LETTER by CHRISTOPHER ISHERWOOD to an Executive at METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER seeking permission to work, without pay, on a British War Relief film that was being made by RKO Pictures.

Single page typed letter, signed, framed, 6x8 inches (perhaps a bit more beneath the mounts). The letter has the return address of 303 South Amalfi Drive, Santa Monica (California). It is addressed to an unknown (to me) MGM exec named Ken, and is dated July 11, (likely circa 1940).

The letter reads:

"Dear Ken, / Robert Stevenson, of R.K.O., has asked me to contribute some ideas to the picture which he is making in aid of the British War Relief fund. / As you probably know, all British actors and writers in Hollywood are requested to help, and naturally I am anxious to do my share. As I am on a lay-off, and shall not, of course, be paid anything, I hope Metro will give me permission to accept ? In any case, the job would only take two or three days. / Yours sincerely, / Christopher Isherwood (signed)".

The letter is framed with two mounts, the upper mount being marbled. The frame measures 11.5x13.5 inches. It is sealed with brown paper on the backside and has a metal hanging wire.

I have not inspected the letter outside of the frame, but it appears in NEAR FINE condition, as do the mounts. The frame is solid, it is wood and has a number of small scrapes and indents.

Christopher Isherwood moved to Hollywood in 1939 and went under contract with MGM for the year 1940-1941.

Isherwood was involved with many Hollywood films, as screenwriter, co-screenwriter, and as the writer upon which films were based. A couple examples: The film CABARET was based on his story "Goodbye to Berlin".

A wonderful piece of British and Hollywood World War II film and literary history.

THE DECLINE OF LIBERALISM, by H.J. LASKI, Professor of Political Science in the University of London.

Published as: "L. T. HOBHOUSE MEMORIAL TRUST LECTURES No. 10". Lecture "Delivered on 24 May 1940 at Canterbury Hall / London School of Economics / London".

Published by Oxford University Press / Humphrey Milford, London, 1940. First edition.

Booklet, wrappers / paper covers, 6x9 inches, 24 pages.

GOOD condition, the wrappers are chipped along the edges and have some creases, internally the pages have a crease to the bottom corner, otherwise tight, bright, clean, clear and unmarked. A solid, presentable copy.

About Harold J. Laski (excerpted from Wikipedia):

******Harold Joseph Laski, b.1893 d.1950, was an English political theorist and economist. He was active in politics and served as the chairman of the British Labour Party from 1945 to 1946 and was a professor at the London School of Economics from 1926 to 1950. He first promoted pluralism by emphasising the importance of local voluntary communities such as trade unions. After 1930, he began to emphasize the need for a workers revolution, even if a violent one. Laski was one of Britain's most influential intellectual spokesmen for Communism in the interwar years. In particular, his teaching greatly inspired students, some of whom later became leaders of the newly independent nations in Asia and Africa. He was perhaps the most prominent intellectual in the Labour Party, especially for those on the hard left Born to a Jewish family, Laski was also a supporter of Zionism and supported the creation of a Jewish state. He is beloved in India for his unfailing support for its independence, and for his socialist ideals.******

BEATS & COMPANY : PORTRAIT OF A LITERARY GENERATION, by ANN CHARTERS.

Published by Doubleday & Company / a Dolphin Book, New York, 1986. First edition, first printing, as indicated by the statement "First Edition" on the copyright page, and with the date 1986 on the title page and copyright page with no statement of additional printings.

Hardcover Book in Dustjacket, large format, 9x12 inches, 159 pages.

RICHLY ILLUSTRATED with b&w (and a few color) PHOTOGRAPHS of BEAT WRITERS taken by ANN CHARTERS over many years. The writers whose photographs are included are indexed by name at the rear.

