Description:

Emmett Dalton Sells the Rights to "When The Dalton's Road" Incredible TLS 1937

1p, [6.5” x 10.5”] Single Page TLS Emmett Dalton, San Francisco, CA, Dated February 11, 1937. Signed “Emmett Dalton”, and addressed to journalist and raconteur Bertrand “Frisco Bert” Couch. Five months before his death, Dalton discusses selling the rights to the movie “When the Dalton’s Rode” for $6,000, and offers Couch 10% royalties for selling the movie.

Signature dark and bold with some light feathering in the last name. Expected folds.

Dalton writes, with numerous spelling and punctuation errors:

"Mr Bertrand Couch
P.O. BOX 2297
San Francisco, Calif

DEAR BERT:

I GOT BACK MY PICTURE AND I WILL HAVE ANOTHER GOR SALE SHIRTLY AND IF YOU IT WANT HANDLE THE SALES END IT WILL BE ALRIGHT WITH ME.
THE NAME OF THE PICTURE IS “WHEN THE DALTONS RODE”.
IT WAS MADE IN 1931 I HAVE ABUUT 200 FAVORABLE NEWSPAPER REVIEWS ON IT FROM ALL OVER THE U.S. IF YOU CONCLUDE TO TACKLE IT I THINK YOU CAN GET THE BOOK IT WAS TAKEN FROM FROM SOME NEWS STAND IN SAN FRANCISCO. LET ME KNOW ABOUT THE RIGHTAWAY. I THINK THE STORY SHOULD SELL FOR ABOUT $6,000 DOLLARS AND I WILL ALLOW YOU TO 10 PER CENT FOR SELLING IT. THATS WAT THEY AL PAY. LET ME KNOW IF THIS AMOUNT IS AL O.K. IN YOUR WRITING BACK EAST YOU CAN MENTION IT TO ANY BUYER YOU MAY THINK OF.
TRY THIS HARD, THERE MAY BE A CHANCE FOR US TO MAKE SOME MONEY, AND LET ME KNOW ABOUT IT.

YOURS VERY TRULY

Emmett Dalton”

LET ME KNOW, IF ANY ONE MAKES ASY OFFER.

E.D.

The letter is accompanied by the original envelope which is postmarked “Los Angeles Feb 12 1937”, with a cancelled 3 cent Washington stamp, and the printed address and return address.

Emmett Dalton (b. 1871) was an American outlaw, train robber and member of the Dalton Gang in the American Old West. Emmett's older brothers briefly worked as US deputy marshals in Indian Territory, and shared a position held by their older brother Frank Dalton after he was killed in the line of duty. They hired Emmett to serve as a guard at the jail at Fort Smith, in present-day Arkansas. The elder two started working for the Osage Nation to help them set up a police force, but fled after being pursued for stealing horses. Shortly after, they began to conduct robberies of banks, stagecoaches, and trains. Emmett would later join them forming The Dalton Gang.

The Dalton Gang ended on October 5, 1892 when the crew attempted to rob two banks on the same day in Coffeyville, Kansas with the hope of making enough money to flee the country. Four of the gang were killed in a gun fight with law enforcement and townsmen. Emmett Dalton survived, but was severely wounded. It is said that he had the chance to escape, but upon seeing his brother Bob hurt, he turned back to help him on his horse. It was then that he was injured, receiving more than 23 gunshot wounds. Upon capture Emmett was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in Lansing. Dalton, considered a model prisoner, was pardoned by the state governor, and released after 14 years.

He would later move to Oklahoma and write two books including “When The Dalton’s Rode”, which would later be adapted into a movie of the same name directed by George Marshall and starring Randolph Scott, Kay Francis and Brian Donlevy. Universal announced the project in March 1940, nearly three years after the death of Dalton and began filming in May 1940 The script was written by Stuart Anthony and Lester Cole.

This item 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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