Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
(800) 937-3880
SELL

Lot #501
Ludwig Bemelmans

"What makes my books good," explains Bemelmans to Rathbone, "is a facility for graphic things"

This lot has closed

Estimate: $200+
Sell a Similar Item?
Share:  

Description

"What makes my books good," explains Bemelmans to Rathbone, "is a facility for graphic things"

Belgian-born American author and illustrator (1898-1962) best known for his now-classic series of Madeleine children's books. ALS signed “Ludwig,” two pages, 6.75 x 9.5, After All letterhead, no date. Letter to award-winning actor Basil Rathbone, in part: "What made you laugh so much at the restaurant—what makes my books good, is a facility for graphic things. Playwriting is a craft—it is another talent. I find that my writing is pleasure—and flows easily—it is play—and as you are I am a perfectionist and have never done an unsuccessful or a dull thing and the more I thought about the stage version of 'Now I lay me' the more I saw that I would be labouring in a field that is not mine. The book—is good—my play would be inadequate and awful and I shall not attempt it. If we find a man who has the other talent—then I would help him but that is a long long shot. I am convinced of this—and sorry that we wasted some time on it—but very happy—that a fact became clearly fixed in my mind—and grateful to have joined a friend in the process." In fine condition, with staple holes to the upper left corner.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
  • Dates: #545 - Ended February 06, 2019





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for $50.00

*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.