Margaret Mitchell
Atlanta, GA, February 24, 1937
Margaret Mitchell Re: "your copy of Gone with the Wind..." This 1st Ed. Copy of the Book is Included!
TLS & First Edition Book

Margaret Mitchell (1900-1949). Typed letter signed, "Margaret Mitchell Marsh," 1p, on her personal stationery, 7" x 10.75", Atlanta, Georgia, February 24, 1937. Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope postmarked same. With expected mailing folds and light creases. In fine condition and very boldly signed.

The lower third of Mitchell's letter is adhered to the blank page after the dedication page within a first edition, sixth printing of "Gone With the Wind." New York: The Macmillan Company, 1936. Runs 1037pp and measures 6" x 8.5" x 2". Complete with first edition dust jacket affixed to inner covers. Jacket is trimmed but retains the original $3.00 price. Publisher's grey cloth boards exhibit corner bumping with wear to edges and spine. Toning, scattered foxing, and a few small closed tears at interior. Provenance: Purchased by a notable collector in March of 2000 for $4,500, with copy of invoice included here.

Margaret Mitchell's epic novel of love and war won the Pulitzer Prize in 1937 and is said to be the fastest-selling novel in the history of American publishing, with 50,000 copies sold in a single day. It is no surprise then that Mitchell was overwhelmed with autograph requests! Here, she writes to one Mrs. H.D. Williams of Toledo, Ohio, explaining the reason for declining her autograph.

In full:

"Your letter requesting an autograph put me in an embarrassing position, and I can only be frank with you and hope that you will understand my situation. I cannot autograph your copy of 'Gone with the Wind' and this is the reason.

For five months I did the best I could in the matter of autographing. I was so very grateful for the public interest that I tried to oblige everyone. I still am as grateful as I was when my book made its first success, and still as completely overwhelmed by the success as I was in the beginning. Unfortunately, when the sales neared the million mark the requests for autographs rose in proportion. They came in in thousands - personal calls, letters, by wire and by telephone - hundreds of copies were sent me through the mail. It took the entire time of myself, my secretary and my maid wrapping, addressing and standing in line at the post office. Things reached the point where I was forced to refuse to autograph for anyone, even relatives and close personal friends. I was having no rest or opportunity to attend to my heavy correspondence or my domestic duties.

Since arriving here at this decision some time back, I have been forced to refuse many hundred requests. I have no broken my rule for, if I could autograph for everyone I would autograph for a few, as I did not wish to be in the position of slighting some people and favoring others. This situation is not to my liking, and I know that it makes me appear unappreciative of my good fortune and of public interest, but the volume of requests has been so large that I have had to establish this rule in self-defense. I hope you will understand."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 6" x 8.5" x 2"
  • Medium: TLS & First Edition Book

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

by University Archives
July 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
88 Danbury Road
Suite 2A
Wilton, CT, US 06897

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000