[Rarebooks] FS: Mari Sandoz Correspondence

[Wessel & Lieberman Booksellers]

Sandoz, Mari. Small archive of correspondence between Sandoz and Carelton F.
Wells, author, editor and Professor of English at University of Michigan. 

2pp. TLS from Sandoz on her letterhead dated November 12, 1935. Content:
Responds to the question "Have there been two strikingly different pioneer
Nebraskas?" The two versions being hers in the recently published "Old
Jules" and the Nebraska of Willa Cather's novels. Sandoz states the four
great similarities of pioneer life and that the "pioneer region of Willa
Cather was never so close to the frontier in her time as my region was in my
life". Talks about the Indian wars and subsequent homesteader settlements.
The difficulty of raising cattle due to hungry Indians. Compares the
topography of the two regions. Goes on to say "Of course, one real
difference lies much deeper than the material-the difference between an
artist of the caliber of Miss Cather, and an ordinary plug frontier
historian with a craving to write!" 

Copy of the 1pp. response by Wells dated April 20, 1936 on University of
Michigan carbon paper with 1pp. typed excerpt of the "Wolf-Pack" episode
from Old Jules (p.157-158). Content: Acknowledges the differences between
the Nebraska of Sandoz and Cather. Talks about Old Jules as "an amazing
piece of family portraiture" then talks about the Wolf Pack excerpt and
relates it to an article by Stefansson which refutes the existence of wolf
packs.

2pp TLS with grammatical corrections from Sandoz on her letterhead dated
April 27, 1936. Content: "Thank you very much for the Stefansson article";
relates hunting stories from Old Jules noting that he never saw a wolf pack
and explains how a group of wolves might come together to feast on a kill
but travel alone or in twos. Also states that last wolf seen in Nebraska was
the one Old Jules killed. Talks about her studying the history of the west
at University of Nebraska to confirm her findings in researching Old Jules.

1pp. TLS from Sandoz on her letterhead dated August 29, 1938. Content:
Thanks Wells for "confirming my verdict of 'The Yearling'". Paragraph on
Audubon and his biographers and the fact that they "all soft-pedal the
Missouri journey. There were some pretty lusty goings-on and mighty wild
shows of temperament". Talks about her short stories and their appearances
(and lack of) in magazines. Talks about writing a biography of the Indian
chiefs Dull Knife and Little Wolf that would be in the same class as
Neihardt's Black Elk Speaks and Linderman's American. 

1 postcard from Sandoz in her hand and signed with her New York City address
pre-printed. Dated June 24, 1950. Content: "It's nice to see your name/ ..to
the jaws/ of McCarthyism/Sincerely/ Mari Sandoz.

Images available upon request (30189)  $350.00

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