Heading:
Author: Crumb, Robert
Title: R. Crumb Handwritten Letter, Lot of Two, 2009
Place Published:
Publisher:
Date Published:
Description:

Two original letters, hand-written by R. Crumb in pencil on 8.5" x 11" paper. Dated July 3 and 12, 2009. Signed "R. C." Excellent condition; first letter has a small rectangle trimmed from bottom corner. Crumb's 21st c. epistolary technique is as follows: his brother-in-law Alex prints out emails addressed to Crumb; the un-tech-savvy Crumb writes his response on paper; Alex transcribes the handwritten letter into email, sends the email to the correspondent and saves the letter. A collector has latterly made an exclusive deal to obtain Crumb's handwritten email drafts; thus, these "email letters" are now essentially off the market.

A lengthy letter by Crumb to J.R. Helton, author of Drugs: A Novel, effusive with praise for Helton's manuscript, calling it a "great book," and agreeing to do artwork for the cover at no charge. Crumb is generous with both his praise and his advice, counseling Helton to be wary of "the siren song of HOLLYWOOD" and providing numerous specifics. The second letter finds Crumb even more helpful, offering to forward a copy of the manuscript to Crumb's literary agent, Lora Fountain. Crumb signs off by recommending John Fante's Road to Los Angeles: "It's the greatest." Helton's book was published in 2012 with cover art by Crumb; the book garnered favorable Amazon reviews, although one bloke bemoaned the heavy sex action: "I would have preferred less explicit sexual encounters" - to each his own.

Consignments Accepted for PBA's Next Comic Book Auction. Golden Age, Silver Age, Pre-Code, Original Art, Interesting Ephemera Sought. Contact ivan@pbagalleries.com for details.

PBA COMICS March 26th Comic Book Sale catalogues available. Supplies Limited. Softcover catalogues limited to 200 copies ($45 + $5 postage/handling). Hardcovers limited to 26 lettered copies, dust jackets, special limitation plates ($150). Contact ivan@pbagalleries.com.