Wilder, Laura Ingalls (1867-1957) These Happy Golden Years, and Two Autograph Letters Signed.

Description:

Wilder, Laura Ingalls (1867-1957) These Happy Golden Years, and Two Autograph Letters Signed. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1943. Stated first edition, octavo, binding shaken, tears to cloth, worn; [together with] autograph letters addressed to Mary Phraner and her mother of Brooklyn, New York, signed November 12, 1942 and May 10, 1943, each with holograph envelope, letters in good condition.

"My dear Mary, I am glad that you and your sisters like my books. I have written the 'one more book' you want to finish the story. It will be published this month and its title is, These Happy Golden Years. I hope you get a copy for Christmas and that you like it as well as the others. Sourdough was really a substitute for sour milk and was used in cooking just as sour milk was. We had no baking powder in those days and used soda with sour milk for sour dough. To start it, mother mixed warm water and flour a pinch of salt and a little sugar making it about as thick as gravey. This was kept in a warm place until it soured. It was then used as sour milk to make the biscuit but a little of it was left to help start the next batch souring. Enough more water and flour, sugar and salt were added to make enough for use again. We used it only when had no milk, which of course is better. With love, Sincerely yours, Laura Ingalls Wilder."
"My Dear Mrs. Phraner, Your curiosity is justified but your guess is wrong. Rose Wilder Lane is my daughter. Our only child. She wrote Let the Hurricane Roar before I had planned the Little House series. While her descriptions of storms and grasshoppers are true to facts her story is fiction. She had of course learned of those things from us. Her use of the family names and characters come naturally. My series of stories as you know are literally true, names, dates, places, every anecdote and much of the conversations are historically and actually true. When you read anything written by Rose Wilder Lane, just think of her as my little girl grown up. Have you seen her latest book, The History of Freedom? It was published in January. I am glad you like my Golden Years. Sister Carrie writes one that after she read the book it seemed that she was back in those times again and all that had happened since was a dream. I considered it a great tribute to the truth of the picture I had drawn. I hope you will read some of Rose's books. She is a better writer than I am though our style of writing is very similar. Please give my love to Mary. With kindest regards, Sincerely yours, Laura Ingalls Wilder."
Estimate $600-800


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