Truman Capote

Typescript signed: “Truman Capote,” 1p, 8×10. The first typewritten page of the opening of his 1966 “nonfiction novel,” In Cold Blood.

On November 16, 1959, the New York Times carried the following story:

Wealthy Farmer, 3 of Family Slain
A wealthy wheat farmer, his wife and their two young children were found shot to death today in their home. They had been killed by shotgun blasts at close range after being bound and gagged. The father, 48-year-old Herbert W. Clutter, was found in the basement with his son, Kenyon, 15. His wife Bonnie, 45, and a daughter, Nancy, 16, were in their beds. There were no signs of a struggle and nothing had been stolen. The telephone lines had been cut. “This is apparently the case of a psychopathic killer,” Sheriff Earl Robinson said…

Fascinated by this brief news item, author Truman Capote, whose book Breakfast at Tiffany’s had just been published to great acclaim, traveled with his childhood friend Harper Lee (author of To Kill a Mockingbird) to Holcomb, Kansas, and visited the scene of the massacre. Over the course of the next few years, he became acquainted with everyone involved in the investigation and most of the residents of the small town. Rather than taking notes during interviews, Capote committed conversations to memory and immediately wrote quotes as soon as an interview ended. He claimed his memory retention for verbatim conversations had been tested at 94%.

Measuring 25″ x 23″ and featuring a fine black and white photo of Truman Capote, this beautiful presentation has been professionally framed with a teal fabric and inlaid black lacquer fillets framing each window, and glazed in plexiglass. A plaque describing Capote’s effort completes the ensemble. If kept out of direct sunlight and maintained in a clean, temperate environment, this literary heirloom will provide lasting enjoyment for generations.

All Vintage Memorabilia autographs are unconditionally guaranteed to be genuine. This guarantee applies to refund of the purchase price, and is without time limit to the original purchaser. A written and signed Guarantee to that effect accompanies each item we sell.