Sell or Auction Your Dashiell Hammett Signed Photo for up to Over $4,000 or More at Nate D. Sanders Auctions
FREE VALUATION. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Dashiell Hammett signed photo that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
Free Appraisal, Auction or Sell Your Dashiell Hammett Signed Photo
Below is a recent realized price for a Dashiell Hammett signed photo. We at Nate D. Sanders Auctions can obtain up to this amount or more for you:
Dashiell Hammett Signed Photo. Sold for Over $4,000.
Here are some Dashiell Hammett signed items that we sold:
Hammett’s “The Thin Man” Inscribed 1st Edition
Scarce signed and inscribed copy of “The Thin Man” by Dashiell Hammett. New York: Alfred A. Knopf: 1934. First edition, first printing with red variant dust jacket with front flap reviews. Boldly inscribed, “For Dan and Peggy / with my best regards / Dashiell Hammett / New York / Sept. 23, 1934.” A rare copy of Hammett’s hardboiled detective novel which became the basis for the successful film series starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. Minor fading and soiling to decorative green cloth boards (oxidation of green dye that was used in first edition printings has resulted in light green cloth boards). Moderate wear to unclipped dust jacket. Overall, very good condition. Sold for $9,600.
Dashiell Hammett “Thin Man” Signed Book
“The Thin Man” signed and inscribed by Dashiell Hammett. New York: Alfred A. Knopf: 1934. First edition, first printing rare book. Hardcover sans dustjacket. Blue ink inscription on ffep reads: “For Paul Hollister / with best regards / Dashiell Hammett / New York / January 6, 1934.” First printing copy of the very first in Hammett’s iconic series of Nick and Nora detective books, which in turn inspired various movie adaptations, including those starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. Book, measuring 5″ x 7.5″, runs 260pp. Inscription bold and legible, but suffers slightly from ink bleed. Cloth boards feature a stylish theater mask printed in blue ink on the front cover and excellent red and blue spine design. A large but light stain on the front cover and some shelf wear to bottom edges, very mild interior toning, but overall bright. An excellent copy in very good condition. Sold for $9,433.
We also sold the following autographs from authors:
Exceptional Ernest Hemingway autograph letter and signed envelope, one day after catching the 500 lb. marlin in Bimini that inspired ”The Old Man and the Sea”, apocryphal until this letter which documents for the first time in Hemingway’s own words not only the size of the marlin, but also its attack by sharks, similar to the plot of Hemingway’s novel. Letter is accompanied by a photo of Hemingway and his friend, Henry Strater, with the half-eaten marlin. Dated 8 May (identified as 1935 by the “Hemingway Letters Project”), Hemingway writes to Erl Roman, the fishing editor of the ”Miami Herald”, describing the catch in detail, the attack by the sharks, and also mentioning that he is sending some photos to Roman. Letter in pencil reads in part,
”Will make this very short on acct. Bill Fagen leaving May 8 / Dear Erl: Yesterday May 7 Henry H. STRATER, widely known painter of OGUNQUIT Maine, Pres. Maine Tuna Club, fishing with me on Pilar landed Blue Marlin which weighed 500 lbs on tested scales after all of meat below anal fin had been torn away by sharks when fish was brought to gaff– Had him ready to take in when sharks hit him– Fish 12 feet 8 1/2 inches– Tail 48 inch spread–girth 62 in. (will send all other exact measurements when have chance to use Steel tape on him). Fish hooked off Bimini, hooked in corner of mouth, never layted, jumped 18 times clear, brought to boat in an hour such a heavy fish jumped hell out of himself. We worked him fast our system. Had him at boat when shark hit him. Strater has football knee, went out of joint, had hell with it, we wouldnt handline fish, he got him up himself, in one hour 40 minutes, we got him over the roller after Some lifting boy, all blood drained, meat gone below anal fin to tail, but fish completely intact, Fred Parke is mounting it–“
Two page autograph letter is accompanied by an envelope signed in pencil, addressed in Hemingway’s hand to ”Erl Roman Esq. / Miami Herald / Miami / Fla.” and signed by Hemingway on the verso, ”E. Hemingway / Yacht Pilar / Bimini / B.W.I.”
