Official Edgar Rice Burroughs Tribute and Weekly Webzine Site
Since 1996 ~ Over 15,000 Webpages in Archive
Volume 0440
presents
LOST WORDS OF ERB: Letters I
See our compendium of short writings by ERB in
LOST WORDS OF ERB ~ ERBzine 0219

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WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY April 16 Orchard Lake Mich G T Burroughs 25 S Canal St Your son deserted Thursday letter will follow Chas. King Commandant

An Edgar Rice Burroughs handwritten letter
23.06.05 on Tarzana Ranch Stationery
Re: League Of Nations & Socialism

Edgar Rice Burroughs
Tarzana Ranch
Reseda   California

June 1, 1931

Mr. E.C. Hottel,
Bordeaux Hall,
Girard College,
Philadelphia, Pa.

Dear Mr. Hottel:

            It affords me a great deal of pleasure
to append my autograph hereto for your
collection.

            With kindest regards, I am

                            Very sincerely yours,

                (sig) Edgar Rice Burroughs
 

Lanikai, Oahu, T.H.
June 17, 1940

My Dear Children:

Thanks a lot for your Father's Day radiogram. It was very sweet
of you to think of me. It was telephoned to me yesterday after-
noon shortly after I returned from a week-end fishing trip at
Waianae, which I have marked with a red circle on one of the en-
closed maps.

We fished all Saturday afternoon and got up before sunrise and
fished all Sunday morning. During all that time no one got a
srike. We were out in Dudley Lewis' 33' sampan hoping for a
marlin or a broadbill. There are terrific ground swells on that
side of the island, and with a choppy sea the boat lunged and rol-
led constantly; so Jack Halliday got seasick, and about two hours
before we came in I followed his example.

I was wet and filthy and hot and sick, and I aint never goin'
fishin' no more.

We saw hundreds of poroises, which played around the boat. That
was interesting. A Portugese along with us said to me, "There is
an Eva." I finally located it - a trim black bird faced with
white - a Man-o'-War Bird. Thirsting for knowledge, I asked how
they spelled Eva, knowing full well that it wouldn't be Eva at all;
and it isn't - it's Iwa. If you will look southeast of Waianae
you will see the town of Ewa. This is pronounced eva.

I sent a map to one of you; Joan, I think. The two enclosed are
for the other branches of the family.

The Waianae district is as different from the rest of the island
as Arizona is from northern California. That side of the Waianae
Range is as barren as Arizona mountains; the grass and weeds along
the highway are burned and brown. It rains there only a little
and just during the winter months, whereas it rains five or six
times a week on our side of the island. The rains, brought by
the northeast trades, are stopped by the Koolau and Waianae Ranges.

Again, thanks a million for the radiogram.

Aloha nui nui !
OB

#17

EB WRITES HOME ~ May 20, 1942
ERBzine 0365 ~ Eclectica 2000.04.23

1298 Kapiolani Boulevard
Honolulu  T H
May 20 1942

Joan Darling:

Thinking that you might like to see some of my playmates, I am enclos-
ing prints of some shots Hulbert made in January.  Have been all this
time trying to get the negatives from him.  When they came, they were
marked "Do not scratch, mark, or fingerprint."  Jack will appreciate
this.

Cecil Burnside is the wife of a submarine commander.  She hasn't seen
him since October or November.  She has had a couple of cables from him
filed at "Sansorigine".  The first one had everybody in the hotel
searching atlases to locate Sansorigine.  One bright guy said he knew
just about where it was, but that it was not on his map.  Finally, some
one realized that it was French for "without origin".  The location of
his sub is, of course, a military secret.

Jean Armor's husband is a lieutenant on a cruiser.  She has been evacu-
ated. She has a son in that military academy which is, I think, located
at the old Whitley place near you.

"Duke" Willey is manager of the Remington-Rand branch here.  He is a
major in the BMTC.  He has travelled the east for some concern for many
years, and he and his wife are very familiar with Japan, Manila, Shanghai,
Hong Kong, and Singapore.  ONe meets many interesting people at this
"Crossroads of the Pacific".  They make me feel like a life-long shut-in.
Many of the people at the hotel are as familiar with the Orient or Ger-
many or France as you are wit Van Nuys.  Now that I might travel, I
can't get off this little island; and , if I could, there is no place to
go.

Hulbert is getting in a little oftener.  He is in fine condition and
seems quite contented.  When he comes in, we have a little tennis after
lunch; but I have to get him down town to the bus that takes him to his
post about 4 o'clock.  He can never stay in overnight.

