Autograph Letter Signed

NP, 1950. NP: 1950.

Full Description:

CHANDLER, Raymond. Autograph Letter Signed. [NP]: 1950.

An autographed note signed "Raymio" to his beloved wife Cissy, on the half-title of the book Elephant Bill by Lt.-Col J.H. Williams (first edition, 1950. In dust jacket), along with an eight-line original poem about an elephant in Chander's hand, signed "R." A Christmas gift dated 12/25/1950.

On the half-title of the book, Chandler inscribes "This is for my Cissy/ From [?} who would like her to know more about/ his family/ Raymio/ December 25, 1950." Just below this he writes a poem as follows: "The Pachyderm awakes (truncated) at dawn And drinks his coffee strong. He walks as softly as a mouse. He works both hard & long. He wears the largest size in pants, The smallest size in tails,

And glad am I that I don't have To manicure his nails.

Along with this is a typed version on the poem on a half sheet of typing paper (7 1/2 x

5 3/8 inches; 190 x 138 mm) with the headline "Forgotten Lines I wrote on the fly leaf of a Book" and finished "RC" in type.

Another typed poem by by Chandler daed 8/18/57 is included. On a full page of typing paper (11 x 7 1/2 inches; 280 x 190 mm). Paper a bit creased and toned. The poem is also about an elephant and is 14 lines entitled "Lines to a Dashed Hope"

"Though thoughtful Burmese elephants are rare And too expensive for my modest purse,

I wonder could my flattery make one care

To act for me as memory and nurse? Alas, of all such hope I must depair,

Her Trumpeting would make the neighbours curse,

Her vast behind would pulverize a chair

And almost dwarf the blinking universe. Lady of massive tootsies, gentle eyes, Long clever trunk and carriage grave and slow,

I know know you have a memory like a vise, But you can't tell the things you'll never know; It takes a little more than looking wise Even to make this a silly sonnet grow. RC 8.18.57"

The autographed poem is housed on the half-title of the book

WILLIAMS, Lt.Col- J.H.. Elephant Bill. New York, Doubleday & Company, Inc. 1950.

First edition. Octavo (8 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches; 208 x 140 mm). Full green cloth. With brown lettering on spine and a brown elephant stamped on front cover. With maps on the endpapers and numerous photographic illustrations throughout. Book is about fine. In publisher's photographic dust jacket. With some chipping, rubbing and creasing to jacket, but no repairs. Overall a very good copy.

HBS 69326.

$3,500. (Inventory #: 69326)