Lot 339

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Description:

J.D. Salinger TLS Discussing His Dentures, & His Actual Denture Molds!

A truly unique lot comprised of items relating to J.D. (Jerome David) Salinger (1919-2010), the American writer who brought us "The Catcher in the Rye" (1951). The archive includes: a typed letter signed by Salinger as "JDS" along with its original transmittal envelope; five custom dental molds and impressions taken of Salinger's mouth, ca. 1988; dental records belonging to Salinger, ca. 1988; and dental records and X-rays belonging to Dorothy Olding McKeown (1910-1997), Salinger's longtime literary agent and the one who had recommended Salinger to her NYC dentist. Accompanied by extensive provenance documentation provided by Dr. Louis J. Marino, DDS.

J.D. Salinger died at 91 years old in January 2010. Over the years, his advanced age, combined with hard usage, had forced the reclusive writer to undergo complex dental procedures to alleviate pain and discomfort in his "poor old teeth," as he described them elsewhere in 1983. Visiting the dentist was not an enjoyable prospect to Salinger, but even that torment was preferable to some things. He once told his lover Joyce Maynard in the 1970s: "Give me two hours in the dentist chair before I'll spend another minute in a publisher's office…"

Besides the practical reasons for maintaining his own teeth, Salinger's writing suggests that he viewed healthy teeth--or unhealthy teeth--as symbolic. The dental health of Salinger's characters shaped their literary criticism and popular reception. For example, in "The Catcher in the Rye," his iconic novel of adolescent angst, Holden Caulfield's hallmate at Pencey Preparatory School, Robert Ackley, is consistently described in negative terms. Not only does Ackley not bathe, launder his clothes, or brush his teeth, but he also asks probing questions, does not respect others' privacy, and commits dozens of embarrassing faux pas. In Chapter 3 of "The Catcher in the Rye," Holden complained that Ackley's "teeth were always mossy-looking, and his ears were always dirty as hell, but he was always cleaning out his fingernails" (albeit with an unlit match.) Thus, there is something undesirable or morally deficient in "Ackley kid" because he neglects basic body care, including notably teeth-brushing.

Salinger's denture molds and dental records indicate that he struggled with the upper and lower right side of his mouth. Salinger's teeth, very prominent in the rare photographs taken of him smiling, are rather long and canine. His dental impressions reveal that his palate is high and arched.

The lot is comprised of:

1. A 1p typed letter signed by Salinger in his initials "JDS -" at center. Written in Cornish, New Hampshire on December 8, 1988 and addressed to a Manhattan dentist named Dr. Louis J. Marino. Expected light paper folds, else near fine. Accompanied by the original postmarked transmittal envelope bearing a sticker with Salinger's extremely vague return address as "R.R. 2 / Box 176 / Cornish, NH 03745."

The 69-year-old Salinger wrote in part: "As far as I know, any further dental work isn't needed at present. Some extensive root-canal work was done locally a couple years ago, then some new partial dentures made, and things seem to have gone along satisfactorily…"

2. Five original partial and full denture impressions of J.D. Salinger's mouth, gums, and teeth, taken during the spring of 1983 by Dr. Louis J. Marino. Expected wear throughout. Several minor flaked or chipped areas, specified below. Some of the surfaces are still tacky or sticky. Currently contained in a cell phone box inscribed with Dr. Marino's handwriting.

These casts include the following, each with a photocopy key inscribed by Dr. Marino:

- "Preliminary Impression for full upper partial denture (study model []." A pink plaster or cement impression outlined throughout with pencil marks. "44 / 14" is marked in red colored pencil on the base. 2.75" x 2.25" x 1.25."

- "Tray for final Impression (white) Final Impression in tray for upper denture." A white epoxy or resin impression integrated with other brown and pink mold materials. Isolated stickiness, and traces of green tissue paper adhered in certain spots, from when the mold was once stored in a nest of tissue paper.

- "Final Impression for partial upper denture." Flesh- or gum-colored impression showing one of Salinger's problem areas, his upper right back molars. 2.25" x 2.375" x 1.25."

- "Preliminary Impression for partial lower denture." A pink plaster or cement impression. The impression of two left molars has chipped off in a single sheared-off block, detached but included.

- "Preliminary Impression with two teeth removed." A pink plaster of cement impression inscribed "Study Model" on the floor of the mouth, and "Upper 2P 31L 69" in pen on the bottom of the mold. Evidently, Salinger's back right molars troubled him.

3. Original dental records belonging to J.D. Salinger from Dr. Louis J. Marino's practice, ca. May 3 - June 24, 1983. Chart and teeth diagrams are pre-printed on both sides of the stock card, and Salinger's name is typed at top as "Salinger, J.D. (Jerome, David)." Some well-creased folds and one stapled corner. Else very good. Measures 6" x 7.5" fully unfolded. Comes with its original medical filing manila sleeve.

The dental records are scattered with hand-written notes such as, on May 5th, "Extraction #30 / extremely mobile, infected / very sensitive" or on June 24th, "Patient insisted on PU, needs FU. Work done in too short term + not to my satisfaction so not billed…"

During this two-month-long period, Salinger had X-rays taken, a bottom right molar removed, and, as we know, several denture impressions casted of his upper and lower jaws.

4. A small group of dental records, original X-rays, and notes relating to Dorothy Olding McKeown, Salinger's confidante and literary agent, who had recommended Salinger to Dr. Marino. The two charts date ca. 1980-1992 and itemize expenses accrued through consultations, X-rays, denture fittings, and house calls. Comes with its original medical filing manila sleeve. Also included are five original bite wing X-rays, and two handwritten notes from the 1990s pertaining to Dorothy's care.

Two of the three dentists referred to in this lot appear to have retired at the time of this cataloging (December 2020.)

Dr. Louis J. Marino maintained a domestic professional corporation between October 1980 and January 2002. He is associated with Nassau County, Long Island.

Dr. Edward J. Lipke graduated from New York University School of Medicine in 1972 and is apparently still practicing in NYC. His name is listed under Dr. Marino's street address, and the two could have been partners or close business associates.

The "Dr. Knudson" that appears in Salinger's dental chart from June 1983 could have referred to Dr. Rolf Knudson, now aged 76, who lives in Bradford, New Hampshire.

Dorothy McKeown was a graduate of Barnard College who started working at Harold Ober Associates, a literary agency established in 1929, in 1938. McKeown would work at Harold Ober Associates for the next 52 years, 17 of which (1973-1990) she served as president. McKeown had served as Salinger's literary agency since the early 1940s. As the author withdrew from public life, McKeown increasingly buffered him from all exterior intrusions. During her impressive career, McKeown also managed Agatha Christie and Pearl S. Buck.

Provenance

The lot comes with a 1p autograph letter signed by Dr. Louis J. Marino reading in part, "I attest to the fact that all of the enclosed models came from the mouth of J D Salinger and I took them myself."

Earlier on in the affidavit, Dr. Marino writes: "Mr Salinger was not happy with the dentures and neither was I, so I did not charge him for the denture. I made it a practice never to charge a patient who was dissatisfied with my work…"

This substantiates the handwritten notes found on the cell phone box containing the dentures, as "J.D Salanger [sic] Models of teeth, Impression of teeth, Record of treatment…He did not pay for any of this…"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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