[GUNNESS, Belle (1859 - 1908?)]. DE LA TORRE, Lillian. Collection of scrapbooks and correspondence related to Belle Gunness, the infamous serial killer. V.p., ca. 1900s - 50s.

Includes: two scrapbooks of photographs, clippings, and ephemera; a file of correspondence between author Lillian de la Torre (Lillian de la Torre Bueno McCrue, 1902 - 1993), who wrote The Truth About Belle Gunness (New York: Fawcett, 1955), and Charles F. Pahrman, a resident of La Porte, Ind., who was acquainted with Gunness and assisted de la Torre with research for her book; and a postcard of Gunness and children. 

The first scrapbook, 4to, red boards bound with string, is signed on the inside cover on a bookplate by Pahrman, inscribed "Property of the Pahrman Museum" and signed by Pahrman, Ronald Snyder, and Kerry Snyder. Containing approximately 75 items, including an autograph of Belle Gunness, photos of the Gunness farm, house, private cemetery and burial sites, murder victims, photographs of possible victims who disappeared, two documents identified as "court exhibits," five postcards of Belle Gunness and scenes of her "murder farm," and several letters and postcards to Pahrman from de la Torre.

The second scrapbook, oblong 8vo, with 29 silver gelatin postcard-sized photographs related to the case, including photos of Gunness and her children, the ruins of her home, victims' bodies and body parts, burial sites, images of Gunness's teeth and rings discovered in the ruins, and more. 

The file of correspondence with approximately 38 letters (and a few cards or postcards), ca. 1947-52, between de la Torre and Pahrman (most of his being carbons), and a six-page annotated typescript by de la Torre based on Pahrman's recollections of Gunness, as well as several related pieces of ephemera and clippings; some letters retain original mailing covers. 

The lot also includes a paperback copy of The Truth about Belle Gunness (1955). In the acknowledgements, de la Torre thanks Pahrman last, "and not least."

Gunness was a Norwegian-American serial killer who is suspected of killing at least 14 men and children. Gunness lured men to her La Porte farm through newspaper marriage ads, then robbed and murdered them. She also collected life insurance payouts following the deaths of her first husband and step-children, and from her second husband. She is believed to be one of the most prolific female serial killers in history. 

This is a fascinating record of material from Lillian de la Torre, who wrote one of the first book-length works on the case, and Charles Pahrman, who supplied her with first-hand information and documents.

Smaller scrapbook binding deteriorated, lacks lower cover. Scattered tears and mailing folds to letters. Overall, very good.