Truman Capote: (1924-1984) Handwritten letter to New York Columnist Leonard Lyons- Taormina, Italy, 28th May 1952,
‘To Leonard, Your two notes have just now reached me - having been forwarded from Paris to Portofino to Rome to Ischia to me! So perhaps you no longer have need of a 'great column'. In any event, I'm terribly flattered that you should ask me, and if you still want one I shall try to oblige' continuing, 'Of course I have no idea where you are; are you in Europe? I don't suppose you will get to Sicily (noone ever does) but perhaps I will see you in Venice in Sept' further continuing, 'I could not get back my old house here in Taormina on account of its having been let. So I've rented in its entirety a 25 room hotel high up on a mountain overlooking the sea. It is a brand new hotel that the owner does not plan to open until next spring, so he rented it to me for what one would pay for an ordinary house. If things get really bad I suppose I can take in (?). I hope that you and your family will have a wonderful summer. Give my (?) regards to Mrs Lyons, and write me when you can, Best Truman
Henry Miller Letter "If I can do nothing, I do it with a vengeance." This is a letter from the writer Henry Miller to his friend Walker Winslow in Sacramento. It dates from July 1965,
He advises Winslow on matters of life and work and mentions his own painting, Carroll Baker's suing of Joseph E. Levine, and his hope that his "constant pain" may soon be relived by a new "miracle pain reliever."
The letter is dated 7/12/65. It reads:
" Dear Walker, Good to hear from you again. I wouldn't worry about the inactivity. That can be very "active" too, you know. I haven't been writing much either, to speak of. Too many intrusions as usual. Gets worse all the time. So I just do what I can ~ paint whenever I get the chance or, if I can do nothing I do it with a vengeance. The worst thing is to feel one should or must do this or that. Just let "it" lead you by the nose, wherever it takes you. You do your work just by being yourself, by being "available". and if you no longer want much, or anything but the minimum, you've come a long way toward fulfillment. So long as you can live with yourself, accept yourself for what you are ~ right? I never did undergo the operation. Had several other (diverse) opinions and decided to hold off as long as possible. But am in constant pain. There will be a new miracle pain reliever out soon, discovered by the Zellerbach Paper Co. ~ a sort of panacea for everything. I'm waiting to try it out. It's supposed to be especially good for arthritis, rheumatism, the shingles. etc!!
I think I'll be here all summer, but never know much in advance. I go when I get "the call". Rely more and more on intuition. The film (Cancer) has been postponed till next year. Carroll Baker is suing Levine for $2,000,000 ~ because she won't be in it as promised. Glad you got "Clichy". All the other banned books are now out too
~ by Grove Press and also by the Greenleaf Pub. Co ~ (pirates). No U.S. copyright, so no protection. also my " Letters To Anais Nin" (Putnam's) ~ an expensive item. Well that's it for now. Don't lose faith ~ in yourself, I mean. You've rendered service ( to your fellow man) as few have.
All the best,
Henry
P.S. I've written Virginia about the books. Thanks! Have you ever read any of Isaac Bashevis Singer's books? I love him."
Ralph Steadman- Original Typed Anti-War Statement released in the Independent 7th March 2004. Initialled by Ralph Steadman £350
Truman Capote. Typescript signed: "Truman Capote," 1p, 8x10. The first typewritten page of the opening of his 1966 novel 'In Cold Blood. SOLD
Sarah Bernhardt. Obscure handwritten letter by Sarah Bernhardt to her agent regarding her illness and that she cannot perform for a while. (Translation to left) Very rare £600