Description:

Literature
various, various [ca. 1930s-40s]
70pp Literary Dealer's Lot of Notable 20th Century Authors & Poets: R. Jeffers, B. Smith, P. Buck & More!
Archive

A large archive of correspondence and related documents from notable 20th century writers, the majority of which are addressed to Ramona Herdman of Harper & Brothers while she was working as publicity director. Totaling approximately 70pp in all, the bulk of the collection consists of typed and manuscript letters signed, as well as a number of cards and photographs. Highlighted correspondents include Pearl S. Buck, Betty Smith, Robinson Jeffers, Frederic Prokosch, Fannie Hurst and J. B. Priestly, among many others. Exhibits varying degrees of creasing, folding, and moderate tearing to some, with areas of scattered soiling throughout. Good overall condition with fantastic contents! Please see accompanying images for further information.

Highlighted correspondents include:

- H. L. Mencken (1880-1956), essayist and political scholar.

- Louis Adamic (1898-1951), Slovene-American author and translator.

- Alexander Woollcott (1887-1943), American drama critic.

- Gustav Eckstein (1890-1981), psychologist.

- Ludwig Lewisohn (1882-1955), novelist and literary critic.

- Betty Smith (1896-1972), playwright and novelist of 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'.

- Fannie Hurst (1889-1968), novelist and short story writer.

- Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), writer and humanitarian best known for 'The Good Earth'.

- Sir George Henry Gater (1886-1963), British army officer.

- Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962), poet.

- Evangeline Booth (1865-1950), first female General of the Salvation Army from 1934-1939.

- Frederic Prokosch (1908-1989), novelist and poet.

- Anne Parrish (1888-1957), novelist and children's author.

- Edwin Markham (1852-1940), poet laureate of Oregon from 1923 to 1931.

- Carl Van Doren (1885-1950), critic and biographer.

- Margaret Deland (1857-1945), novelist and short story writer.

- J. B. Priestly (1894-1984), English novelist, screenwriter and broadcaster.

Ramona Herdman worked as the publicity director for Harper & Brothers publishers starting in the early 1930s. An author in her own right, she published three novels between 1936 and 1938, all of which were well reviewed. While her career as an writer ended abruptly, Herdman continued to work for Harper into the 1950s.

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This lot comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8" x 10"
  • Medium: Archive

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January 7, 2026 10:00 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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