DERLETH, August (1909-1971). Typed Letter Signed and Three Arkham House Ephemera Items. Sauk City, WI, [ca. 1970s]. Letter is on Derleth's personal stationery, one 8vo page on one sheet. Dated 17 August 1970. Approximately 8 1/2 x 6 1/4". Addressed "Dear Miss Platt," to Miss Anthea Platt. Signed "Cordially, [manuscript] August Derleth". This letter notifies Platt that they have sent her a book, Deep Waters, and added her want list to their records. He then goes on to describe his upcoming exit as the co-owner of Arkham House: "As for Arkham House -- alas! all things come to an end in time, and while -- despite more surgery this summer (I am just back from another bout of it, hopefully this time my last, and at my desk, as you see), I notice no diminution of strength or energy, but eventually this must come about. For the past 30 years I have devoted much of my time to Arkham House, to the editing of Lovecraft letters, now being completed, and all too little to my own writing and the business of living -- or ought I to say the pleasures of living. I've produced 140 books bearing my byline, in virtually all fields of creative writing; since the average lifetime production of an author is 8 books, you may conclude that I have lived many lives, and I suppose this is true, if purely in a vicarious sense. I may some day take up Pons and Cthulhu, yes. But for the nonce I still have two stories to write for the CHRONICLES, and two to revise; and these must come first. Then I plan to write the second novel, THE GHOST OF CARRAGEEN LODGE. I am familiar with THE RAINBOW AFFAIR -- indeed, had word of it from its author in California in 1966." Apparently, Derleth's failing health and impending death (less than a year after this letter was written) prevented him from writing The Ghost of Carrageen Lodge or any works involving Solar Pons with Cthulhu. The Rainbow Affair was a Man from U. N. C. L. E. novel, the only one set in England, by David McDaniel. 

And with: photocopied flyer from Arkham House about selling a small stock of Someone in the Dark, newly discovered; an order blank of various Arkham House titles, with a portrait of Derleth on the verso; a photocopied letter from Roderic Meng, General Manager of Arkham House, stating that the release schedule of the publisher may be altered due to the death of Derleth, and with an Addendum to this letter, listing additional changes in their schedule. 

Letter has one vertical and one horizontal creases, minor rubbing, else fine. The ephemera pieces with minor rubbing, soiling, creases, the Addendum has ink markings in an unknown hand. Generally very good.