I wonder what life will be like after the war is over.  A city lighted
at night will be a strange sight to me, as will the freedom of the
streets after dark.  I feel that I shall always be gasolene and rubber
conscious when I drive.  I shall wonder if tomorrow I shall have butter
or bacon.  If I can buy nails or thumb tacks or rubber bands.  If I can
go about without running into barbed wire or sentries.  If I can mention
the weather or the name of a ship.  After nearly six months of this life
I have become so accustomed to it that any other will seem strange and
unreal.   I hope that I live to see it.

Tell me all the news when you write.  Lots of love to you all.

Papa

Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.
Tarzana, California
1298 Kapiolani Boulevard
Honolulu T H
April 10, 1943

Joan darling:

Developing an excess of energy, I have managed to get the remainder
of the junk off.  How I came to accumulate such trash is not a long
story.  There is a great deal of trash down there.  What is not trash,
they have boosted the prices on as much as 500 to 600% since our boys
blew in with money to burn and no sense of value.  AND I didn't know
whether I was going to have enough money for legitimate expenses, as
I was unable to get checks cashed after I left Honolulu.

Incidentally, they have also boosted prices on trash.

However, I thought that you might like to have souvenirs of the trav-
els of Marco Polo Burroughs.

Please divide them in your family as you see fit.

If there is excess postage on the package, please let me know.  It
has just occurred to me, (too late, as usual) that the descriptive
matter on the various packages may call for 1st class postage.

Lots of love!

Papa

Edgar Rice Burroughs
Tarzana, California 1298 Kapioleni Boulevard
Honolulu 42 Hawaii
November 2, 1943

Joan darling:

I don't wonder that I haven't heard from you lately.  I just looked
in my files and saw my last letter to you - October 2 - nearly three
single spaced pages!  But I promise not to do it this time. I just
feel like visiting with you.

Haven't heard from Jack since his letter of July 13.  But I know that
he is very busy.  I shall write him soon, as I shouldn't wait for a
letter from him for an excuse.  How I wish I could see you both!

A reputedly well known Mainland photographer, now here, told a friend
of mine that Hulbert is doing the finest war photography that he has
seen. His name is W. Eugene Smith.  They saw he added the W because
there is another Eugene Smith here.

Last night I dreamed that I was married again.  To whom, I didn't
find out.  But I knew I was married because I was sitting at a desk
with a pile of bills, making out checks.  I woke up with a headache.
But what a relief when I realized that it had been only a dream.

My most recent letter from Ralph was the most optimistic and cheerful
letter that I have ever received from him.  It added to my now normal
state of cheerfulness.  He has done a wonderful job for the corporat-
ion and for all of us.  I hope that you  all appreciate what he has
accomplished against great odds and also his almost unbelievable loy-
alty to each and every one of us.  I am confident that Ralph could
have his pick of many jobs that would pay him far more than he is
getting and at the same time be free from all the many griefs he has
shouldered for us.  He is highly intelligent, and his integrity has
been proved beyond the shadow of a doubt.  Shannon saw to that, and
is convinced by incontrovertible evidence.  We should give Ralph
every possible support within our power, not only because he deserves
it, but because if we lost him, God only knows what would happen to
the corporation - and that is going to mean a lot to you children in
later years.  It has meant a lot to all of us for twenty years.

Just phoned Phil Bird to ask him to dinner, but the colonel told him
he couldn't leave tonight, as he (the colonel) is going on pass; so
I am going up to have dinner with Phil.  He has asked me several
times if you ever received his letter.  He has been hoping for one
form you. His address: Capt Phil Bird, Hq. 2nd Bn. 64th CA(AA),
APO 958, c/o POstmaster, San Francisco, etc.  Their baby must be
a hundred years old by this time, it seems so long ago since the
regiment and a war correspondent were toasting her....frequently and
raucously.

I let you off easy this time.

Lots of love!

Papa

ERB WRITES TO GRANDSON DANTON ~ JUNE 12, 1944

June 22 1944

Master Danton Burroughs
Tarzana, California.

Dear Danton:

Just two years ago today your brother arrived when our world
did not look too bright.  But you come in on the crest of a
victorious wave that is carrying us and our allies to success-
ful ending of World War II much sooner than we had expected.

If your generation shows more intelligence than past generat-
ions, perhaps there will be no more wars.  But that is almost
too much to expect.  However, there is a chance.  You have been
born into the greatest nation the world has ever known.  Keep it
great.  Keep it strong.  If you do, no country will dare to go to
war if we say no.

Put this letter away and read it June 21st 1965.  You will be of
age then.  See then if the politicians have kept your country great
and strong.  If they haven't, do something about it.  If I'm around
I'll remind you.

