, divorce … run separately me … my wife my … woman … leave to keep me safer … keep me soberd [sic] … Man couldn’t stand my....” Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed by Guthrie to Hally Wood, c/o Asch Folkways. Guthrie is perhaps referring to his third wife, Anneke Van Kirk, with whom he had another child, Lorina Lynn. The couple moved to Florida briefly, before eventually returning to New York in 1954. Shortly after that, Anneke filed for divorce, citing the strain of caring for Woody. Anneke left New York and Lorina Lynn was adopted by friends of hers. For most fans of Woody Guthrie, his career ended in 1956, the year he was arrested in New Jersey for “wandering aimlessly,” a charge often then brought against the mentally ill or confused. In fact, Guthrie was suffering from Huntington’s Disease, a genetic defect that brings on a degenerative nervous state usually beginning around the age of 40 and ending in death around fifteen years later. In May 1956, he was involuntarily committed to Greystone Park, a mental institution in New Jersey. There he remained for the next five years as he worsened to the point where he could not play the guitar, type, or even hold a pen. In very good condition, with professional repairs and reinforcement to several areas, paper loss to two corners, a few corner creases, and a few edge chips. PSA/DNA Auction LOA and R&R COA.