Importantly, Hemingway’s account of the marlin catch differs from other anecdotal stories of it, one of which describes Hemingway using a ”machine gun” on the shark, which purportedly attracted more sharks to the feeding frenzy. It’s likely Hemingway left out this detail, as Strater would blame its use on attracting more sharks to the marlin, depriving Strater of a world record marlin catch. “Old Man and the Sea” has been noted by Hemingway scholars as most likely inspired by this particular 7 May 1935 trip, including Michael Culver in his biography “Sparring in the Dark: Hemingway, Strater and The Old Man and the Sea”.
Letter measures 8.5” x 11”, envelope measures approximately 6.25” x 3.625” and photo, which is a modern reproduction, measures 7.75” x 9.75”. Letter is uniformly toned with some chipping along edges, and small piece of tape at very top. Envelope has some foxing and torn edge from opening. Both items are in very good condition. A remarkable letter in Hemingway’s own words of a legendary fishing adventure that inspired one of his most popular, Pulitzer-Prize winning novels. Sold for $28,000.
Ayn Rand first edition, signed copy of “Anthem.”
Hardcover with dustjacket. Caldwell, Idaho: The Caxton Printers, LTD.: 1953. Copy given to Nathaniel Branden, her purported protege and lover. Signed and inscribed by Rand in blue ink, “To Barbara and Nathan – – who are now fully my children – to mark your first six-months wedding anniversary – Ayn / July 14, 1953.” Book, which measures 6″x 8.5″, runs 105pp. Thinly-veiled sci-fi-ish allegory supports Rand’s classic Objectivist thesis regarding the subjugation of the ego for the greater whole of society. Dust jacket in near fine condition with minor chips at top. Slight cloth board spotting and very mild toning to interior. A near-perfect signed Ayn Rand first edition copy. Our most expensive Ayn Rand first edition that we have handled. Sold for $22,500.
J.K. Rowling Signed First Edition, First Printing Harry Potter Signed Book — “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” — With PSA/DNA COA
Extremely rare J.K. Rowling signed first edition, first printing Harry Potter signed book: “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” Bloomsbury: London: 1997. The author signs the dedication page “To Bryony / with best wishes / JK Rowling”. A true first edition, it features the number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page, and the first printing misprint on page 53 of “1 wand” listed twice, as well as the Wendy Cooling cover quote: “A terrific read and a stunning first novel”. Indeed, this first of Rowling’s wildly successful Harry Potter book series was published later in the U.S. under the title “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Its film adaption became one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. Issued as a paperback, novel runs 223pp. and measures 5″ x 8″. Toning to leaves and edges. Rubbing to spine edges and creasing to hinges, else near fine. With PSA/DNA COA. Sold for $17,000.
Incredible Six Page Autograph Letter Twice Signed by J.D. Salinger — Mentions Short Stories “I’m Crazy” Which Was the Early Draft of Chapters 1, 2 & 22 From “Catcher” & Narrated by Holden Caulfield — & “Boy Standing in Tennessee,” Original, Unpublished Short Story That References Holden
Virtually unheard of six-page J.D. Salinger autograph letter signed “Jerry” and, at head of first page, “Cpl. J.D. Salinger.” Written from France while Salinger served in WWII to Terry (Mrs. Frances Thierolf “Terry” Glassmoyer), Salinger’s friend from Ursinus College and inspiration for his literary character Franny Glass in “Franny and Zooey.” Headed by Salinger “August 7 [1944] / Cpl. J.D. Salinger, 3232520 / C.I.C. [Counter Intelligence Corps] Section, 4th Inf. Div. / APO #4, c/o PM, N.Y.C.”, just a few months after D-Day where Salinger stormed Utah Beach and fought continually for nearly a month. By July his regiment would lose almost 2,000 men out of 3,080. Letter is in near fine condition on six separate pages measuring 6″ x 9″. In this letter, Salinger reminisces about their school days, meeting Ernest Hemingway (who’s “extremely nice and completely unpatronizing”), his upcoming stories to be published and war. In small part, “Dear Terry…I’ve been in France since D-Day…Am scared stiff constantly and can’t remember ever having been a civilian…Jerry”. Also in this letter, Salinger reacts to Terry telling him how Mary Helen Stoudt, a fellow classmate, felt about him; in the 12 December 1938 issue of his college newspaper, “The Ursinus Weekly,” freshman Jerome Salinger reviewed the Senior Play, mentioning M.H. Stoudt’s performance: “On the evening of December tenth, the Senior Class, under the direction of Dr. and Mrs. Reginald S. Sibbald, offered ‘Lady Of Letters,’ a three-act farce by Turner Bullock Mary Helen Stoudt filled the insignificant role of Daughter Susie to its scant capacity”. Regarding