Lot 561: SAROYAN, WILLIAM

561. WILLIAM SAROYAN (1908-1981) American author and playwright of such pieces as The Time of Your Life (Pulitzer Prize winner) and The Human Comedy. Great content T.L.S. "Bill Saroyan", 1p. oblong 8vo., San Francisco, Dec. 5, 1949, to New York Post columnist Leonard Lyons regarding an upcoming visit to New York and requesting Lyons' help in getting in touch with producers. In part: "If you run into Jed anywhere and he's got any ideas about producing one or another of my plays, give him my address and tell him to write, wire or phone...Or any other producer. I need to get back to the theatre, that's all. Or let me put it this way: I need the money. An all-night drunk staggers into a church just in time to hear the preacher say, `The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.' `Now there's a square fucking deal,' the drunk says, `or I'll kiss your ass.'" Small tear and paper clip stain at top, otherwise very good. Sold with an unsigned copy of Saroyan's book Don't Go Away Mad and Two Other Plays, Harcourt Brace Company, New York: 1949. $200-300