35. [Children’s Book Writers]. A collection of 26 letters many with personal illustrations by famed children’s book writers including Eleanor Estes, Enerest H. Shepard, and E.B. White. Highlights include:

Estes, Eleanor. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, New York, 22 May 1967, on personal stationery with a colored illustration; with original envelope. Writing about fond memories of Charles Dickens and reading “The Old Curiosity Shop” that cured me of being frightened of thunderstorms. At the first rumble of a coming storm I’d pull “The Old Curosity Shop” from its place with all the other green-bound Dickens’ novels with this funny Cruikshank drawings, and I’d curl up in my green Morris chair and lose myself and my fears in that empowering story.

Rodman, Maria Wojciechowska. Typed letter signed, 1 page, New York, 1967, on personal stationery; with original envelope. An interesting take on novels for teens, Rodman claims she always deplored the fact that books published for kids 12 to 15 were aimed at either idiots or retarded kids. “Juvenile” authors were my pet peeves and still are in spite of the fact that I’ve become one. Particular classics include Wuthering Heights, Les Miserables, Crime and Punishment and Catcher in the Rye.

White, E.B. Two Typed letter signed, 1 page, 14 April 1966, on The New Yorker stationery; with original envelope. Having a difficult time remembering what he read he recalls doing very little reading from 1912-1919, being busy with other matters. My house was not full of good books and my trips to the library were infrequent. Nature and animal books were a favorite and the works of Mark Twain.

Shepard, Ernest H. Five autograph letters signed, 1-2 pages each, 6 September 1967 to January 1970, on personal stationery; with original envelopes. Illustrator of Winnie the Pooh writes numerous letters recalling classics such as Alice in Wonderland and the works of Charles Dickens. The final letter wishes Christmas wishes to Evelyn Byrne complete with a sketch of a quintessential outdoor country Christmas scene.

Travers, P.L. Two typed letters signed and one typed letter signed by her secretary, 1 page each, 18 March 1966 to 16 November 1967; with original envelopes. Creator of Mary Poppins reminds us that Mary Poppins is not just for children and that in fact her lawyer, a man in his middle 50’s, keeps Mary Poppins at his bedside because he says it helps him to solve his clients’ problems. She goes on to mention Beatrix Potter and Grimm’s Fairly Tales as favorites.

The collection is complete with Robert Anglund, James Daugherty, Lois Lenski, William Pene du Bois, Marguerite Henry, Tasha Tudor, Cleveland Amory and Joan Walsh Anglund who adds tiny illustrations on petite notecards. $3,000 - $5,000