Auction Date:2010 Oct 13 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Two pages of handwritten lyrics on two 8.5 x 12 lined tan pages, both signed at the bottom, “Woody Guthrie,” dated May 1956, and written at the Brooklyn State Hospital, but never recorded. Much of the text is undecipherable clearly showing the effects of Huntington's disease, for which he was hospitalized from 1956 to 1961. One page bears lyrics to a work entitled “Why,” and reads, in part: “Why does it hurt all us… so much of… here than it hurts all my (?) ever here to written it… (?)… and also to divorce it?" Second page bears 27 lines in Guthrie’s hand, and reads, in part: “Gotta make my gate, Brooklyn, Brooklyn my, Brooklyn state, my Brooklyn state.” Second page also bears a second Guthrie signature along right side. In very good condition, with tape repair to complete bisecting horizontal separation to second page, uniform toning, several other archival tape repairs to reverse of both pages, and some scattered edge chipping. The theme of pain and escape is palpable in these two pages, composed as the singer optimistically—perhaps too optimistically—entertained the notion of hitting the road to perform while combatting a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder. In May 1952, Guthrie began to fall ill, and by September was diagnosed with Huntington's disease. Two years later, with the effects of the disease making him no longer able to function, Guthrie checked into Brooklyn State Hospital. On May 23, 1956, shortly after putting these thoughts on the pages offered here, Guthrie checked himself out of the facility and planned to tour, but within days was arrested for vagrancy in New Jersey. He was involuntarily committed to Greystone Park Hospital, a psychiatric hospital, and transferred to Brooklyn State five years later. An amazing example as the legendary songwriter physically struggled to commit his emotional pain to paper.
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
Previewing Details:
Visit www.RRAuction.com
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
20% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Up to $100 $10.00
$101-$500 $15.00
$501-$1,000 $20.00
$1,001-$3,000 $35.00
$3,000-$10,000 $45.00
Over $10,000 $100.00
Payment Details:
Paypal address: mandy@rrauction.com
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- Discover
- Money Order/Bank Draft
- Check/Cheque
- PayPal
Buyer's Premium
A 20% buyer's premium will be added to each winning bid, with a 2% discount for those paying by check, cash, or money order.
Your bid is a contract
Placing a bid online means you agree to abide by the terms and conditions listed by RRAuction.
Payment methods accepted
Money Order, Cashier's Check, Personal Check, or Wire Transfer.
Payment for items won in auction 353 is due by Monday, January 25, unless prior arrangements have been made. Late payment may result in suspension of your bidding privileges.
Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, or Discover are only accepted up to $5,000 without prior arrangement: please contact Mandy Eaton-Casey.
Further descriptions
You can call us or email us if you'd like us to answer questions about these items.