Description:

Hendrik W. van Loon
Old Greenwich, CT, 1941-1943
H. Van Loon Archive of (4) War-Dated ALS, Including Illustrations
Archive

A superb archive of correspondence from notable 20th century writer Hendrik W. van Loon, all addressed to one Lynwood Giacomini of Seattle, Washington. Signed throughout as "Hendrik Willem van Loon" and totaling 7pp in his hand, 2 of which feature original illustrations. Each written from his home in Old Greenwich, CT, ranging in date from 1941 to 1943. Within, he makes several references to Hitler, the ongoing World War, and the effect its had on his writing. The group is accompanied by four related typed letters from Henrik's wife, Helen "Jimmie" van Loon (1882-1958), two of which are dated after her husband's death. Exhibits expected letter folds and creasing throughout, with areas of scattered soiling. Minor tearing to some. Holograph envelopes maintained, showing evident handling wear and cut openings. Otherwise, very good with interesting contents!

Excerpts include:

- Old Greenwich, January 31, 1941: "I absorb pleasant sentiments like our cat having a dish of cream. Besides, it is not easy to write these days- write books, I mean- for all the time we are waiting for what is coming next. In order to keep my sanity I may decide to write a sequel to my Rembrandt, this time taking Beethoven as the center of my story…
Today will decide whether I will have the courage to face poverty once more. Pray for me."

- Old Greenwich, February 14, 1941: "I shall do my best but as I never smoked so noble a tobacco before, the result may be disastrous. However, I am deeply grateful to you."

- Old Greenwich, March 3, 1941: "I am just back from a few days at the White House. The atmosphere fairly gloomy. Herr Hitler and Japan are coming a little closer every day and Wheeler fiddles and once more, as so often in our democracy, the minority rules the majority. It does not make sense.
I find it impossible to write history just now. and so I take two months holiday to try what I can do with my Beethoven. Pray for me!"

- Old Greenwich, June 9, 1943: "Some day this ghastly war will be over and I dare to make one prediction- we will all of us hasten to forget it as we invariably hasten to forget a very unpleasant operation.
My own position is a curious one- a futile one as I happen to feel. I can do nothing. I have parted company with the Great White Father. He remains the boss, of course, and I am his loyal subject. But his unwillingness to accept the issue raised by John Lewis (who has now won out all along the line) exposes our country to take the risk of becoming another Australia and that is the worst fate that can overtake any civilized land. And so all I can do is sit and stay put at my desk and try to create the sort of atmosphere in which I… would really like to live. Hence the autobiography which undoubtedly will get a name somewhat different from the rather sentimental 'Joy of Living.'
…In the meantime I have written one chapter for 'The X Commandments and Adolf Hitler.' The other collaborators are Thomas Mann, [Franz] Werfel, [André] Maurois, Sigrid Undsett, Louis Bromfield, [Martin Andersen] Nexø, Edna St. Vincent Millay and some others of the same ilk."

Hendrik Willem van Loon (1888-1944) was a Dutch-American historian and journalist, in addition to being a successful children's book author and illustrator. Best remembered among these is 'The Story of Mankind' (1921), a history of the world intended for a young audience, which won the first Newbery Medal in 1922. After having revisited Germany many times throughout the 1920s, he would be banned from the country when the Nazis came to power. Indeed, Van Loon's criticism of Hitler and totalitarianism would earn the respect of Franklin D. Roosevelt, particularly during World War II.

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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