Description
ROBERT CHAMBERS AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED, "Yours very truly, Robert W. Chambers", 8.5 x 11, July 10, 1902, on his summer home letterhead: "Broadalbin, New York", letter written to a book dealer regarding books sent on approval, by American artist, illustrator, and author. In part: "...Of the books you sent on approval I am keeping Gen'l Sullivans Indian Expedition; N.Y. in the Revolution; The Iroquois Book of Rites [he was probably using these books for research on his 1902 novel, "The Maid-at-Arms", a heroic romance that tells the story of George Ormond and Dorothy Varick, two young would-be lovers living in New York during the American Revolution]...For which I enclose my check for $11.00 and thank you very much. I am returning, to you the other books which are of no use in my work [here he lists the four books he is sending back]...." Letter folds and some age toning, otherwise in fine condition.
Robert William Chambers (1865-1933) was an American artist/illustrator for Life and Vogue magazines and in the 1890's he switched careers and became a fiction writer, best known for his book of short stories titled The King in Yellow, one of the most important works of supernatural fiction, published in 1895. It was a collection of short stories about a play of that name which drives its readers insane. Many of his works were made into films. Chambers is considered a landmark author in the field of horror literature for his The King in Yellow collection, which itself represents but a small portion of his weird fiction work. Chambers had one of the most successful literary careers of his period, his later novels selling well and a handful achieving best-seller status. Many of his works were also serialized in magazines.
$325 #11271
