AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS) to his wife

New York, March 1908. Letter. Folds from mailing, still about Fine, with envelope. A three-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED as "Pearl" (Grey was born Pearl Zane Gray) to his wife "Dolly" on three sheets of illustrated New Grand Hotel stationery with envelope postmarked March 1908. Grey discusses his rotten position: "I'm afraid I can't have Outing publish my book until everybody's got good and ready to let me.... And I, like an idiot signed that paper, which legally gives them the right to my photographs. Why didn't you or Murphy see that? If they don't choose to use the story & pictures I can't get the book published at all. It's most damnably sickening. I don't know what to do.... For a measly little hundred dollars I have about queered my chances.... Murphy says it will work out allright [sic]. I hope so, but tonight I can't see anything but black. Will be on the mountain tomorrow." Zane Grey decided to become a writer just five years before this letter when he wrote a fishing story that appeared in RECREATION MAGAZINE. Outing published Grey's third book, THE LAST OF THE PLAINSMEN, in 1908 complete with Grey's photographs. It was based on a trip Grey made out West with Col. "Buffalo" Jones in 1907. This trip was the turning point in Grey's life, but his book about Jones and his experiences in the Grand Canyon was not successful. It would be a few more years before Grey became a success with RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE. An outstanding early letter revealing the torment of a struggling writer.