Samuel Clemens, Mark Twain, Poets, Authors,

Our extensive and varied inventory includes signed first edition books and manuscripts of W. Somerset Maugham, E.L. Doctorow, John Irving, Elbert Hubbard, Robert Penn Warren, Allen Ginsberg, Willa Cather, Gwendolyn Brooks, Christopher Isherwood, Dan Brown and Edmund White; among others. SEE Books and Catalogue for more offerings.

From a signed photograph of Ray Bradbury, autograph of Longfellow or Maya Angelou, to contemporary material of Isaac Bashevis Singer, Joan Didion or Ernest Hemingway, you can rely upon Weekes Autographs to provide you with the finest in literary autograph material.

FEATURED ITEM

MILLER, ARTHUR (1915-2005)

American playwright. Winner of the New York Drama Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Whimsical litho print drawing by Hirschfeld of Miller, no date, boldly signed at the bottom by the playwright. Some show-through from image on reverse side. A highly desirable signed caricature of the great playwright. Overall size 5.5"x8.5" $ 295

WARREN, ROBERT PENN (1905-89)

Autograph Manuscript Signed, being a one-page autographic example of his poem "August Moon." Poem is dedicated, signed and dated 1980. Dedication could be matted over. Autographic examples of literary work are most desirable. Accompanied by US commemorative stamps and a 4"x6" black and white glossy photographic reprint of the celebrated poet.

Pulitzer Prize winning novelist (All the Kings Men, 1946) and poet (1957 and 1979). Mr. Warren was the only author to win the Pulitzer Prize for both fiction and poetry. $ 175

ALLENDE, ISABEL (1942- )

Small signed black and white photograph adding a flower moniker. Accompanied by an imprinted card citing her website. $ 35

Peruvian-born novelist, god-daughter of Salvador Allende, the former president of Chile. Several months after the overthrow of Chile's coalition government in 1973, Allende fled Chile, seeking sanctuary in Venezuela. Her first novel, The House of the Spirits (1985), which arose directly out of her exile, became a worldwide best-seller and critical success.

BRADBURY, RAY (1920 - )

Signed Photograph: 10"x8" black and white, heavy weight image, boldly signed on the lower mount adding 12/25/86. Fine. $ 95

American mainstream, fantasy, horror, science fiction writer. He is, perhaps, best known for Farenheit 451. (Bradbury has been an avid fellow autograph collector for many years).

BROOKS, GWENDOLYN (1917-2000)

Heavy stock ecru card dedicated and signed "For Craig, Sincerely, Gwendolyn Brooks, November 1, 1990." Near mint. $ 35 We also have a signed copy of Brooks' poem Black Love. Brochure signed "Sincerely, Gwendolyn Brooks." Fine. $ 50

American poet and novelist. Named Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. Among her notable works are Annie Allen and A Street in Bronzeville.

COWARD, (SIR) NOEL (1899-1973)

Signed title page from his 1937 book, Present Indicative; very boldly executed in blue fountain pen ink. Professionally matted in a stunning plum-colored suede board along with a color litho print portrait of Coward from an original color charcoal in the manner of Matisse. Encased in glass and a gilt-wooden frame. $ 450

English playwright, composer, director, actor, singer and author. Renowned for his wit, flamboyance and personal style.

CRISP, QUENTIN (1908-99)

English writer and raconteur. Became a gay icon in the 1970s with the publication of his memoir, SEE Book Section.

DICKEY, JAMES (1923-97)

Typewritten Letter Signed, one page, 1982, regarding a shipment of books to a bookseller. Some minor spotting and wrinkling to the right margin; otherwise very good. $ 125

American poet and novelist. Perhaps best known for his epic work "Deliverance" which contributed to emotionally scarring for many, particularly the adaptation to the screen horror flick in 1972, co-starring Jon Voight and Burt Reynolds.

“…Soil . . . scoop up a handful of the magic stuff. Look at it closely. What wonders it holds as it lies there in your palm. Tiny sharp grains of sand, little faggots of wood and leaf fibre, infinitely small round pieces of marble, fragments of shell, specks of black carbon, a section of vertebrae from some minute creature. And mingling with it all the dust of countless generations of plants and flowers, trees, animals and – yes – our own, age-long forgotten forebears, gardeners of long ago. Can this incredible composition be the common soil?...” Stuart Maddox Masters, The Seasons Through (1948, Herbert Jenkins Publishers).

MADDOX-MASTERS, STUART

Charming Autograph Letter Signed, 1952, concerning his diary-novel about gardeners and their friends. "Your very kind letter was sent to me by Herbert Jenkins lately. How very kind of you to say 'The Seasons Through' interested you. As you may have concluded a lot of it is not so far from the truth! Yours very sincerely, Stuart Maddox Masters." Professionally matted (two sides) to reveal both letter panels, along with a color litho print floral card, under glass and an appropriate wood frame. $ 300

British author of "The Seasons Through" (1948, Herbert Jenkins Publishers).

