[ Mitchell S. Buck, American classicist. ] Typescript of his novelette 'Rose of Corinth', inscribed to its illustrator Franz Felix, with covering Autograph Letter Signed ('M S B') from Buck to Felix, regarding arrangements for illustrating the book.

Both letter and typescript in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. In envelope with three postmarks between 9 and 11 September 1928, addressed 'For: Franz Felix, Esq. | Apt. 3-c | 790 Riverside Drive, | New York City.' LETTER: 1p., 4to. He explains that he is sending the 'MS' [sic] that day by registered mail, and asks Felix to keep it 'strictly confidential for the present', adding that he has 'not even told Mr. Brown [his publisher] what it is about'. If Felix has time to 'make up a sketch' Buck will collect it and take it to Brown. He concludes: 'I think I mentioned that Lais [the heroine of the story] in the Prologue is 7 or 8 years old. It was of course foolish of me to send you a few paragraphs only. | I would greatly appreciate any criticism.' TYPESCRIPT: [1] + 64pp., 8vo. Neatly presented, on the rectos of 65 leaves, attached with three brass studs in brown paper wraps with 'ROSE OF | CORINTH' in autograph on front. Inscribed on last page: 'Especially for Franz Felix. | Mitchell S. Buck'. Two minor autograph emendations (one of them the substitution of 'blonde as the ripened wheat' for 'yellow like daffodils'). The tale is set in ancient Greece, and describes the relationship between Lais, beautiful daughter of the courtesan Timandra, and the artist Apelles of Kos. 'Rose of Corinth' was published by N. L. Brown of New York in 1929, with six illustrations by Felix, in an edition 'limited to fourteen hundred and ten copies, printed from type on French Navarre paper'.