[ALS] [PRESENTATION COPY] WEEP FOR MY BROTHER

New York: Doubleday & Co., Inc, 1950. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good binding. 8vo.; in the publisher’s black cloth binding, lacking the dustjacket; xii, [2], 3-308 pages; there are rust marks from a now removed paper clip to the first few leaves; this copy with a Presentation Inscription: “For Edith and Charlie -- with gratitude & affection -- faithfully, Clifford Dowdey. Richmond 7 March 1955.”~~Laid in is a remarkable two page typed letter signed by Clifford Dowdey and address to Charlie (who is Charles Sheerin, an Episcopal minister and close friend; Mr. Sheerin was rector of several churches, as well as sometime chaplain at Groton School and Headmaster of Woodberry Forest School, among others). ~~The letter addresses in detail the autobiographical nature of this book. Mr. Dowdey notes that he returned to Richmond (where he was born) from Hollywood to look after his mother “at a very real financial sacrifice ... for there are neither quick picture jobs nor magazine articles offereed a writer in Henrico County”. He also mentions having lunch with Bob Brown. We presume this is the Robert Brown who was at the time the Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond.~~The letter ends with a PS: “I apologize for the beat-up copy I’m sending, but it’s all I have. We don’t get any more samples in this business that a bank-teller does.”~~A letter full of autobiography, and vulnerability. It is dated 6 March, 1955.~. Very Good binding.