Archive relating to an unpublished autobiography of legendary athlete Jim Thorpe, which Thorpe and his wife Patricia had arranged to have written by Associated Press writer Orlo Robertson in early 1950. The archive consists mostly of their correspondence, which is highlighted by an ALS from Thorpe to his co-author, and a handwritten statement about Thorpe by revered football coach Pop Warner. These read as follows:
ALS from Thorpe to Robertson, two pages, 7 x 10.5, August 22, 1950. In the handwritten letter, Thorpe credits his wife with much of his success, describes a recent business venture, and talks about the manuscript for his book, in part: “This story the Champion of Gene Sarazen’s wife—reminds me of Mrs. Thorpe—who has done everything on my behalf to build up everything pertaining to my life—and all publicity that I’ve gotten within the last 2 or 3 years—she has stuck through thick and thin with me and we have gone through it together—if it wasn’t for her there have been many times I would have given up. I think she is the grandest little woman in the world and the best pal a man ever had, give her a chapter and a real build up in the story—she has also taken care of my boys. I have bought a lounge and grill here in Los Angeles and will open about the middle of Sept. Give me a big plug through the Press with a national release, Jim Thorpe's All American Lounge and Grill—it is a nice place…enclosed is 2 dollars to cover the postage you had to pay. I'm not broke but the bank roll is slightly dented—as most of ready cash is tied up in escrow, we are editing your mms and will return to you for final whipping into shape. The west coast editor for Colliers is very interested but the mms must be presented properly. Well that’s about all.”
Handwritten statement from legendary football coach Glenn ‘Pop’ Warner, sent to Robertson for use as the book’s forward, one page both sides, 8.5 x 11, personal letterhead, no date, signed at the conclusion, “Glenn S. Warner.” The statement, in part: “Having been Jim Thorpe’s coach from the time he started to develop his world famous athletic career until he finished his course at the Carlisle Indian School I naturally came to know him very well…He was honest and frank and a good sportsman. There was no sham or guile in his makeup. That explains why he used his real name when he spent a vacation playing baseball in a small Carolina League composed mostly of northern and New England college boys who played under assumed names to preserve their amateur standing. That honesty eventually lost him his amateur standing and his Olympic trophies and medals.” Warner signs a postscript with “Pop.”
Also included: a complete 132-page hand-corrected typed manuscript of the book, including the opening essay entitled ‘Jim Thorpe as I Know Him’ by Patricia G. Thorpe and a notarized cover sheet acknowledging Robertson as the author; a group of 14 letters (all but one TLSs) that consists of correspondence between Thorpe's wife Patricia and Robertson, dating between March and December 1950, which includes insightful content related to the autobiography and to their personal lives; a TLS from the Associated Press in Sweden, April 14, 1950, replying to Robertson's request for a letter from King Gustav regarding the Stockholm 1924 Olympics: “I will do my very best to obtain the requested letter…the King is a very old and frail man…93 years of age…he might not remember Jim Thorpe after such a long time”; a TLS from Everett Freeman of Warner Brothers Pictures, March 29, 1950, informing Thorpe that the book can be written without infringing on the movie rights; and a handwritten draft in pencil of the contract between the Thorpes and Robertson, no date, reading, in part: "Jim Thorpe hereby gives Orlo Robertson the exclusive rights to write and cause to have published a book or story based on the life of Jim Thorpe." In overall very good to fine condition, with a few minor stains to Pop Warner's letter and substantial age toning and edge tears to the manuscript which, due to its age, is in fairly delicate condition.
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