Fine Books and Manuscripts, Including Selections from the Collection of Barbara and Ira Lipman
Fine Books and Manuscripts, Including Selections from the Collection of Barbara and Ira Lipman
The Passion of American Collectors: Property of Barbara and Ira Lipman
Gardner, Erle Stanley | The birth of Perry Mason--and Della Street!
Lot Closed
December 16, 07:57 PM GMT
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
The Passion of American Collectors: Property of Barbara and Ira Lipman
Gardner, Erle Stanley
The author's first two book contracts.
Two publisher's printed contracts, each bifolium (352 x 218 mm) on yellow paper, each with numerous typed modifications, New York, William Morrow and Co., 1 December 1932 and 13 September 1933, signed by Gardner and others (as described below), each with typed modified royalty clause pasted in; horizontal folds. Two quarter black morocco folders, spines gilt-lettered, black buckram covers, black morocco gilt lettering-pieces.
The Birth of Perry Mason. Erle Stanley Gardner's first book contract with William Morrow and Company, for his first and second books, tentatively titled in the contract Beyond Reasonable Doubt and The Silent Verdict (published as The Case of the Velvet Claws and The Case of the Sulky Girl).
Best-selling author and creator of Perry Mason, Erle Stanley Gardner (1889–1970) was an attorney and veteran writer for the pulps who turned to novel writing in 1932. His agent successfully pitched the first two Perry Mason books to Thayer Hobson at Morrow and the extraordinarily detective series was launched. The contract, dated 1 December 1932 is signed by Gardner and witnessed by Agnes Bethell, with Hobson signing for Morrow. Agnes (Jean) Bethell was Gardiner's private secretary from the early 1930s, the model for Della Street in the Perry Mason series, and his longtime companion. Gardner's first wife refused him a divorce and it was only following her death that Gardner and Bethell were married in 1968.
The second contract with Morrow was for his third through sixth books, The Case of the Howling Dog, The Case of the Lucky Legs, and two untitled books (The Case of the Curious Bride and The Case of the Counterfeit Eye). The contract, dated 13 September 1933, is signed by Erle Stanley Garner and witnessed by Jean Bethell, with Thayer Hobson signing for Morrow.
PROVENANCE
Estate of Jean Bethell Gardner