LETTER: 6 TLS and 2 ALS to her agent and a journalist.
Jeannette Marks to Her Agent, Howard F. Randolph
and to Journalist Henry A. Phillips
1909-1910
Marks, Jeannette. Six Typed letters signed and two autograph letters signed, on printed letterhead of “South Hadley, Massachusetts,” to her agent, Howard F. Randolph and to the journalist, Henry A. Phillips, revealing Marks’s views of her early but developing writing career; as follows:
Typed letter signed, “Jeanette Marks” to “Sir,” December 16, 1909; creased from mailing; recto only; signed in black.
Marks writes three paragraphs to Randolph at the New York City Literary Aid Bureau in regards T.B. Wells’s recommendation that she contact him as a potential literary agent. She writes, “As I am now giving my time entirely to writing I feel that an agency would be an advantage to me and I should be glad to deal with you, for I liked your letter and its straightforward statements.”
Autographed letter signed, “Jeanette Marks” to “Mr. Philips,” December 24, 1909; creased from mailing; recto only.
Marks writes a full-page autograph letter to Henry A. Phillips on her decision to work with Randolph: “I value your opinion of M. Randolph’s work and intend, as a result of your recommendation, to begin my new Year by sending a couple of short stories to the Bureau… Mr. Randolph is, I know young, but … that does not trouble me, for I am not ‘old’ myself in my work, and for some reason I cannot explain I feel that Mr. Randolph will be a greater service to me than the more experienced agencies.”
Typed letter signed, “Jeanette Marks” to “Mr. Randolph,” December 29, 1909; creased from mailing; recto and verso; signature slightly smudged.
A lengthy typed letter – covering the first page and spilling over to a second – following-up with Randolph and enclosing two stories (not present): “Harry at Last” and “The Brothers’ Wedding” (the latter “a brand new story, just completed”). She describes her view of her working relationship with her new agent:
I take it for granted that it is your object to make as much money as possible from the stories you place and that therefore you get as high prices as you can. I shall be interested to see what that will be. I hope that the connection may prove profitable to us both and that we may be able to continue it.
She goes on to tell him of the kind words Phillips had for her work:
Another gentleman to whom I wrote said that you were “too young” to have “connections” and recommended me to deal with Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Moyle. However, I am sending to you, for I think it a good thing to be young with all the energy and enthusiasm that means, and, too, Mr. Phillip’s letter made a great impression on me.
Typed letter signed, “Jeanette Marks” to “Mr. Randolph,” January 3, 1910; creased from folding; slightly rubbed; recto only.
Together with:
Four newspaper clippings related to Marks’s work.
Every Evening Wilmington, “Reviews of New Books.” [April 5, 1909].
1 leaf; adhered to larger sheet, with date written in pencil; “R” written across review in black; creased from folding; slightly worn but clear.
One-column review of “Through Welsh Doorways,” in which the reviewer writes that the book “will tend to give a clearer insight into the lives and characters of some Welsh folk than many people have entertained.”
Portland Pres. ND.
1 small clipping; “Portland Press” written at top in pencil, with “R” written across review in black.
Short review of “Through Welsh Doorways,” which the reviewer calls an “altogether unique and unusual collection of short stories…pathetic and picturesque, and there is always a gay little strain running through the sadness.”
Cleveland News. ND.
1 small clipping; adhered to larger sheet, with “Cleveland News” written in blue pencil; with “R” written across review.
Short review of “Through Welsh Doorways,” compares Marks’ Welsh stories with the “Scotch stories of Watson and Barrie – and that is high praise.
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