Condition: GOOD PLUS book, the covers have just a bit of wear to the corner tips and spine ends, and a bit of shelf rubbing to the bottom edges, very solid and nice; internally there is some light toning and waviness to the top margin, otherwise tight, bright, clean and unmarked. In a FAIR price-clipped dustjacket that has tears, creases and chips to its top edge and lesser so at its bottom edge; and clear tape repair / reinforcement to the backside along the edges; despite the flaws the dustjacket is bright and still doing its job well.

What makes this copy special is that LAID IN is a HANDWRITTEN card from SAMUEL CHARTERS to his longtime FRIEND and PUBLISHER, ROBERT HAWLEY, owner and operator of OYEZ PRESS. It is dated November 22, 1982, and reads:

"Robert / So good to hear your voice, even though it is such a strained time for you. Things must get better. We try to think of some way to help, if there's anything please let us know. I'm off to Louisiana next week, then we leave shortly after. Plans - Dec. 17 to England - Travel with Mallay (his daughter) then she goes back to her school. After January 20 we are at the old address - Värmdövägen 215, 3141 Nacka, Sweden. Much, much to do before we leave, but I don't think it will overwhelm us. Annie's (his wife Ann Charters) Beat encyclopedia is being pasted up now and looks very exciting. You should receive your copy in early spring. // We love you all and think of you. / Be well / Sam"

The card was written at a time when Robert Hawley and Oyez Press were having serious financial difficulties. Ann Charters' "Beat Encyclopedia" referenced in this 1982 card was published in 1983 as a two volume set titled "The Beats, Literary Bohemians in Postwar America". Oyez Press published a number of books by Samuel Charters and Ann Charters, starting in 1968.

Also LAID IN is a small note from ANN CHARTERS to DOROTHY and ROBERT HAWLEY. Likely circa 1999 or 2000, as it references her book published in 1999. It reads:

"Dear Dorothy and Robert / I'll be reading from vol. 2 of the Kerouac Letters at Black Oak Books on Tues. Dec. 7th at 7:30 pm. / Love, Annie".

A LOVELY NETWORK OF ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN SAM CHARTERS, HIS WIFE ANN CHARTERS, ROBERT AND DOROTHY HAWLEY, OYEZ PRESS, AND THE BEATS.

About ANN CHARTERS (from Wikipedia): "Ann Charters, b. 1936, is a professor of American Literature at the University of Connecticut. She worked with Jack Kerouac to compile his bibliography. After his death she wrote the first Kerouac biography. She edited the two volume encyclopedia The Beats: Literary Bohemians in Postwar America and has published a collection of her photographic portraits of Beat writers in the book Beats & Company."

About SAMUEL CHARTERS (from Wikipedia): "Samuel Barclay Charters IV, b.1929 d.2015, was an American music historian, writer, record producer, musician, and poet. He was a widely published author on the subjects of blues and jazz."

About ROBERT HAWLEY and the OYEZ PRESS (from an online Obituary): "Robert Lorin Hawley, b.1929 d.2017, was a noted antiquarian bookseller and cofounder of the Oyez Press. In 1964, Hawley cofounded the Oyez Press. Oyez published works by noted SF Bay Area Beat Writers. Its poetry editions were well regarded for the simplicity and elegance of their designs. At its height Oyez was publishing about ten books a year."

TWO GENEALOGIES of the SCHUMACHER FAMILY.

(1) THE FAMILY OF JOHN SCHUMACHER 1849-1907. Compiled by Elizabeth Schumacher Suter, Evan Suter, and Winford Suter. Self Published, Pandora, Ohio, 1975. Plastic spiral bound, 8.5x11 inches, 31 unnumbered pages, pages printed on one side only. GOOD condition, creasing to the cover corners, a number taped to the top of the inside front cover (1626), otherwise bright, clean, clear and unmarked.

From the Preface: "Tracing the genealogy of each of the sixteen branches of the Schumacher family that have grown out of the Peter Schumacher-Elizabeth Suter union (1839) has proved to be a task bigger than anyone cared to assume to date (1975). The work presented here is a partial genealogy, following only the line of John, the seventh child."

