A very lucky find

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  • Last Post 24 September 2020
David Reiss posted this 17 September 2020

I have been wanting to add this book to my library for years, but most copies I have found have either been in poor condition or in good condition, but priced about $100 or more. 

However I was able to snatch up this book on eBay for under $50. I was very pleased and excited for it's arrival. I would have never guessed at what a surprise awaited me.

When I opened the package I found the book in great condition, but it held a surprise. Inside there was an envelope on NRA stationary and a post mark from Salmon, Idaho dated 1957, one year before I was born. It contained a letter in pristine condition from Elmer Keith to a gentleman in Kansas. The letter discussed loading for the .44 mag. It includes Elmer's signature and many typos and misspellings. This was no surprise as I have often heard the stories of Keith's bad spelling.

I know many of you may have letter similar to this one in your possession and they are not uncommon, but to me it is very special and I will always cherish it.

  

David Reiss - NRA Life Member & PSC Range Member Retired Police Firearms Instructor/Armorer
-Services: Wars Fought, Uprisings Quelled, Bars Emptied, Revolutions Started, Tigers Tamed, Assassinations Plotted, Women Seduced, Governments Run, Gun Appraisals, Lost Treasure Found.
- Also deal in: Land, Banjos, Nails, Firearms, Manure, Fly Swatters, Used Cars, Whisky, Racing Forms, Rare Antiquities, Lead, Used Keyboard Keys, Good Dogs, Pith Helmets & Zulu Headdresses. .

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Little Debbie posted this 17 September 2020

That’s very nice, great find.

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Qc Pistolero posted this 17 September 2020

The era when writers took time to personnaly answer an admirer's letter is way over.Your patience for the well desired book has been well rewarded.I am glad for you holding that piece of handgun history.

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max503 posted this 18 September 2020

The era when writers took time to personnaly answer an admirer's letter is way over.Your patience for the well desired book has been well rewarded.I am glad for you holding that piece of handgun history.

 

I got a return email from the author of a book I read.  Guess that's how they do it these days.

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dale2242 posted this 23 September 2020

Nice find.

A couple of years ago I went to an estate sale at Hensley & Gibbs shop in Murphy, Oregon.

I live 40 minutes away.

I was told they had quite a library and the books were $2 each. Yes $2 each.

I was digging around and found a number of old Lyman loading manuals I was interested in.

There was a copy of Elmer Keiths "Sixguns".

I already had a copy but for $2 I though, what the heck, I`ll take this because i knew it was worth more than that.

When I got home, I opened it and found a it was signed by Elmer.

The inscription read " To Hensley and Gibbs with all best wishes Elmer Keith Salmon, Idaho Oct 25, 1981. 

This was in Elmers own handwriting

Evena blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.. 

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Ed Harris posted this 23 September 2020

When I interviewed in 1972 for an editing position on the NRA tech staff I was given a hand written manuscript written in pencil in a shaky hand, on lined schoolbook paper.  There were many mispellings and the writing was barely legible, but in an hour I managed to produce typed copy on an old Underwood manual which I felt acceptable.

Col. E.H. Harrison and Ludwig Olson then reviewed and marked up my copy.  Col. Harrison then removed a bound volume of 1957 American Rifleman from the shelf, opened it up to a bookmarked page and laid it on the desk with a smile.

"I think Mr. Harris did a better job rendering Elmer's chicken scratch into prose than you did, Lud.  What do you think?  Should we hire him?

 

 

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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sergeant69 posted this 24 September 2020

frame that damn thing!!

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