Description:

Mickey Spillane TLS With Bonus SP: "Fortunately, I can still keep my forefingers straight enough to type"

Two items related to best-selling American crime novelist Frank Morrison Spillane (1918-2006), better known by his pen name Mickey Spillane, including a typed letter signed, as well as a signed and inscribed photograph.

The lot is comprised of:

1. A 1p typed letter signed by Spillane, as "Mickey Spillane" at center right. Written in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina on February 3, 1999 on customized stationery paper with "Mickey Spillane Productions" letterhead. One typographical error has been corrected by Spillane in the text. Expected light surface wear including a few wrinkles, and a paper clip ghost impression at top, else near fine. 8.5" x 10.875."

Spillane, who would celebrate his 81st birthday on March 9th, wrote this irreverent letter about aging to an autograph collector named Karl.

In part:

"…Right now I have some sort of arthritis in my thumbs and holding a pen isn't easy. Fortunately, I can still keep my forefingers straight enough to type. But hell, I'm almost eighty-one so I should expected something. At least I don't wear glasses or need Viagra and have a full head of hair. White, naturally…"

Spillane had been writing short stories for comic books and pulp magazines, as well as novels, since the 1940s. Any medical condition affecting the career author's ability to write was a concern. With characteristic good humor and persistence, however, Spillane was happy to continue writing, if only by typewriter. Spillane's first major novel "I, The Jury" was published in 1947, and introduced his serial protagonist, detective Mike Hammer. Hammer would appear in twelve other novels published up until 1997. The Mike Hammer series was incredibly popularly successful though critics found fault with the writing, plot, and character development.

2. A photograph inscribed and signed by Spillane, as "Hi Karl - great to say / hello! / Mickey Spillane" along the top edge. The glossy, color photograph printed on Fujifilm photo paper shows Spillane dressed in the trappings of his hard-boiled detective character, Mike Hammer: pin-striped shirt, dark jacket, and fedora. He is reading a "Mike Danger" comic book based on a character of the same name developed by him. Near fine. 3.5" x 5."

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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March 30, 2022 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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$100 $299 $20
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$2,000 $2,999 $200
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$50,000 + $5,000