H. L. Mencken and Leda V. Bauer letters

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: MS-0532

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This is group of letters written by H. L. Mencken to colleague and girlfriend Leda V. Bauer. Most letters date from December 1928 through February 1929 with a few into 1930. Mencken writes of gifts they have exchanged, setting times to meet Bauer in New York, her writing projects and his health.

One letter, undated, is on letterhead from the Loyal Legion of American Mothers. This appears to be one of Mencken's joke printings.

There is one letter (1924) from J. G. Clemenceau Le Clercq [Paul Tanaquil] to Leda discussing his novel manuscript. He has dedicated it to Mencken and is asking her to pass it to him. There are 2 pieces of ephemera enclosed in letters. "The Movie" from the Free Tract Society and "An Educational Radio: Some Notes by Upton Sinclair (Not for publication at present, please.)"

Dates

1924, 1928-1930

Creator

Mencken, H. L. (Henry Louis), 1880-1956 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is located at the George Peabody Library and may require scheduling a special appointment to access it. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Collection is open for use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Biographical / Historical

Leda Bauer was born Leda Vesta Bauer-Berg. She was a graduate of Barnard College and the Columbia School of Journalism. In the 1920s she was a film critic and wrote two articles published in Mencken's American Mercury.

Biographical / Historical

Henry Louis Mencken (September 12, 1880 – January 29, 1956) was an American journalist, satirist, cultural critic and scholar of American English. Known as the "Sage of Baltimore", he is regarded as one of the most influential American writers and prose stylists of the first half of the twentieth century. He commented widely on the social scene, literature, music, prominent politicians and contemporary movements. His satirical reporting on the Scopes trial, which he dubbed the "Monkey Trial", also gained him attention.

Biographical information adapted from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._L._Mencken, accessed 2017 July 28.

Extent

0.167 Cubic Feet (28 letters)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956) was an American journalist, satirist, cultural critic and scholar of American English. This collection consists of letters written by H. L. Mencken to colleague and girlfriend Leda V. Bauer dating primarily from 1928-1930, with an additional letter from J. G. Clemenceau Le Clercq [Paul Tanaquil] from 1924.