Beschreibung:

Title: Archive of letters from René Belbenoit, with related material Author: Belbenoit, René Place: Publisher: Date: 1930s-50s Description: 10 Typed Letters, signed; 4 Autograph Letters, signed; Photograph, signed; 6 original drawings (5 in color) by prisoners (but none by Belbenoit himself) 3 of which are signed on the rear by Belbenoit, 2 others with his notes on the rear. Also included are a copy of his work 'Dry Guillotine' (22nd printing, 1939), a copy of Henri Charriere's 'Papillon' and various newspaper and magazine clippings relating to Belbenoit and the French prison colonies. René Belbenoit was imprisoned at the Penal Colony of French Guiana for the theft of a few pearls from his employer. After several unsuccessful attempts, Belbenoit escaped the penal colony in 1935, reaching Los Angeles in 1937. His memoirs of imprisonment, 'Dry Guillotine', were published in 1938 going through 14 printings in the first year. Unfortunately the publication of his book brought him to the attention of U.S. Immigration officials and he was arrested and ordered to leave the country in 1941. The following year he returned illegally to the United States and was arrested and imprisoned in Texas. Following his release he secured a valid passport and moved to Los Angeles where he worked as an advisor for Warner Brothers. He eventually gained citizenship and was the proprietor of Rene's Ranch Store in Lucerne Valley, CA until his death in 1959. The present archive of letters, all addressed to John Lawrence of Hollywood, CA, concern the period just prior to his leaving the United States, his year traveling in Central America, his illegal return to the U.S. (including a plea for help re-entering the country), several letters from prison in Texas, and a few letters following his release. The included drawings offer depiction of prisoner life in the Penal Colony of French Guiana. A unique and fascinating archive. Lot Amendments Condition: Very good. Item number: 207036