Jun 25, 2026 10:00 EST
The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
75
Lenny Bruce typed letter signed to a Village bohemian during his obscenity trials, with a manuscript note and drawing
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
BRUCE, LENNY
[New York: February 10, 1963]. One page typed letter signed "Lenny," with a manuscript note and drawing in pencil signed "Love L" to "Helen Pellen;" with typescript envelope addressed to "Elliot" and "from Lenny Bruce" in manuscript, and a black and white photograph of Bruce in 1961 being searched by a police officer laid-in. The letter 11 x 8 1/2 inches (28 x 21.5 cm); photograph 4 1/2 x 6 inches (11.5 x 15.25 cm). Usual folds to letter, toning, creasing and some spotting, envelope worn and soiled; the photograph fine.
"I wish someone could change the tide of my life." A remarkably funny and poignant letter from Lenny Bruce to Helen Elliott during his obscenity trials, with pencil-drawn boxes to the left of each typed sentence and a manuscript note in the margins, including a drawing of a stick figure behind bars. Helen Elliott was a Greenwich Village bohemian known for her love affair with Lucien Carr and friendships with Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg when they were students at Columbia University. From 1956 to 1957, Elliott lived with Helen Weaver across the street from the famed White Horse Tavern. The two were referred to as "The Two Helens" and inspired "The Two Ruths" in Kerouac's 1965 novel Desolation Angels. Bruce writes to her: "Dear Helen Pellen / Your putting me on no! Or don't they publish papers in N.Y. yet still strike. / The ans[wer] is here [stick figure drawing] / I busy trying to stay out of this box. Love L."
Sold for $1,792
Estimated at $300 - $500
Includes Buyer's Premium
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
BRUCE, LENNY
[New York: February 10, 1963]. One page typed letter signed "Lenny," with a manuscript note and drawing in pencil signed "Love L" to "Helen Pellen;" with typescript envelope addressed to "Elliot" and "from Lenny Bruce" in manuscript, and a black and white photograph of Bruce in 1961 being searched by a police officer laid-in. The letter 11 x 8 1/2 inches (28 x 21.5 cm); photograph 4 1/2 x 6 inches (11.5 x 15.25 cm). Usual folds to letter, toning, creasing and some spotting, envelope worn and soiled; the photograph fine.
"I wish someone could change the tide of my life." A remarkably funny and poignant letter from Lenny Bruce to Helen Elliott during his obscenity trials, with pencil-drawn boxes to the left of each typed sentence and a manuscript note in the margins, including a drawing of a stick figure behind bars. Helen Elliott was a Greenwich Village bohemian known for her love affair with Lucien Carr and friendships with Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg when they were students at Columbia University. From 1956 to 1957, Elliott lived with Helen Weaver across the street from the famed White Horse Tavern. The two were referred to as "The Two Helens" and inspired "The Two Ruths" in Kerouac's 1965 novel Desolation Angels. Bruce writes to her: "Dear Helen Pellen / Your putting me on no! Or don't they publish papers in N.Y. yet still strike. / The ans[wer] is here [stick figure drawing] / I busy trying to stay out of this box. Love L."
Auction: The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile, Jun 25, 2026
-
Successful Auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on June 25, 2026 Tops $550k with 97% Sell-Through Rate
-
Featuring a Wide Range of Americana and Military History Spanning the 18th through 20th Centuries
-
We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's highly-anticipated auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on June 25, 2026 delivered outstanding results, with trans-Atlantic bidding driving the sale total beyond expectations and an impressive 97% sell-through rate. Comprising more than 200 lots, this extensive and fascinating collection featured books, manuscripts, and original illustration art spanning centuries of antiquarian interest.
Signed Volume from Abraham Lincoln's Personal Library - Sold for $64,000
Books from Abraham Lincoln's personal library are among the great rarities of the American book trade. Leading the sale was an 1849 first edition of William W. Campbell's The Life and Writings of De Witt Clinton inscribed by Lincoln that achieved $64,000, more than doubling its $20,000-30,000 estimate. Lincoln signed the book on November 19, 1860, less than two weeks after his election to the presidency. In February 1861, he would depart Springfield by train for Washington, never returning to his hometown until his burial following his assassination.
A United States Senator, Mayor of New York City, and Governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton is best remembered for championing the Erie Canal, one of the great infrastructure projects of the 19th century. Lincoln admired Clinton's vision and leadership, looking to him as a model of a strong executive capable of undertaking and completing ambitious public works.
British Military & Naval Color Plate Books - Sold for $16,640
The wide selection of color plate books featured magnificent first editions of James Jenkins' celebrated The Martial Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1799 to 1815 and The Naval Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1793 to 1817. Amid trans-Atlantic bidding, this elegant two-volume set sailed its $7,000-10,000 estimate to realize $16,640. Among the finest military color plate books of the early 19th century, these large-paper editions, featuring over 100 hand-colored aquatint plates, were presented in their most desirable state, with coloring of exceptional quality and delicately tinted plate surrounds not found in the regular issue. Completing the lot was an original watercolor by William Heath, the leading British military watercolorist of the period, prepared for one of the plates in The Martial Achievements.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
