Archive of original correspondence, vernacular photographs, and ephemera from and regarding Edward Bunker, while imprisoned during the writing and publication of his first novel "No Beast So Fierce," and the development the novel's film adaptation, the landmark 1978 New Hollywood film "Straight Time," circa 1970-1977

N.p. N.p., Circa 1970-1977. Archive of original personal correspondence from author, screenwriter, and actor Edward Bunker, nearly all written while in prison during the publication of his 1973 debut crime novel "No Beast So Fierce" and actor Dustin Hoffman's acquisition of the novel and its development into the landmark 1978 New Hollywood film, "Straight Time."

The archive, compiled by Bunker's longtime friend and associate Katherine "Kitty" Duzy (in the letters here referred to as "Kitty," "Duzy," "Pastry," "Fine Little Fox," and "Princess Kitty," among others), sister of Bunker's then romantic partner, Sandra "Sandy" Alger, also includes autograph envelopes, greeting cards, vernacular photographs, and various ephemera relating to Bunker, his novel, and his burgeoning career in film, as well as various other family, friends, and associates of Duzy's, most from within the penal system, circa 1970-1977.

An insightful and personal archive of Bunker's life in prison and his surrogate family inside and outside prison, during his transition from a recidivous criminal to an acclaimed crime novelist, screenwriter, and actor.

The archive includes:

20 original autograph letters (totaling 38 leaves), including 18 autograph letters, 17 signed, from Bunker (totaling 32 leaves), written to Duzy and friends, with all but one written while in prison, much regarding the publication of "No Beast So Fierce" and Hoffman's development of the novel for the film "Straight Time," circa 1972-1976. Two of the letters are incomplete, with one lacking the first page and another lacking the final page. Also included is a 1971 autograph letter signed from Alger to Duzy, written while in the LA County Jail, and an autograph letter signed from an unidentified "Lenny" to Duzy, circa early 1970s, much regarding his defense in an upcoming trial.

Ten original autograph envelopes, including five from Bunker while at McNeil Island Federal Penitentiary, circa 1973-1974, and five from Alger and others, two with return addresses from the LA County Jail, circa 1971-1975.

25 vernacular photographs (23 color photographs and two black and white photographs), including six of Bunker, including one jailhouse Polaroid of Bunker with Duzy and an unidentified man, stamped "Authorized" with the annotations of his name and inmate number on the verso. Many of the other photographs include Alger and Duzy, among other family, friends, and associates, including two prison yard photographs including Alger, all circa early to mid 1970s.

Four original greeting cards to Duzy, including one inscribed by Bunker and others, circa early to mid 1970s.

Eleven pieces of ephemera regarding Bunker including: A tattered original dust jacket from the first edition of "No Beast So Fierce." Two 1973 newspaper clippings of reviews for "No Beast So Fierce." A 1973 newspaper clipping of an ad for "No Beast So Fierce" with a green marker annotation of "New York Times 3-18-73" in Bunker's hand (all likely mailed to Duzy from Bunker). Three Xerographically duplicated newspaper reviews of "No Beast So Fierce," 1973. A Xerographic color duplication of the cover of the February 1972 issue of "Harper's Magazine" featuring a cover article by Bunker. The February 16, 1974 issue of "The Nation" featuring an essay by Bunker. Bunker's 2005 LA Times obituary and a 2009 "AARP:The Magazine" featuring a cover article on Hoffman.

Detailed inventory available upon request. Serious inquires only please.

Born into a troubled family, Bunker's early life as a recidivous criminal began in his youth. He first began running away from home at the age of five and was first incarcerated at 14, and would spend most of the next three decades of his life in a cycle of incarceration, parole, re-offense, and re-incarceration. Among Bunker's convictions included bank robbery, drug dealing, extortion, armed robbery, and forgery. Bunker began writing in the 1950s while incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison (the prison's youngest-ever inmate at age 17), and was partially inspired by San Quentin's death row inmate Caryl Chessman, who was working on his 1954 memoir "Cell 2455, Death Row: A Condemned Man's Own Story."

In 1975 Bunker was released from prison for the last time, having begun a career as an essayist and crime fiction author while still imprisoned, and soon began working in Hollywood as a screenwriter, technical advisor, and actor. He was the author of five semi-autobiographical crime fiction novels (one, "Stark," was published posthumously in 2006), a posthumously published collection of short stories, "Death Row Breakout and Other Stories" (2010), and the Gold-Dagger award winning 1999 autobiography "Mr. Blue: Memoirs of a Renegade." Three of his novels were adapted into film, "Straight Time" (1978), "Animal Factory" (2000), and "Dog Eat Dog" (2016), with Bunker working as a screenwriter on the first two. He was a credited actor in over 25 films, and is perhaps best remembered as Mr. Blue in Quentin Tarantino's 1992 directorial debut, "Reservoir Dogs."

20 Letters, 1) 5 x 8 to 8 x 12.5 inches, 38 leaves. Near Fine overall, all folded as mailed, two with small chips to the extremities.

10 Envelopes, 3) 6.5 x 4.5 inches. 7) approximately 4 x 9.5 inches. Some envelopes with rough tears from opening, else Near Fine.

25 Vernacular Photographs, 3.25 x 3.5 inches to 3.5 x 5 inches. Near Fine overall, some with light overall toning, and one with light creasing.

4 Greeting Cards, 4.25 x 6.25 inches to 4.5 x 9.5 inches. Near Fine.

11 pieces of ephemera:

"No Beast So Fierce" dust jacket. Good, lacking front flap, with a chip to the top left of the front panel, and overall closed tears and creasing.

4 newspaper clippings. 4.25 x 4.5 inches to 12.5 x 11.5. Very Good plus overall, three with light overall toning, and three folded horizontally and vertically.

3 Xerographically duplicated articles. 8.5 x 11 inches. Very Good plus, with faint toning and each folded once horizontally and twice vertically.

Xerographically duplicated color cover of "Harper's Magazine." 8.5 x 11 inches. Near Fine.

Copies of February 16, 1974 issue of "The Nation" and the March/April 2009 issue of "AARP The Magazine," approximately 8 x 10.75 inches. Near Fine.

[Book #173364]