Lot 187

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

Salinger J. D.

An incredible four-piece set, which includes:

1. A TLS from J.D. Salinger, dated "January 22, 1957" , and signed "J.D. Salinger".

2. The accompanying postmarked mailing envelope with Salinger's Windsor Vermont mailing address.

3. The carbon of the original letter which was the basis for Salinger's response.

4. A letter of provenance and insightful reflection by the recipient of Salinger's response 40 years later.

All in near fine condition with the letter containing expected folds and a small red stain on the verso, else near fine. The envelope is neatly torn open at the top with overall handling marks and tiny stains.

A revealing Salinger TLS in response to a thought provoking and devoted fan letter from 1957. Salinger's response and the readers ability to interpret his thoughts are more transparent as we have the scarce pairing of this rare TLS with a carbon of the original letter. Many critics philosophize on the Zen/Buddhist nature of Salinger's writings, who along with several other 20th century writers (Jack Kerouac and Gary Snider), was deeply influenced by Buddhism. Often Salinger's characters follow paths and experience similar to "Buddha" before enlightenment.

This insightful TLS, written in 1957 after the landmark enormous success of "Catcher In The Rye" (1951), the individual separate stories of "Franny"(1955) and "Zooey"(1957), and the novel "Raise High The Roofbeam, Carpenters"(1955), one begins to see a common thread emerge with his characters and his raw writing style which the "fan" letter describes as "your stories have been wrought from blood and bone" . Salinger's perpetual quest for life's purpose, the status quo, and question what represents peace and happiness has created an enormous base of devoted readers, and along with them, a continual analysis of his writings. He touches upon emptiness, (as everything will vanish), and with metaphor delves deep into the analysis of what is important in life.

Perhaps it is his "Glass" family stories ("Raise High The Roof-beam Carpenters", "Franny", "Zooey" and the others that followed) that reveal Salinger's philosophies the most, which became the basis for both the fan letter and Salinger's revealing response. To fully appreciate the exchange between the two (Salinger and his "Fan"), below is illuminated some of the controversial interpretations of his "Glass" family stories.

In the exchange between Salinger and his "Fan", the two lament on how some of his readers insist to interpret his novels superficially, whereby Salinger expresses frustration ( "…it's sort of discouraging. Or just plain irritating"), that his intended deeper life messages, most often metaphoric were written with the wish to lead the reader to deeper philosophical thought but instead all too often end up being interpreted literally.

Joan's fan letter reaches Salinger 'inner heart' is shown in part below:

"Dear Mr. Salinger,

I have just re-read "Raise High the Roof-Beam Carpenters" and before the impulse leaves, and I have a chance to reflect on the idiocy of fan-letters, I am writing to you - just to thank you. I have read this story some four or five times, and each time I feel a weeping inside, and also an inexplicable joy …

I have also read "Franny" - and it's necessary to thank you for this story too. My husband met some college girls on the ship crossing the Atlantic - last winter - and they insisted that Franny was pregnant - which was all that was wrong with her. And my heart aches for them, as it does for Franny and for Land and for Seymour and Boo-Boo …. I am hopelessly awash in my own myths - that sensitivity is everything - and that even if it kill you (and it may) - you must "know" and you must "feel".

Salinger's response shows not only his relief that Joan sees through the literal component of his writing, but also expresses a connection and recognition that her letter was emotionally "valuable" to him. His response is shown in part below:

"Windsor Vt. / January 22, 1957

Dear Mrs. Benson,

Thank you for that very special letter.

I don't think I'm nearly so fragile a person as my work seems to make a few nice people think. And by nice people, I mean kind people...

Thank you, too, for your sympathy to me for Franny's rather widely suspected pregnancy...

All my good wishes to you. Please write again if you feel like it ...

J.D. Salinger

My wife and daughter send you warm greetings too."

Offered together with the two pieces is another letter dated 1999 composed by Joan (the Fan), only now fast forward over 40 years. She came upon this pair of saved letters from her deep past, perhaps during the age of innocence, and now as an author herself re-read her letter from her younger years. Time has clearly changed her outlook on life as she emotes:

"I read slowly with creeping nausea. "Sensitivity is everything …" Whatever happened to that thought? And if, at one time, all his Salinger's readers thought it was, where has it gone?"

We have no doubt that today she is not the only one with this thought. A quintessential scarce set for a Salinger fan.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000