American author who developed the “hard-boiled” school of detective fiction (1894-1961). Autograph letter signed (“Dash” and “Cpl. S.D. Hammett, 3118358”. Alaska. 4to. 1 p.
$ 4,824 / 4.500 €
(90916)
To Florence (Morash): “There won’t be much news in this except that in course of fidgeting my way around the world I’ve moved again. The only change in address is a new APO number #980 instead of 944. The rest stays the same. The new station is fairly rugged, but I think I’m going to like it. That’s all that’s news with me. What makes with you? And Paul? I’ll try to manufacture more – though possibly bogus – news in a day or two and write you more lengthily and – I hope – more interestingly.
Meanwhile, my best to that man and to you my love – and write. Love, Dash Cpl. S.D. Hammett 14th Sig. Serv. Det. APO #980, c/o … Seattle, Washn” After leaving school at 13, Hammett worked for the Pinkerton National Detective Agency and served in the U.S. Army Motor Ambulance Corps during World War I, where he contracted influenza and, later, tuberculosis. Inspired by his experiences at Pinkerton, Hammett embarked on a writing career from his home in San Francisco. Stories written in his characteristic “hard-boiled” style, featuring an anonymous detective, The Continental Op, were published in Black Mask magazine throughout the 1920s. Red Harvest, Hammett’s first novel, was published in 1929, followed by The Maltese Falcon, The Dain Curse, The Glass Key, and, in 1934, The Thin Man, his final novel. In addition to a literary career, Hammett devoted himself to political activities, including support of the Communist Party which, along with his age and health, made it difficult to re-enlist in the Army following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Persistence eventually led to enlistment in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in the summer of 1942, and by the following year he was dispatched to the Aleutian Islands. After briefly working in the cryptanalysis code division, Hammett was transferred to Adak, to compile a two-year history of the Aleutian Campaign. In January 1944, Brigadier General Harry Thompson chose Hammett to edit a new newspaper. “The Adakian, with a maximum circulation of 6,000 copies, quickly became ‘the Bible of the Aleutians’” (Hammett: A Life at the Edge, Nolan). Hammett toured the Aleutians that fall, returning in mid-December to Alaska and great critical acclaim following Raymond Chandler’s praise of his work in the pages of the Atlantic Monthly. By late summer of 1945, Hammett had left Adak to edit Army Up North and in September, after three years of army service, he returned to civilian life in New York. Following World War II, Hammett continued his left-wing political activities, which eventually led to his imprisonment for refusing to reveal the names of contributors to the Civil Rights Congress Bail Fund. His testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee, led to his blacklisting and financial difficulties. In declining health, Hammett spent the last years of his life cared for by his longtime lover, playwright Lillian Hellman. Hammett’s final resting place is Arlington National Cemetery. Very neatly penned. Folded and creased with some light toning along the center fold, otherwise very fine..
American author who developed the “hard-boiled” school of detective fiction (1894-1961). Autograph Letter Signed, "Hammett," to Isadore Gottlieb. "Alaska" [Cold Bay?], 1 September 1943. 1 1/2 pages, 4to, written on two sheets; minor loss to small area at upper edge, folds. With the original envelope.
$ 2,680 / 2.500 €
(91912)
To Isadore Gottlieb, conveying news of common friends at Fort Monmouth in NJ, where Hammett was formerly stationed. ". . . I've been up here about a month, and so far the going isn't bad. My present spot isn't what you'd call conveniently located in relation to women and whisky, but I guess you can't have everything . . . . But can you drink double hookers of fresh air with a beer chaser? I don't know, I've never tried. "Once in a while I get a spot of news from Monmouth. My bunch seems to have left Sea Girt for Wood again.
Treloar is still flubbing the dub and dodging shipment. . . . Monash beat the game and got out of the army with an honorable discharge. He's now happily--so Florence writes me--doing radio programs for the O[ffice of] W[ar] I[nformation]. . . . ". . . Rumors about what's going to happen to us float through the air a dozen a minute since Kiska came back to us--but it's a long time since I've wasted any ink copying down latrinograms. . . .".