[Rarebooks] FS: Fine early Letter from Zane Grey to his Wife

[Charles Agvent]

  GREY, Zane. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS) to his wife. New York, March 
1908. A three-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED as "Pearl" (Grey was born 
Pearl Zane Gray) to his wife "Dolly" on three sheets of illustrated New 
Grand Hotel stationery with envelope postmarked March 1908. Grey 
discusses his rotten position: "I'm afraid I can't have Outing publish 
my book until everybody's got good and ready to let me.... And I, like 
an idiot signed that paper, which legally gives them the right to my 
photographs. Why didn't you or Murphy see that? If they don't choose to 
use the story & pictures I can't get the book published at all. It's 
most damnably sickening. I don't know what to do.... For a measly little 
hundred dollars I have about queered my chances.... Murphy says it will 
work out allright [sic]. I hope so, but tonight I can't see anything but 
black. Will be on the mountain tomorrow." Zane Grey decided to become a 
writer just five years before this letter when he wrote a fishing story 
that appeared in RECREATION MAGAZINE. Outing published Grey's third 
book, THE LAST OF THE PLAINSMEN, in 1908 complete with Grey's 
photographs. It was based on a trip Grey made out West with Col. 
"Buffalo" Jones in 1907. This trip was the turning point in Grey's life, 
but his book about Jones and his experiences in the Grand Canyon was not 
successful. It would be a few more years before Grey became a success 
with RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE. An outstanding early letter revealing 
the torment of a struggling writer. Folds from mailing, still about 
Fine, with envelope.         $1,500.00

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