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A FRIENDLY CORRESPONDENCE STOUT, REX. Archive of 37 Typed Letters Signed and 3 postcards to Mrs. Verna Lee Cook, a fan with whom Stout began a
A FRIENDLY CORRESPONDENCESTOUT, REX. Archive of 37 Typed Letters Signed and 3 postcards to Mrs. Verna Lee Cook, a fan with whom Stout began a friendly correspondence during the last ten years of his life. 8 1/2 x5 1/4 8vo sheets, usual folds, on his personal stationery. Original mailing envelopes for several letters from the 1970s. Excellent condition. Ephemera related to Stout included, as described below. Brewster, NY 1966-1975
- Notes: A wonderful archive of correspondence between Stout and a devoted fan who became his friend during the last years of his life. The letters are kindly and warm and touch upon several subjects including health: "I am back to normal, couldn't be better, and shall start writing as soon as the garden gives me permission to spend most of the day in the house instead of outdoors"; mentions his publishers and various works throughout: "This will be short and not even sweet because I'm writing a story [The Father Hunt, mentioned in the following letter] and so not at all sociable"; and characters: "as for Archie... his taste in slang and colloquialisms is of course quite personal but I am satisfied that he would use "don't" in informal conversation. If I'm wrong, it's a flaw"; and of the times: "Your appreciation of the wonders of the new grandchild made me smile-what would a women's libber think of that!" Many of the letters report Stout's budding obsession with chocolate treats called "Tixies" sent often by Mrs. Cook and which clearly brought him much joy: "...by Christmas I'll have to let my belt out." One of the letters includes a set of 4 stamps issued in 1973 by Nicaragua honoring Stout's most famous character Nero Wolfe. Also included are: a copy of a Harper's Magazine article about Stout and Wolfe from his personal library; two issues of the New Yorker from July 16th and 23rd 1949 comprising the important two-part biographical profile of Stout; newspaper clippings, including his obituary and, poignantly, a note of appreciation by the Stout family to Mrs. Cook after his death.
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March 21, 2002 10:30 AM EST
New York, NY, US
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