Two H.L. Mencken Letters To Princeton University Students

H.L. MENCKEN (1880-1956). Mencken was an American journalist and writer best known for The American Language, a multi-volume study of how the English language is spoken. Two Mencken letters to Princeton University students R.J. OBrien and Charles Elliot. They are:a)TLS. 1 pg. 6 x 8. November 18, 1947. Baltimore. A typed letter signed H L Mencken: Gentlemen: - Your letter reaches me just as I am leaving for New York and when I get back Ill be over my head in the proofs and two long indexes of a new book. Thus I hesitate to propose a meeting in the near future. I hope to be in Princeton some time during the early Winter. Perhaps we might meet then. In the (truncated) letter, H.L. Mencken is most likely referring to The American Language, Supplement II, which was published in 1948. The American Language: An Inquiry into the Development of English in the United States, first published in 1919, is Menckens defense of the Americanisms that Americans utilize when speaking the English language. The letter was written on the stationery of his home in Baltimore from 1883 until his death, which is today a historic house museum. The letter is in fine condition and includes the original envelope. b)TLS. 1 pg. 6 x 8. December 2, 1947. Baltimore. A typed letter signed H L Mencken to R.J. OBrien, Esq.: God knows when Ill get to Princeton. No time is fixed. If I make the trip during the Winter, Ill certainly look you up. This is a response to a previous letter sent by Mencken to OBrien. (Inventory #: 6288)