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Title: Archive of eight Typed Letters Signed and two Autograph Letter Signed, from Charmian London to Margaret Smith Cobb Author: London, Charmian Place: Various places Publisher: Date: 1910-1916 Description: Varying from a half-page to three pages; four with original envelopes. Revealing correspondence between the wife of Jack London and the aspiring poet, author and artist whom Jack and Charmian befriended, and who was assisted by Jack in her literary endeavors. Born in 1871, the daughter of a Chilean princess and an early settler in Long Valley, Mendocino County, Margaret Smith married Oliver Cobb in 1902. She published a number of poems, and authored a romance entitled, Blaxine, Half-Breed Girl (1913). In the first letter, Oct. 7, 1910, Charmian is writing for an all-too busy Jack, and signs the letter “Mrs. Jack,” beginning the letter “Don’t be disappointed when you see the signature below – I’m his worser half, anyway; and, besides, he’s going to write you anyway, as soon as he can get at your book which came some days ago… We are both ever so interested in you, from your letter. Oh, WHAT a pity you couldn’t have had some advice about publishers before they took your money!... Next, you will hear from The Man…” The next letter, March 4, ’13, is addressed to “My dear,” but it is obviously to Margaret in view of the content - in part “I’ve been looking in my sewing chest to see if I’ve anything Lilian could use... George Sterling is reading proof for Jack, on The Valley of the Moon. He is much interested in the poetry Jack quotes, which was written by my little mother [apparently a reference to Margaret]. Jack hasn’t gotten to your novel ms. yet. Don’t expect any hurry from him. He’s terribly busy. I know he wants to give is best time and attention to you. I want to read it too but I can’t just yet…” On July 23, 1914, Charmian consoles Margaret on the recent passing of her husband, “You MUST get interested in life again. You must write. Send me something you are working on --- for you must work. Also, it must make dear Lilian sad and blue to see you unhappy. For her sake, for my sake, for your sake, for all our sakes, gather yourself together and write and smile once more…” August 10 of the same year, Charmian writes, “…Did you mean that Alice Best fought on my side when she heard gossip about the first Mrs. London. If she did, it was nice of her --- such terrible, filthy lies have been bruited abroad by that poor, brain-addled woman!... Margaret, I get so discouraged. My house is filled, fourteen and fifteen at a time, and continuously, with all sorts of people, and I cannot get time or strength or sleep or nerve in which to work on my book… I nearly go wild; and yet I would so enjoy entertaining if I did not HAVE to do it all the time… Don’t tell Jack I wrote thus. But it is the truth…” Feb. 19, 1915, “In regard to the matter of which you wrote: No, I love you for being so frank. I am so sorry for you; it means so much suffering…. Don’t forget that physical cleanliness, much bathing, COLD DOUCHES, and that sort of thing…are the best ways of fighting it off… Oh, for some good man with whom you could be happy. I am glad you and Mr. B [undoubtedly Ambrose Bierce] never came together. You would have been so disappointed. He was really an old man, and fast growing into a fussy old dandy. This is not to belittle what good work he has done; but it is true, I believe, from what his most intimate friends know of him… We often speak of the poor man, and wonder his fate. Probably the Mexicans put him out of the way, and we shall NEVER know. Maybe he looked too many times at some pretty seniorita [sic]… and then, pouf!...” A significant series of letters, shedding light on Charmian, her relationship with Jack, and the bohemian circle in which they ran. Lot Amendments Condition: Very good condition. Item number: 227785