Lee, Harper (1960) ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, UK first edition + signed letter (ALS)

Harper Lee (1960) ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, UK first edition and first printing, published by Heinemann. Included is a handwritten letter addressed to her long-time friend Bruce Higgison on Harper lee’s personal stationary; the envelope is included. Bruce Higgison was an ornithologist (how apt!) and her neighbour in New York. The letter is a double sided page 5.25″ x 7.5″, signed as ‘Nelle’. Harper Lee and Bruce would correspond frequently and Bruce would keep her up to date on the latest gossip. The letter was sent from her hometown, Monroeville, Alabama. The message reads: “12 June (I think!) My dear Bruce: The birds are terrific  – I can’t believe that you are raising them out at Montauk – you are so good to me that I wept tears when I got your last bankrupting mailing – you are without a doubt the most authentic friend I have – here + in  NY – Believe me I am grateful to you and celebrate your kindness It’s Hebrew 13.8 here, so no more from your most grateful Nelle”. A very nice letter which reveals a great deal about the reclusive Harper Lee: her loneliness, religiosity and interest in ornithology; themes all encountered in her landmark novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’.

Condition: the letter is fine. Book is very good in a good dust jacket. The book has no previous owner’s inscriptions whatsoever. Boards are clean with a minor shelf wear. Top edge foxed, and slight foxing to paste downs and endpapers.  The dust jacket is good, it is not price clipped, spine slightly faded and edge wear as pictured. Reverse of wrapper shows yellowing.

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ was adapted as a motion picture in 1962 starring Gregory Peck who was immortalised with his role as Atticus and won the Academy Award (Peck and Lee became life-long friends). The film won two more Oscars in the Screenplay and Art Direction categories.