GEORGE KAUFMAN PLAYWRIGHT 1930s SIGNED LETTERS, NEWSPAPER PHOTO & OBITUARY

Description

We are offering two letters from George S. Kaufman on his personal stationery which we believe to be from the 1930s.  Along with the letters is a newspaper photograph apparently taken after Kaufman's scandelous affair with actress Mary Astor in 1936.  Thirdly, there is a July 8, 1961
Saturday Review
obituary for George Kaufman beautifully written by Howard Teichmann, a playwright who co-wrote with Kaufman.
The letters are not actually dated, they only have the day of the week, which was typical of Kaufman's manner.  One letter, from his 94th St., NYC address, is handwritten and is to a woman named Ruth (possibly his younger sister).  He writes, "Dear Ruth - It strikes me you may be worried about financial matters in the present crisis.  [Possibly the Great Depression?]  Anyhow, don't - since that is one aggravation that I can lift from your shoulders.  So -" (then signed "George".)  The other letter, from his Park Avenue, NYC address, is typewritten and says, "Thank you, Mr. G., for your nice note."  (then signed "George Kaufman".)
George Kaufman (1889-1961) was a playwright, theater director and producer, who won the Pulitzer Prizes for the plays "
Of Thee I Sing
" in 1931, and "
You Can't Take It With You
" in 1937.  He wrote comedy Broadway shows for the Marx Brothers before the duo began making films.  In every Broadway season from 1921 through 1958, there was a play written or directed by George Kaufman.