(2) THE FAMILY OF DAVID P. SCHUMACHER 1855-1917. Compiled by Jeanette Schumacher Lehman, with the assistance of Leland Gerber and Robert W. Suter. Self Published, Pandora, Ohio, circa 1976. Plastic spiral bound, 8.5x11 inches, 20 pages, pages printed on one side only. GOOD condition, creasing to the cover corners, a couple broken spirals, a number taped to the top of the inside front cover (1627), otherwise bright, clean, clear and unmarked.

A COLLECTION OF SMUCKER DESCENDANTS. Compiled by John R. Smucker. Prepared for the 1981 North American Smucker Reunion.

Self Published, Harleysville, Pennsylvania, 1981.

Illustrated paper covers, side stapled, approximately 100 pages printed on 8.5x11 inch paper. The paper is multi-colored, with each family line given a different color paper section.

FAIR condition. The paper covers have corner creases, light toning to the edges, and a scar from the removal of a label on the rear cover. Internally, some creases, a stamp of the "Mennonite Historical Library" at the bottom of the endpapers (the stamps have been lined out and "deaccessioned" written beside them), and one page has a 4 inch tear and associated creasing that has been repaired with clear tape (text remains legible), otherwise the pages are bright, clean and clear.

DESCENDANTS of JACOB RUTH SWARTZ and MARY BERGEY HUNSBERGER. Compiled by Melva L. Taylor.

Contains related family names: Miller, Huether, Liebler, Temple, Bergey, Wingham and Devitt.

Self Published, Clarkston, Michigan, 1988.

130 copy-machine printed 8.5x11 inch pages, printed on one side only on light blue paper, three hole punched and held in a blue three-ring blue vinyl binder.

There are some handwritten additions and changes here and there, presumably by the author.

VERY GOOD condition: The binder is clean and looks rather new. Internally, there are relevant handwritten additions and changes here and there throughout (adding to the genealogical value of this work, imho), the pages have a bit of toning to the edges and some of the usual light copy-machine smudges and marks. A very presentable copy of this scarce genealogy.

JACOB GUENGERICH FAMILY HISTORY: DESCENDANTS of JACOB GUENGERICH & BARBARA MILLER. By Eli E. and Mary GINGERICH (13-41).

Contains many related family names including: Byler, Beiler, Schlabach, Coblentz.

Self Published, April 1985.

COPY of ATLEE R. COBLENTZ, with his SIGNATURE at the top of the front free endpaper. He is listed in the index (14-229). He was born in 1949 and died in 2018.

Hardcovers, burgundy colored cloth covered boards titled in gilt on the front cover and spine, 8.5x11 inches, approximately 500 pages including a 90 page name Index at the rear.

GOOD condition, covers are bumped at the bottom corner tips, have some pinhead size spots, and the spine gilt is lightly faded; internally, the front inner hinge is split but holding well, the first few pages are bound in a bit tightly making them not quite flush, otherwise the inner pages are tight, bright, clean and unmarked. A solid, presentable copy.

INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS PLEASE NOTE: This book is heavy and will require additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the charges and be able to accept or reject them before payment is taken. Thanks!

DESCENDANTS of JACOB N. and MARY S. MUSSELMAN 1831-2007. Compiled by Huldah M. Petersheim.

Self Published / Printed by Masthof Press, Morgantown, Pennsylvania, [2007].

SIGNED by the Compiler, Huldah M. Petersheim, beneath her printed name on the title page.

Hardcovers, blue cloth covered boards titled in gilt on the front cover and spine, 8.5x11 inches, 434 pages including a comprehensive 90 page name Index at the rear.

Includes MANY related family names, most prominently: Martin, Sensenig, Kreider, Risser, Cameron, Walsh, and Axe.

FINE condition, looks and feels unused. A lovely copy.

INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS PLEASE NOTE: This book is heavy and will require additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the charges and be able to accept or reject them before payment is taken. Thanks!

HEXES AND HEATHER, by Gladys (Rittenhouse Johnson) Stoner.

