Graeme and Sarah Lorimer Autograph and Typed Letters, Signed to Contributor Virginia Leach For Contributions to Maude's Diary in Saturday Evening Post 1933-1939

1939. Graeme and Sarah Lorimer Autograph and Typed Letters, Signed to Contributor Virginia Leach For Contributions to Maude's Diary in Saturday Evening Post 1933-1939.

Collection of 10 letters on a variety of letterheads and sizes. Very Good Condition.

According to Wikipedia, "Maude (Maudie) Mason was the protagonist, and narrator, of the "Maudie stories" and "Maudie books" written by American authors Graeme and Sarah Lorimer in the 1930s and '40s, and of the radio show "Maudie's Diary", which aired in 1941-42. The stories, which featured romantic schemes, contemporary slang, and witty banter, revolved around the adventures, tribulations, loves, and losses of an American teenage girl."

The Lorimers wrote at least 36 short stories featuring "Maudie" which were published in either the Ladies' Home Journal or Saturday Evening Post, with Graeme devising plots, and Sarah writing dialogue. According to an interview published in 1941, whenever the Lorimers ran low on their own witty banter, they offered to pay teens they knew for any wisecracks that got published. These letters prove that theory and provide a glimpse into a 7-year literary relationship with Virginia Leach.

Virginia Leach (1915-2019) grew up in Northern California and graduated from UC Berkeley in 1938, already a seasoned contributor to the "Maudie" stories. Each letter Leach received from the Lorimer's acknowledged Virginia's submissions; this from October 1933, "Thanks ever so much for your helpful letter about what makes boys popular." Several letters document that payments were sent to contributors, "Herewith our check for five dollars and many thanks." Leach's obituary states "her quips were sent to the New Yorker and were published frequently by Herb Caen and Art Hoppe in the San Francisco Chronicle," continuing her literary contributions throughout her life.

A fun little grouping of letters surrounding the writing of a popular literary character in the 30's and 40's.