Description:

Mickey Spillane TLS RE: "I, the Jury" & Mike Hammer, With Bonus SP

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 lower right. Written in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina on March 15, 1998 on customized stationery paper with "Mickey Spillane Productions" letterhead. At least five typographical errors have been corrected by Spillane throughout the text; these appear as cross-out "x's." Expected light surface wear including paper folds and a few extra minor wrinkles, else near fine. 8.5" x 10.875."

Spillane, who had just celebrated his 80th birthday, wrote this chatty letter to an autograph collector named Karl. In part, with punctuation omissions silently corrected:

"…Fifty years ago, when I wrote 'I, The Jury,' I never stopped to think it would go on as long as it has…You asked a question writers always get…which is your best book. It's either the one you just finished or the one you're working on NOW. 'I, TJ' was my first book. My style has changed, improved, I hope, and the new book isn't finished yet, so you know the answer. 'I, TJ' has the greatest sales, having been on the market longer…"

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.

In the letter, Spillane also mentions his partner, producer and talent manager Jay Bernstein (1937-2006), and actor Stacy Keach (born 1941), who played Mike Hammer in three television series and four television movies from 1984-1998. Spillane writes, "Yup, I like Stacy's presentation of Mike Hammer..."

2. A photograph inscribed and signed by Spillane, as "Hi Karl - a big 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. Near fine. 4" 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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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000