the stories that Salinger mentions, his short story “Elaine” appeared in the March-April 1945 issue of “Story” magazine, not in late 1944 as he expected. “Boy Standing in Tennessee” was never published and its existence is unknown. It is said to be the original version of “This Sandwich Has No Mayonnaise” which was published in the October 1945 issue of “Esquire.” In it, a character named Vincent Caulfield mentions his brother Holden and his sister Phoebe. “I’m Crazy” was in “Colliers” on 22 December 1945, not S.E.P., (“Saturday Evening Post”) as Salinger had thought. In “I’m Crazy,” Salinger used Holden Caulfield as the narrator. The story included an early draft of portions of chapters 1, 2, and 22 of “The Catcher in the Rye.” “Two Lonely Men” and “The Children’s Echelon” were never published. “The Children’s Echelon” is a story told by an 18-year-old girl, Bernice Herndon, through her diary. In one entry, she mentions that she loves to watch children at the merry-go-round just like Holden Caulfield in “The Catcher in the Rye.” Accompanied by copy of original envelope postmarked 9 August 1944. Long J.D. Salinger autograph letter signed. Sold for $14,500.
Lot of 38 letters signed by ”To Kill a Mockingbird” novelist Harper Lee, many with exceptional content, including Barack Obama’s presidency, Eudora Welty’s criticism of Lee for only writing one book, defense of ”To Kill a Mockingbird”, Lee’s Southern heritage, recollections of her father, Christianity and her apparent atheism, a funny story of Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier & Helen Keller, and even making fun of Hitler. Lot includes 26 autograph letters signed ”Harper”, six autograph letters signed with the initial ”H”, four autograph notes signed ”Harper”, a Christmas card signed ”Harper”, and one autograph note unsigned. Most letters are on her personal stationery and all but one include the original envelope in Lee’s hand. Lee writes the letters to her friend Felice Itzkoff of New York, whom Lee affectionately calls ”Clipper” as in Yankee Clipper. The letters span from December 2005 to May 2010, with unique content excerpted below:
In a lovely letter dated 20 January 2009, the day of Barack Obama’s inauguration, Lee writes, ”On this Inauguration Day I count my blessings…I’m also thinking of another friend, Greg Peck, who was a good friend of LBJ. Greg said to him, ‘Do you suppose we will live to see a black President?’ LBJ said, ‘No, but I wish her well’…Harper”. In a letter dated 18 April 2009, Lee writes of her affection for Eudora Welty, even though Welty obliquely criticized her: ”…alas, I never had the privilege of meeting Miss Welty – You know I’m not a ‘tuft hunter,’ ie, seek out ‘names’ to meet – it’s one of the downers of life that N never got to meet her. She was the only person I ever ‘wanted to meet.’ I once heard her say something about ‘Harper Lee’s case’ – talking about one-novel writers. I could have told her: as it turned out, I didn’t need to write another one – much xxx, H.” In a letter dated 13 May 2009, Lee recounts a funny story of her friend Vivien Leigh and Leigh’s ex-husband Laurence Olivier who inadvertently insulted Helen Keller: ”My Helen Keller story is second-hand, but it comes from good authority. I was acquainted with Vivien Leigh – long divorced from Lord Olivier. Nevertheless her chief topic of conversation was ‘Larry.’ (She had a mine of good stories.) He was ‘on’ one night and was considerably annoyed by the ‘noise’ coming from two people in the audience. ‘Somebody making slapping sounds-can’t the management put a stop to it?’ / ‘If you want to put a stop to Helen Keller’s enjoyment of your program, have her interpreter be quiet,’ he was told. ‘It is sometimes rather noisy, when things go as they should.’ Of course, Olivier melted, begged Miss Keller’s pardon, and gave the rest of his performance in her honor, seemingly unaware of the ‘noise.’ / Vivien was a character and I loved her. She, after he left her, ‘adored Larry,’ but I understand was not very nice to him beforehand – it was so like her! Much love, H.” In a letter dated 14 May 2009 (”I think”), Lee writes of her friend Horton Foote, the Academy Award winning screenwriter for ”To Kill a Mockingbird”, who had just died. She compares Foote to her own father, in part, ”…The service seemed to catch Horton in full. If he was your friend, it meant you had another ‘best friend.’ I am so proud to say that he was my friend. I loved him with all my heart and shall miss him for as long as I am aware of anything. I never knew anybody like him except for my father, they had many traits in common. He was a great gentleman, and he did look like God! / The Foote children will have a lot to live up to. Their mother was as influential in their growing up as their father…There is so much evil in the world today that I guess people don’t recognize plain goodness. I wish ‘heaven’ were true. Much love, Harper”. Sold for $12,500.
