Collection of letters to S.J. Perelman. 1 a.l.s. and 3 t.ls.s. 1966, and undated (ca. 1958).
The first two written on The New York Times letterhead: thanks for Perelman's "collected pieces" (probably The Most of S.J. Perelman, published 1958); "I don't suppose anyone in the business of using words can be indifferent to your vocabulary and the dexterity with which you use it to create mood. 'Poetry' is a word that has such specific connotations that I don't suppose I should apply it to your writing. But isn't the method and the purpose the same?" In the second letter "I also found it impossible last night to read to Oriana your grandfather's device for keeping babies from sucking their thumbs. I tried. But every time I go to the 'Mills grenade' I couldn't get any further. Why 'Mills grenade'? It is like 'green fracture'--precise but irrelevant and very funny. The third letter (a.l.s.) on Atkinson's personal stationery "I just want to say that I think Dial 'H' for Heartburn is absolutely perfect in theme, style and characterization, not to forget that it is also funny. It seems to me in a style that is new for you (or am I wrong about that?) Anyway it's as perfect as a sonnet....." The last and only dated letter sends thanks "for sending me a copy of Chicken Inspector No. 23--a brilliant title....About a month ago I sent to Simon and Schuster my comments on the book and particularly your style, and I assume that you have seen them....If Al [Hirschfeld] can't illustrate your pieces I think they ought to be illustrated by Steinberg...." A copy of Atkinson's eulogistic letter is included. Item #23534
Atkinson and Perelman were members of The Deep Six, "an informal luncheon club organized by Harvey Orkin that met weekly in the backroom of a seafood restaurant on West 46th Street....The core membership [also] consisted of ... New Yorker writers Joseph Mitchell and Philip Hamburger, [and] Al Hirschfeld" Crowther, "Don't Tread on Me", p. 247 note,
Price: $200.00