From the Foreword: "This book has been written so that our children and those who follow after may know something of our ancestry...Our fathers' people, Johnsons, Sinclairs, Gordons, Forfars and Thomsons were Scotch, our mothers' people, Rittenhouse, Honsbergers, Funks, Gaymans, etc. were Pennsylvania Dutch, as were also my husband's people..."

Genealogies of families related to the author Gladys Rittenhouse Johnson Stoner. Most seem to be finally settled around Ontario, Canada, and some nearby Provinces and American states.

Self Published, [Ontario, Canada], revised second printing 1982 (first printing 1973).

Hardcovers, red cloth covered boards, gilt lettering on the spine, 8.5x11 inches, 211 pages. Illustrated with some b&w photographs.

NEAR FINE condition, there are a few handwritten corrections to the text presumably by the author, otherwise tight, bright, clean and unmarked. A solid, lovely copy.

SCARCE, the only copy I could find is held at the Ontario Genealogical Society.

INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS PLEASE NOTE: This book will require additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the charges and be able to accept or reject them before payment is taken. Thanks!

HISTORICAL SKETCHES of SEVEN GENERATIONS: DESCENDANTS of DEACON MICHAEL GERBER 1763-1938. Compiled by E.P. Gerber.

Self Published, Kidron, Ohio, [1938].

Hardcovers, gilt titling on the front cover and spine, 5x7.5 inches, 284 pages including a 20 page Index at the rear.

FAIR condition: New endpapers and title page that were photocopied and tipped in; the cover's spine is sunned, the page edges are foxed and there is a red marker line across the top page edges (page edges of the closed book); internally, the front and rear pastedowns are toned and have offsetting; there is a glued on remnant of a newspaper article on the gutter margin of an early page; there are handwritten notes, marks, additions and changes here and there throughout (adding to the genealogical richness of the work, imho), otherwise a solid, complete copy with text that is clear.

Rich in genealogy and ancestry, even more so with the handwritten additions.

MONATSBLÄTTER AUS BETHEL COLLEGE, KANSAS. (Deutsche Ausgabe des Schul und College Journals / German Edition of the Monthly School and College Journal). Two Volumes / 24 Issues bound in hardcovers.

Volume VIII, Numbers 1-12, 1903, and Volume IX, Numbers 1-12, 1904, bound in this one book. TEXT in GERMAN FRAKTUR. Published by Bethel College, Newton, Kansas, 1903-1904.

Hardcovers, black cloth covered spine and marbled paper covered boards, paper handwritten title label on spine, marbled page edges, 6.5x9.5 inches. Pagination: Volume VIII, 12 Issues, 144 + [2] pages; Volume IX, 12 Issues, 192 + [2] pages.

FAIR condition, the covers have some rubs and scrapes, especially along the edges, but are solid and doing their job well; the top page edges (page edges of the closed book) have darkened; internally, there is a vertical crease down the middle of the issues from handling; the binding is split at a number of places where the book was over-opened, but the pages are holding; the pages are lightly toned with age and there is some foxing here and there; deaccessioned from the "Mennonite Historical Library, Harleysville, Pennsylvania", as stamped on the front and rear free endpapers, and the bottom margin of the first issue, (there is also the handwritten word "dup." at the top of the front free endpaper, denoting this copy as a duplicate); there is an early previous owner's signature at the top of the front free endpaper; otherwise the issues are complete, bright, clean, and unmarked.

This bound collection of 24 complete issues from 1903-1904, printed in the German Fraktur of the Mennonites / Anabaptists. A rare and historic look at Bethel College, Kansas.

KLOPFENSTEIN FAMILY RECORD: The CHRONOLOGY of the DESCENDANTS of MICHAEL KLOPFENSTEIN, 1757-1925. Compiled and Published by John Henry Klopfenstein, Grabill, Indiana.

This is a bound photocopy of the work first published in 1926, undated but likely reproduced and bound by a family member circa 1970.