Ernest Hemingway Signed First Limited Edition of ”A Farewell to Arms” — Scarce in Original Slipcase
Ernest Hemingway signed limited first edition of his post-WWI classic, ”A Farewell to Arms”, housed in its original limited edition slipcase, with numbers matching. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1929. Published on 27 September 1929 in a limited edition of 510 numbered copies, this being #214, signed boldly ”Ernest Hemingway” in black fountain pen. In matching slipcase with Charles Scribner’s Sons plate, again listing the limited edition as #214. Measures 6.5” x 9.5”. Some chipping to seams of slipcase, overall in very good condition. Chipping to spine label, otherwise book is near fine. Sold for $10,313.
Scarce 1951 J.D. Salinger Autograph Letter Signed Regarding “Catcher in the Rye” — “I think it’s delightful that you identify me with Holden”
Amazing J.D. Salinger autograph letter signed dated 8 September 1951 thanking Frances (Terry) Thierolf and her husband Tom for their positive review of his new novel “Catcher in the Rye.” Thierolf was a former Ursinus College classmate of Salinger and inspiration for his literary character Franny Glass in “Franny & Zooey.” Written when he was 32, shortly after the publication of “Catcher in the Rye.” In full, “Dear Terry & Tom, Terry, I’m so glad you like the book and that you bothered to write to me about it. Thank you, too, Tom. I think it’s delightful that you identify me with Holden, Terry. I don’t think I’ll be turning up at Wanamaker’s, but maybe I can drop by some other time. Any way, best to you both. It’s fi[ne] that you sound happy. Yrs, Je[rry].” Includes original New York stamped 6″ x 4.5″ envelope dated 8 September 1951 with back flap signed in pen “Salinger / 300 E. 57th St. / N.Y., N.Y.” Envelope was addressed by Salinger to “Mr. & Mrs. T. Glassmoyer / North Hills Ave., R.F.D. / Willow Grove, Pa.” Overall very good condition. Single page letter on JDS stationery measures 5.75″ x 8.75″ and has torn upper right and lower right corner eliminating two letters of a word and the “rry” in Salinger’s signature. Incredibly scarce handwritten item connecting Salinger to his famous protaganist Holden. Sold for $10,000.
Louisa May Alcott signed ”Little Women,” published by Roberts Brothers: Boston 1880. Impossible to find, the author’s signature within her masterpiece reads: ”L.M. Alcott” upon the fly-leaf. An Alcott signed instance of ”Little Women” has not been sold at auction in over 4 decades. First published in 1869, Alcott’s spellbinding novel about four sisters coming of age in the Civil War era has since become a classic. This edition is bound in hunter green cloth boards with gilt and black lettering and design. All edges gilt. Measures 7” x 8.5”. Surface loss to exterior corners and edges. Cracking to interior front hinge, with detached front free endpaper. A bookplate affixed to the front pastedown indicates this volume was gifted to the Brookline Public Library in 1917. In addition, the library’s perforated label appears at the bottom of the title page. A news clipping of Alcott’s obituary has been affixed to integral blanks. A label affixed to the rear pastedown reads: ”This book is for use in the library building only” and a barcode label has been partially removed from the rear free endpaper, else very good. With PSA/DNA COA. Sold for $8,908.
