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Description

Letter to Carol Southern from Terry Southern, and FBI Report with Correspondence from Attorney Richard Ben-Veniste Regarding the U.S. Release of Candy (ca. 1965). Original collection of items related to Terry Southern's F.B.I. file, including (1) vintage handwritten letter from Terry Southern to his wife, Carol. Written in cursive on yellow 12.5" x 8" legal pad paper, Southern jokes about the absurdity of the file, noting the description of them as "sloppy beatniks" and the claim that he owned a pornography collection "rivaling that of King Farouk." He adds, "Quite an extraordinary intelligence... let's hope the Rooskies are equally dumbbell!!" Also includes (1) Cover letter dated August 30, 1976, from former Watergate Special Prosecutor Richard Ben-Veniste requesting Southern's F.B.I. and C.I.A. files under the Freedom of Information Act and (1) 5-page group of redacted reports, including one from the New Haven office dated 2/26/65, referencing Southern's "alleged collection of pornographic films," personal details about his wife and child, and concerns about his book Candy, co-written with Mason Hoffenberg. Another memo, dated 2/15/65 and sent directly to F.B.I. Director J. Edgar Hoover, discusses the release and distribution of Candy. Cover letter is on carbon paper with Melrod, Redman & Gartlan letterhead (8.5" x 11"), and the reports are photocopied with redactions. All pages exhibit age, fading, staining, bumped corners, and folded edges. Comes with a Full LOA from Beckett Authentication Services. From the Collection of Terry Southern.

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Auction Info

Auction Dates
July, 2025
16th-18th Wednesday-Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 0
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 151

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Sold on Jul 16, 2025 for: Not Sold
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