HUBBARD, ELBERT (1856-1915)

Uncommon unsigned manuscript with corrections in the hand of Hubbard. Accompanied by superb provenance from his granddaughter, Nancy Hubbard Brady. Also accompanied by a photocopy of a statement from his son, Elbert Hubbard, Jr., circa 1929. Hubbard Jr. dispersed many of his father's papers around this period to friends and associates. Five pages, typewritten, entitled “The Charm of Manner.” Published in The Fra, May 1908, the second issue of Hubbard's new magazine in the first year of its publication. The phrase "charm of manner" was also referenced in Hubbard's biography of business tycoon A. T. Stewart. Other than staple holes and paperclip indenture in upper left hand corner, manuscript is in excellent condition. Sheets measure 5.5”x8.5”. Accompanied by photocopies of statements of Nancy Hubbard Brady. Last page of manuscript concludes with a nine-line, handwritten, postscript by Hubbard. Reads: If you have Charm of Manner, you can’t keep it secret – you will not have to ask for a “raise” – it will

American writer, publisher, philosopher. Founder of the Roycroft Movement. gravitate to you every little while. $ 600 (Dealer inquiries welcome).

HUBBARD, ELBERT (1856-1915)

Signed, one page, dated 1906 on Roycrofters letterhead. Written to celebrated writer, poet and Chautauqua lecturer, Nixon Waterman (1859-1944). Waterman wrote hundreds of articles for such publications as The Saturday Evening Post, Natoinal Magazine, The Smart Set. He rose to national prominence in the 1890s. Letter from Hubbard reads: My dear Nixon, Thank you very much for the postal card just received. I expect to use it as a text for a sermon for the benefit of Philistia at an early date. So here is a hand-grasp over the miles and I am ever Yours Sincerely. Hubbard has humorously added a postscript in his own hand: No I'll not quote you. I've used your ideas often and never given credit. Accompanied by a sepia-tone litho print portrait of Hubbard. Professionally matted in a rich silk-motif board, under glass, and a hammered metal frame. Accompanied by superb provenance from his granddaughter, Nancy Hubbard Brady. Also accompanied by a photocopy of a statement from his son, Elbert Hubbard, Jr., circa 1929. Hubbard Jr. dispersed many of his father's papers around this period to friends and associates. $ 575 (net to all).

American writer, publisher, philosopher. Founder of the Roycroft Movement. Autograph display piece consisting of a Typewritten Letter Signed along with a sepia-tone, litho print image of the author. Professionally matted and framed in a Roycroft-motif.

NOTES ON AUGUST SCHILLING

FOR LITTLE JOURNEYS, 1909

HUBBARD, ELBERT (1856-1915)

Manuscript, unsigned one page, on the reverse of Roycrofters stationery. Entirely in the handwriting of Hubbard, accomplished in pencil. Hubbard has written: The New Way in business means opportunity for all those who have said good-bye to school drill - or those who never had it. Opportunity, growth, happiness, success. A. Schilling. Accompanied by superb provenance from his granddaughter, Nancy Hubbard Brady. Also accompanied by a photocopy of a statement from his son, Elbert Hubbard, Jr., circa 1929. Hubbard Jr. dispersed many of his father's papers around this period to friends and associates. $ 175

FERBER, EDNA (1885-1968) - Matted and framed display piece consisting of a charming Typewritten Letter Signed to a G.I.. It is a fine example of the author's remarkable wit. The piece is accompanied by a plate of mint commemorative stamps. Under mat and framed. $ 425

American novelist, author and playwright. In 1925 she won the Pulitzer Prize for her book So Big. A member of the celebrated Algonquin Table.

NASH, OGDEN FREDERICK (1902-71)

American poet highly regarded for his light verse. At the time of his death in 1971, the New York Times said his "...droll verse with its unconventional rhymes made him the country's best-known producer of humorous poetry..." Autograph Note Signed, one page, post-card size, 1966. Would make for an excellent display piece with an image. $ 75

MAILER, NORMAN (1923-2007)

Celebrated American novelist, playwright, poet, screenwriter and film director. A 8"x10" black and white photograph, informal pose in a library, professionally matted and framed with a vintage signature on the lower mount. The ideal gift for the aspiring writer. $ 225

GINSBERG, ALLEN (1926-97) -

Indian Journals. SEE BOOKS

FERLINGHETTI, LAWRENCE (1919 - )

American poet and painter, owner and publisher of City Lights Books. Longtime supporter of the late Ginsberg. Color photo postcard with a scene of City Lights, boldly signed in black marker pen by ferlinghetti. $ 75

PEALE, NORMAN VINCENT (1898-1993)

Signed 3"x5" card accompanied by a handsome 5"x7" black and white photographic print of Dr. Peale seated at his desk smiling for the camera. Nice ensemble for display. $ 65

Celebrated American minister and author, most notably for his opus The Power of Positive Thought. Although raised a Methodist, Dr. Peale changed his religious affiliation in 1932 to the Reformed Church in America. He enjoyed a 52-year pastorship at Marble College Church, NYC. In 1935, Rev. Peale began a radio program The Art of Living, that ran for an astonishing 54 years.

