Typed Letter Signed. Baltimore: May 7th [n.y.].
One horizontal octavo page on personal stationery (“1524 Hollins St./Baltimore.â€) Usual fold lines, one small soil mark, else fine. Matted with two images of Mencken, glazed and framed. Size: 199 x 128 mm. Addressed “Dear Mr. Stearns,â€:
“You are heading for disaster and the academic Zuchthaus. A few weeks ago a high-school teacher in Detroit posted much the same list, and now he is being tried by the Commissioners of Education. The newspapers report that he recommended “Jurgen†and my “Book of Burlesquesâ€, two undoubtedly lewd tomes. If you have the burlesques book turn to “From the memoirs of the Devilâ€. This he offered to virgins of 17 and 18. No wonder the High-School Mothers’ Club complained to the Polizei.
Give me a few days on the poem.
Sincerely yours,
H. L. Mencken.â€
ID:
3188
$
2,500