A piece of Lewis’s own correspondence, from The Kilns, signed in his hand.
In early April of 1960, a parcel from Doubleday arrived at The Kilns, C.S. Lewis’s home in Headington Quarry, Oxford. Inside was a copy of The Best from Fantasy and Science Fiction, a gift from a reader named Mr. Capreol. Lewis wrote back that same day to thank him, saying he would “look forward to beginning on this feast forthwith.”
Jack and Joy (C.S. Lewis and his wife) had just returned from a trip to Greece, and her cancer had just come back with a vengeance. Nonetheless, Lewis still took time to respond, as was his custom. Early in his popularity he made a commitment to respond to anyone who wrote to him.
That letter is now available, and it can be yours. Along with a first edition copy of the book Lewis was writing about.
About the letter
- Typed by Warnie, signed by Jack. Like much of Lewis’s later correspondence, the letter was typed by his brother, Warren “Warnie” Lewis, and signed by C.S. Lewis himself.
- Authenticated by PSA/DNA (picture below) and purchased from Houle Rare Books & Autographs.
- Framed together with a classic black-and-white photograph of Lewis.
- A hidden story. Paper was scarce during and after the war, and Lewis learned to reuse what he had. This sheet carries erased pencil writing beneath the typed text. I found an image from a 2013 auction of the letter that includes the pencil writing. The dealer who purchased the letter erased the writing.
Includes a first edition of the book
The sale also includes a first edition of the book Lewis mentions in the letter: The Best from Fantasy and Science Fiction, Sixth Series, edited by Anthony Boucher and published by Doubleday, with its dust jacket.
To be clear, it is a first edition of the same title, not the copy that was mailed to Lewis. Together they make a wonderful display: the letter, the man, and the book that prompted it.
Why I’m sharing it
I received this letter as a gift for serving as dean of Boyce College at Southern Seminary, and it has been a treasure. Now I’d love for it to find a home with someone who cherishes Lewis’s writing as much as I do. It would be a centerpiece for any collection of Lewis, Inklings, or 20th-century British literature.
- Condition: excellent
- Free shipping within the U.S.
How to bid
This letter will be sold by silent bid.
- Email your bid to daniel@theolatte.com with the subject line “Bid: Signed C.S. Lewis Letter.”
- Include your name, your bid in U.S. dollars, and the best way to reach you.
- If your bid is close to what I’m looking for, I’ll follow up with you personally.
- You can view my ebay seller ratings and my etsy shop ratings/reviews to check on my standard of business. I’ve got good reviews and I want to make sure you are pleased.
- If your bid is accepted, you’ll send your payment through Venmo.
- If requested, and you send an acceptable bid, I can do a video call for you to better inspect your item before sending payment.
- After I receive your payment, I will send the item first class with sufficient insurance to cover the value and send you the tracking number.
Please bid responsibly. I won’t be haggling much over price, so send your best offer the first time. The bid you send is the one I’ll consider. If it is close, I’ll either send a notice of acceptance with directions for next steps, or a counter offer. If you don’t hear back within a few days, feel free to send a higher bid.
