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J.D. Salinger TLS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:NA
J.D. Salinger TLS
"WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AFTER THE AUCTION ENDS BY THE AUCTIONEER ONCE ALL BIDS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED TO DETERMINE THE WINNER FOR EACH LOT."
J.D. Salinger typed letter signed, dated 18 October 1989 from his hometown in Cornish, New Hampshire. Letter is addressed to author Nardie Reeder Campion, who was the sister of celebrated WWII Colonel Russell Reeder, commander of the 12th Regiment of the 4th Infantry division, which Salinger served with during the D-Day invasion. Here, Salinger thanks Campion for lending him a tape of her brother's D-Day speech at West Point. Reads in full: ''Dear Mrs. Campion, My intentions were to get this tape safely back to you much, much sooner than this, but there have been distractions, and I deal with distractions poorly. I think it a unique and valuable tape, not only in all the important ways but in all the little uncommonly decent ways that are too modest to aspire to 'importance'. I'm sure you, too, can't have missed noticing that the cadets actually present during the Colonel's address were entirely aware that something altogether exceptional was going on, that somebody of rank unmistakably fine and modest, as well as informed, was addressing them. It isn't the way things usually go in the world, but how very reasonable it would be, I think, if every class passing through West Point -- especially the graduating, the outgoing class -- were to have a look at Colonel Reeder as he is in this tape, just as he sits, stands, and says what he chooses to say here. Thanks so much for thinking to let me see the tape. I think it's a certainty I might have missed seeing it otherwise. Sincerely, J.D. Salinger''. In a postscript, Salinger adds, ''Tape and book enclosed. It's not a thin book, the History of the 12th Infantry, and I don't need it back at any particular time.'' Letter measures 8.5'' x 11'' and is in near fine condition.