This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2024
[ANNEMANN] HOLDEN, Max (1884 – 1949). Four Letters Regarding Annemann, his death and The Jinx. [New York], Jan – Feb. 1942. On his own magic shop stationery, Holden writes to J.G. Thompson, Jr. regarding the suicide of Annemann on January 14, 1942: “You will be surprised to hear that Ted Annemann is dead.” He goes about business matters regarding The Jinx and concludes with, “Poor Ted and he suffered mentally for the last year. That is he was not happy and contented.” The second letter contains many intimate details of Annemann’s last days spread over three single-spaced pages, including this line regarding Annemann’s final wishes, “…seemingly Ted had expressed a desire that all his notes should be destroyed. Now his brother was down for a few days and they did destroy a lot of stuff.” Holden also discusses Annemann’s marital strife and personal problems at length: “His wife left him and they had been always fighting and life was really miserable for them both.” He also details Annemann’s last day, and the discovery of his body: “Ted’s wife came home at 6:15 and found Ted on the couch with a bag over his head a[nd] a pipe from gas stove under the bag. He passed over about 4 p.m. No notes or anything to explain.” The final two letters touch on disposition and sale of rights to The Jinx among other transactional matters, and include Holden’s take on a new periodical on the market: “I don’t like this new Phoenix that Walter Gibson and Bruce Elliot is putting out. They should have waited a little while.” Each letter on printed 8vo Holden’s Magic Shop stationery, and SIGNED by Holden. A significant grouping of letters from Annemann’s friend and confidant with revealing and important content.