Description:

P.L. Travers
Mayfield, Sussex, UK, November 14, 1934
P.L. Travers TLS with Mary Poppins Content "It makes me laugh to think of ten solemn business men [...] rushing around after Mary. P"
TLS

P.L. Travers (1899-1966). Typed letter by author of Mary Poppins P.L. Travers, signed "P.T.", discussing the American publishing rights to the first Mary Poppins book being sold to Reynal and Hitchcock, makers of "Mickey Mouse Pop-up books". 1p, 8" x 10", Mayfield, Sussex, UK, November 14, 1934. Page shows moderate toning and flattened mail folds, a small notch to the page on the left and repaired tears at the top center, right and lower center, not affecting signature.

Pamela Lyndon Travers was an Australian-born writer (born Helen Lyndon Goff), who lived most of her life in England, and is best known for authoring the Mary Poppins series of books. In this letter she laments the way the American publishing rights for the first Mary Poppins book were sold. She writes:

"You see, I was never consulted by my publisher Howe when all the offers from America began to pour in. He just casually informed me one day that I had been signed over to Reynal and Hitchcock and, since I did not know who on earth they were I enquired. "Oh," he replied airily "they published the Mickey Mouse Pop-up books!" I, of course, blanched. No! I said. Yes! said he. "I won't pop up." said I. "You may have to." said he. Just like that---as though I were a baby being handed to its Nannie. (I need not tell you that I am reserving the American rights of my next book myself and not signing them away to Howe so he can't hand me around on a dish after this book.)"

This excerpt hints at why it reportedly took nearly two decades and personal visits by Walt Disney himself to Travers' home in London, for Disney to finally acquire film rights to the Mary Poppins story, in 1964. The letter's content also shows how closely Travers holds the character to her heart, writing:

"I send you with this an English "Mary Poppins". [...] I am so glad you like her and it did amuse me that, after all, Harpers were sorry they hadn't got her. Mr Howe tells me that in all there have been ten publishers in U.S.A. wanting her. It makes me laugh to think of ten solemn business men, probably all with beards and very old, rushing around after Mary P. She herself, as you can imagine, is very conceited about it and not at all surprised. She always said to me "You write my biography and see what happens!" So after much pestering, I did and look what has happened."

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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