Classic Entertainment Autographs

Cat. #005273: EDWARD VAN SLOAN

Ultra-, ultra-rare vintage handwritten 5-page 1963 letter to a nephew on 6.5 x 9-inch tan stationery, signed "Uncle Van" at the close, accompanied by its original transmittal envelope. The longest writing example we know to exist, in good condition, with mailing folds and one minute stain to the upper left-hand edge of the final page, reading, in part: "I am feeling much better— I've gotten over the hump as far as the flu is concerned; though I still have to build up my resistance— after all 80 is 80— and though I think I carry it off pretty well an old man is an old man; and that is not always so attractive. Yes I still have my Army card permitting me to use the medical facilities… I am not ever pleased with the Physician to whom I am assigned. Poetic justice— he is a Negro. My old one's tour was up & he's left and his patients were assigned to this man. He's quite a young man and the medicine he prescribed for me on my first visit almost killed me. However, I have an appointment with him this week and we shall see… I must thank you for the generous offer of paying my way east— but that is not necessary as yet. I have my Social Security and the Pension… If it is at all possible to come East this summer I'll be there… your suggestion of working with you (to the extent of my capabilities) on some Civil War History-research etc. sounds mighty good to me." He goes on to discuss other plans and family matters. Note that the image of the star shown here alongside the scan of the autograph is not included. Best known for his starring role as Dr. Van Helsing in Tod Browning's horror masterpiece Dracula (1931), serious, bespectacled, gray-haired character actor Edward Van Sloan also thrilled audiences in Frankenstein (1931), Behind the Mask (1932), The Mummy (1932), The Black Room (1935), Dracula's Daughter (1936), Before I Hang (1940), The Monster and the Girl (1941), and The Mask of Diijon (1946). Genuine autographs of the monster movie icon are as rare as hen's teeth.