This bound reproduction is likely one of only three copies. There is a handwritten prelim page that states: "KLOPFENSTEIN / 3 Copies / 68 pages" along with some instructions on how to photocopy the book; and a page at the end with the handwritten word "END".

Hardcovers, gilt title on the spine, 6.5x8.5 inches, photocopied inner pages printed on one side only, 68 pages.

GOOD condition: The covers have a few small spots and some light soiling; internally the pages have the usual early copy machine type smudges, lines and marks, but remain bright, clean and clear.

A solid, presentable copy.

DAS SIEBENTHAL REVISITED: TALES of the PEOPLE of the SEVEN VALLEYS of PENNSYLVANIA, by Armand Gladfelter. Published by Mehl Ad-Associates, York, Pennsylvania, [1981].

and

DAS SIEBENTHAL TALES, by Armand Gladfelter. Published by Mehl Ad-Associates, York, Pennsylvania, [1983].

TWO VOLUMES being sold together.

Both volumes are SIGNED and INSCRIBED by the AUTHOR on the front free endpaper. One volume also signed by Dorothy Henry Gladfelter, the author's wife.

Das Siebenthal Revisited is INSCRIBED: "To our pastor / Rev. Joseph Hilbert / St. Rose of Lima Church / York, Penna. / Oct. 4 - 1981 / Armand Gladfelter / Dorothy Henry Gladfelter".

Das Siebenthal Tales is INSCRIBED: "To Rev. Joseph Hilbert / Armand Gladfelter".

Hardcovers, red cloth covered boards titled in gilt on the front cover and spine, 6x9 inches, 473 and 265 pages respectively.

Both volumes are Ex-Library and have library ink stamps on the front and rear endpapers, a shelving number written on the front free endpaper, and a card pocket on the rear free endpaper. There is a "Withdrawn" stamp on the card pocket of both volumes, and the library ink stamps on the front free endpapers have been covered with a blank white mailing label.

Ex-lib aside the books are in GOOD condition, the covers have the ghost of a sticker at the bottom of the spine and at the bottom margin of the front cover, there is sunning to the spines, and a bit of shelf wear to the bottom edges; there is light soiling to the page edges; internally the pages are tight, bright, clean and clear. Very presentable copies, even being ex-lib.

RARE set of the two books. Das Siebenthal Revisited is especially scarce.

About ARMAND GLADFELTER and DOROTHY HENRY GLADFELTER (from a 2017 article in the York Dispatch):

******A former Seven Valleys couple left millions after their deaths to help local students attend York College. Dorothy and Armand Gladfelter's bequest is providing more than $3.2 million to fund scholarships for York County students.

Armand Gladfelter was president of A.C. Henry Inc. for 17 years and a vice president of the Spring Grove Area school board. He was also a well known local historian who wrote books on the Seven Valleys Area.

Dorothy Gladfelter served as president of the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association and was a member of the York Historical Society. She taught piano for 72 years.

Armand Gladfelter died in 1998 at age 83. Dorothy Gladfelter died in 2016 at age 98.

"The Gladfelters were York County people, born and bred, and loved everything about it, including York College," said Bob Iosue, former president of York College. "The level of their bequest is an expression of their love of York County."******

About Rev. Joseph Hilbert, to whom the books are inscribed: (from a 2012 article in the LNP - a Lancaster Newspaper):

******Joseph Hilbert, 85, a priest at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, said he never thought of taking another path in life. He attended St. Charles College at age 16, then went on to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia.

Hilbert, who recently celebrated 60 years of ordination, was a principal for 10 years at Lebanon Catholic High School. He then moved to Bishop McDevitt in Harrisburg for three years. He worked with migrant Mexican farm workers from 1981 until 2002, when he retired at age 75 and came back to St. Joseph's, his home parish, to be close to his family.******

So much love for York County and Seven Valleys!

INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS PLEASE NOTE: This lot of two books will require additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the charges and be able to accept or reject them before payment is taken. Thanks!