Ernest Hemingway Signed “Men Without Women” — Dedicated in His Hand to the Son of Renowned Actress Helen Hayes
Ernest Hemingway signed “Men Without Women”, Charles Scribner’s Sons: New York: 1955. Hemingway’s autograph dedication to the front free endpaper is to the son of actress Helen Hayes and reads in full: “To Jim MacArthur / With best wishes from his friend / Ernest Hemingway / Finca Vigia / San Francisco de Paula / Cuba”. Hemingway’s short story collection is bound in oatmeal cloth boards with gilt lettering and black print to spine. Measures 5.25″ x 7.5″. Cocking to spine, mild sunning to backstrip and wear to spine ends, else near fine. From the estate of Helen Hayes. Sold for $8,160.
J.K. Rowling Autograph in a Harry Potter Book “Quidditch Through the Ages” — Extremely Scarce Signed
Very scarce Harry Potter book with a J.K. Rowling autograph: “Quidditch Through the Ages.” Bloomsbury: London: 2001. The J.K. Rowling autograph is upon the title page: “J.K. Rowling autograph”. The simulated Hogwarts library book is mentioned in several of the Harry Potter novels. Rowling wrote the whimsical book for Comic Relief, a U.K. charity which received this signed copy by Rowlings. Included in the lot is a 29 April 2001 London “Sunday Times” describing the contest and a facsimile of the letter to the winner. The 4.25″ x 7″ paperback is in fine condition. Dark blue J.K. Rowling autograph. Sold for $7,951.
True Ayn Rand first edition, first printing copy of “We the Living” signed and inscribed by the acclaimed author.
Macmillan: New York: 1936. Rand inscribes the front free endpaper: “To Mary Virginia Inholes [?] — with the very best wishes of the author / Ayn Rand / June 17, 1936” with an excellent, clear signature. One of only 3,000 copies printed, “We the Living” is Rand’s first published book, and considered one of her earliest public statements against Communism. The book is Rand’s closest attempt at autobiography as she mentions in the foreword, and tells the story of life in post-revolutionary Russia. With all first edition points present, including “Published, April 1936″ on copyright page. Bound in beige cloth boards with turquoise lettering. Pages are clean and binding is tight, with only toning to edges and endpapers. Lacking a dustjacket, book measures 5.5″ x 8” and is in near fine condition. Rare Ayn Rand first edition. Sold for $3,800.
Truman Capote ALS — 1959 — “…did you know that I am being sued for $800,000 – how’s that for a laugh? – by some nutty woman who claim’s she is the girl in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’…”
Autograph letter signed by Truman Capote to his Uncle Seabon regarding a lawsuit over “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Dated 30 October 1959, letter reads in part: “…I am so very sorry that the brokerage venture has not worked out satisfactorily…I wish I could send you five hundred dollars – not as a loan, but a gift; for I owe you that and much more. And perhaps, by the first of the year, I will be able to do so. But in the meanwhile I am actually in debt (to the government for back income taxes) and have all the terrible expense of fighting my lawsuit (did you know that I am being sued for $800,000 – how’s that for a laugh? – by some nutty woman who claim’s she is the girl in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’)…I’ve just come out of the hospital; was there two weeks, and have to go back next week for a few days. Nothing too serious; just treatments for an abnormally low blood pressure that leaves me feeling rather rotten on a full-time basis…Love / Truman.” Accompanied by holograph cover signed “Capote”. Composed in blue ink, 2pp. letter on card-style stationery measures 5.25″ x 8.25″. Near fine condition. Sold for $3,034.
Ayn Rand Typed Letter Signed Mentioning “The Fountainhead” — “…Thank you for your letter – and many thanks to your friend, Dale Hart, who recommended THE FOUNTAINHEAD to you…”
Ayn Rand typed letter signed, paired with an early photo of Rand in Hollywood. Letter on Rand’s personal stationery is dated 24 May 1946. She writes to one Rip Reynolds in Pelly, Texas, in full, “Dear Mr. Reynolds: Thank you for your letter – and many thanks to your friend, Dale Hart, who recommended THE FOUNTAINHEAD to you. I am enclosing a printed letter which might interest you. Sincerely, [signed] Ayn Rand”. Single-page letter is attractively matted and framed alongside the photo to an overall size of 21″ x 15″. Items have not been removed from frame for inspection but appear near fine save for creasing and light staining to letter. Sold for $1,954.
FREE VALUATION. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Dashiell Hammett signed photo that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
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