Lot 363

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

Robert Stroud, "Birdman of Alcatraz" ALS Re: Ill health and Finishing a Chapter of His Book on Birds

2pp, measuring 8" x 10.25", Alcatraz, California, dated July 10, 1950. An autograph letter signed twice by notorious criminal Robert F. Stroud (1890-1963), and 3x signed by him, the first as "Robert Stroud" at the top of the first page above the preprinted recipient's address panel, the second as "Bob" at the conclusion, and "Robert Stroud, 594" below his conclusion. Written from the U.S. Federal Penitentiary at Alcatraz in black ink on blue-lined cream paper. 

Written to his half-sister Mamie E. Stroud (1881-1969) about seven and a half years after his transfer to Alcatraz Island on December 19, 1942. Stroud had previously been incarcerated at Leavenworth for 30 years, and it was there that he had first studied his beloved birds. Stroud writes of numerous ailments he is suffering from: "…I have not been feeling so good the last few day, but I guess that it is just too much work, too long hours. I had a gallbladder attack Friday night, or Saturday morning, rather. It hit me at three in the morning. I had this stuff on hand to bring it under control, but I had to spend the whole day in bed. Yesterday, I felt all right and wrote all day, but this morning I got up and wrote a letter, but felt so ill in that I had to go to bed. I took some sedatives and slept all afternoon, and feel a little better this evening…I can't read at all without glasses, but I have good glasses, and I read or write for fifteen hours at a stretch without it hurting my eyes." Stroud also goes on to mention the ill health of a fellow inmate, writing: "Ono is going on just about the same. He had a tooth pulled today, and took it all right, but they aren't taking any chances with him. Before the nurse pulled the tooth, be got permission from the doctor and had a syringe of coramine (the most powerful heart stimulant known) handy before he pulled the tooth, which shows that they don't think he is in very good condition." At the conclusion of his letter, Stroud writes of finishing his recent chapter for his manuscript on the history of prison: "I am still working on the last chapter of the part IV of the book, and am having a little trouble getting it just the way I want it, because I have to bring all the threads together, but I will get it finished this week. Then I think I will go back and revise the first part and expand it to 100,000 thousand words before starting part V. It is going to be the most comprehensive book of its kind ever written, for when I go into things, I go into them thoroughly…"

Stroud was transferred to Alcatraz Prison in mid-December 1942, and remained there until 1959. He was frequently in solitary confinement or the hospital due to his aggressive behavior and various ailments. The book he references was his novel, "Looking Outward: A History of the U.S. Prison System from Colonial Times to the Formation of the Bureau of Prisons", in which he covered the history of the prison system and his own experience within it. Although forbidden to publish his manuscript from Alcatraz or Springfield prison, the book was eventually published after Stroud's death. The letter is in near fine condition, with expected paper folds.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

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

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


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

March 3, 2021 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% 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