Three typed letters signed ("Sid") to Jay Martin, who was working on his biography of Nathanael West; New York and n.p., 29 November 1968, 6 January 1969, and 5 July 1974
From the Bart Auerbach Collection. The first two (total of 3 pages, large 8vo, single-spaced) are on 'The New Yorker' stationery and the third (one page, large 8vo, double-spaced) is on airmail paper. A total of approximately 800 words. With two original 'New Yorker' mailing envelopes. Item #409473
The letters discuss the West archive over which Perelman, as West's brother-in-law, apparently had stewardship. In the first he strongly urges that galleys of the biography (published in 1970) be sent to him because he "might be able to catch what may be interpreted eventually as a few glaring errors." Perelman asks about the whereabouts of the West papers Martin has been using. He would like to have the archive back so it could be offered for sale to the University of Texas. He continues with this request for the return of the papers in the second letter. In the final letter Perelman declines to allow publication of some unpublished West manuscripts: "The remnants are so scanty and tentative that I feel sure one would be accused of scraping the bottom of the barrel; I myself have no desire to see 'Even Stephen' published, nor can I see how the publication of those early short stories or a screenplay of West's would add one cubit to his stature." (BA).
Price: $1,000.00