(SEE ALSO...Schuller, Rev. Dr. Robert H. - Self-Esteem: The New Reformation. Signed first edition -- BOOK section of this gallery).

RICE, ANNE (1941- )

Best-selling author of gothic and religious-themed books. Her books have sold nearly 100 million copies making her one of the most widely read authors in the history of literature. Signed Photograph; 8"x10" color glossy, heavyweight, photograph (circa 1980s) signed boldly in blue marker pen. $ 95

H. L. Mencken

The Sage of Baltimore

MENCKEN, H. L. (1880-1956)

Populariy hailed as the "Sage of Baltimore." Mencken was a journalist, essayist, editor, critic and satirist. Mencken was regarded as one of the most influential American writers and prose stylists of the first half of the 20th century. Vintage signature on small card which he has dated 1929. Very good. $ 135

SNYDER, GARY (1930- )

Signed photograph; 5"x7" black and white, matte-finish print, nicely signed on the lower white mount. Nice example. $ 35

American poet (often associated with the Beat eneration and the San Francisco Renaissance), as well as an essayist, lecturer, and environmental activisit. Snyder is a winner of a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. His work, in his various roles, reflects an immersion in both Buddist spirituality and nature.

le CARRE, JOHN (1931- )

Signed photograph; a 5"x7" color, matte-finish, closeup introspective shot of the author, nicely signed on the lower white mount. $ 45

David John Moore Cornwell, who writes under the name John le Carre, is an author of espionage novels. During the 1950s and 60s, Cornwell worked for M(5 and MI6, and began writing novels under his pseudonym. His third novel, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1963) became an international best-seller and remains one of his best known works to date. Le Carre has since written several novels that have established him as one of the fienst writers of espionage fiction in the 20th century literature. In 2008, The Times ranked le Carre 22nd on its list of "the 50 greatest British writers since 1945."

SOME HELPFUL TIPS (with thanks to TomFolio.Com)

Collecting the autographs of authors is one of the more serendipitous connections of autograph collecting. You have the both writer you admire and a snippet of his very work. Autographs bring a direct link to the Author that almost no other collectible item can give. It is an intimate link between you and the past. The author held the item in her very hands and wrote upon it; you simply cannot get a more direct connection that is so easily verifiable.

There are as many reasons for collecting as there are myriad different things to collect. What do you want to collect? Who has influenced you? Perhaps you had a childhood favorite? Was there something that changed your life when you first discovered it? Perhaps you would like a 'complete set' of a specific favorite author's work? Maybe you want to limit yourself to the top ten authors of your favorite genre?

In order to validate an unauthenticated autograph you need to become somewhat of a handwriting analyst.

Autographs and signatures evolve over time -- and often they devolve into sloppier versions -- but usually they still retain a similar style. The speed of the signature can affect its clarity. Check for similarities, especially in the initial capital letters: most people start the word more clearly and get sloppier at the end, so your analysis should allow for more variance at the rear of the signature than the front. Look especially at the loops, the trailing ascenders and descenders. Try to compare multiple examples and look for similarities among the group.

If a truly duplicate identical sample is found, be wary of a possible autopen signature. If a sample is not available, examine the item which has been signed and check for obvious inconsistencies such as an item published or created after the death of the signer.

Look at what type of implement was used to sign. While Sharpies (indelible markers) are quite common today, they were not mass produced until 1951 and were not in common usage for signatures until the 1980s. Although a version of the ballpoint pen was patented as far back at 1888, problems with the ink kept them from mass production until around 1945.

Get out your magnifying glass or loupe. Check for smooth ink or dots. Most printing processes use screens which place dots of ink on the page so that a light area of the signature, such as the trailing end of the name, will show up as dots rather than a smooth wash of ink. Look at where the strokes overlap: is the ink darker there? It should be because there should be two layers of ink. Or is the color uniform, as a printed or stamped signature would be?

Check other copies of the same book to see if that title was issued with the signature printed on it. Libraries are a good place to check. Is the author's name printed on the title page? If you see only the title and the signature that would indicate that the signature was printed as part of the page.

Was the item inscribed to someone? A forger is less likely to add an inscription: not only does that make more work but it is generally of slightly less value than a simple signature.

A note of caution: be wary of auction sites. If the item for sale looks like too good a deal, ask questions. Check carefully for mention of a preprint. Remember that Certificates of Authenticity are no more than fancy pieces of paper: like paper money they have no more value than the word of the person or organization who issued them. Most fears about authenticity can be assuaged by the simple expedient of contacting the dealer.

Walt Whitman

Gwendolyn Brooks

William Faulkner