            Good luck my boy,
                    Your Grandfather,

                                (sig) Edgar Rice Burroughs

1298 Kapiolani Boulevard
Honolulu 42 Hawaii
2 November 1944

Joan Darling:
"...Am enclosing three $1 Hawaiian bills for you Joanne, and Mike,
which I thought you might like to have as souvenirs.

This is the only type of paper money that has been legal tender
here since June 1942. Recently the ban has been lifted, and now
we can use any United States money and can also ssend this money
to the Mainland for the first time.

Love, (sig) Ed

1298 Kapiolani Boulevard
Honolulu 42 Hawaii
3 March 1945

Joan Darling:
It was good to have your letter of 23 February, which arrived
yesterday.

While I was, in a way, glad to get back here, I enjoyed my stay
in California so much that I am now inclined to get homesick, I
miss you all so much.

Was glad to learn that you are O.K. again. Leavelle was probab-
ly quite right (and playing safe) in diagnosing your trouble as
"gingivitis". Had he just said inflammation of the gums, he
would still have been right; and you would have known that he
didn't know what the hell was the matter with you.

Was not greatly surprised to hear about Dorothy and George.
George is a chump, and some day he will realize it. Dick is the
real loser, as is the case of nearly every minor in a broken
home, though your case is an exception. I think yours are better
off. Some day they will realize it.

Tell Dorothy I've been expecting a letter from her.  She's a swell
girl.  I miss watching her drag that damn vacuum all over the
house, letting Tuffy out, letting Tuffy in, and letting Tuffy out
again.

Hulbert blew into my quarters about 6:30 last evening with Capt.
Elmer, a dame, and a bottle. He let me have one drink, and then
blew out again. I Tride to shame him into leaving what was left
of the bottle; but no soap.  I think the dame was Elmer's (This
to relieve Ella Mae's mind, should you inadvertently mention it.)

We were all shocked at the reported loss of Genl. Harmon.  I met
him on New Caledonia, where he was extremely nice to me. He was
a respected and popular officer.

Was glad to know that Joanne is in Van Nuys High School.  It was
a very fine school when Hulbert and Jack went there, and there
were many nice children and a lot of drips. I hope Joanne fore-
gathers with the former.

Lots of love to you all, my dear,

Papa

FOLLOW UP LETTER FROM PRESIDENT REAGAN
January 19, 1988

January 19, 1988

Dear Mr. McWhorter:

Thanks very much for sending along the letter that you had in your collection from Edgar Rice Burroughs.  And, you're right, it still has relevance today.  It reminds me of the responsibility that we have to make this word a safer and better place for generations to come.  He had a lucky grandson, didn't he, to have much wisdom imparted at such an early age.  I hope that, looking on, Edgar Rice Burroughs knows that this country is still keeping strong and that the generation coming *** will keep the spirit that he conveyed ***.

Sincerely,

(sig) Ronald Reagan

Mr. George T. McWhorter
Ekstrom Library
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky  40292

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277
TARZAN OF THE PAPERBACKS
by Paul Mandel LIFE Magazine ~ November 29, 1963
See ERBzine 0277

LOS ANGELES: March 19 - Edgar Rice Burroughs, the novelist, who created the apeman "Tarzan," famed in books and films, died this morning at his Encino home of a heart ailment. His age was 74. The author, who had been ill for three months, had eaten an early breakfast, and was lying in bed reading when death came. His daughter, Joan, and his two sons, John and Hulbert, were at the bedside. Mr. Burroughs had been a shut-in for several years. Confined to a wheelchair by a series of heart attacks, he still derived great pleasure from creating the action necessary for the Tarzan books. Two cities were named in honor of his hero, Tarzan, Calif. and Tarzan, Tex. The novelist, who began investing in California real estate from the profits of his first books, developed great tracts of land in the San Fernando Valley and sold them at prices that helped swell his fortune. After Pearl Harbor Mr. Burroughs became a war correspondent and roved the Pacific islands writing battle dispatches. He returned to his home after being invalided out of the Pacific. Later he purchased a small home in Encino, where he lived quietly. Mr. Burroughs left approximately fifteen incompleted Tarzan tales and other adventure stories. Besides his three children, five grandchildren survive. A private funeral has been set tentatively for Tuesday.

140,000,000 SAW EACH FILM
Creator of the most widely known jungle character of this century, Mr. Burroughs never considered himself in a class with Kipling. That each Tarzan movie was seen by 140,000,000 persons or that his books had sold 35,000,000 copies did not alter his conviction that his success was due to an uncanny faculty for avoiding intellectual precincts. In fifty-six languages vast multitudes read of the tribulations of the Englishman reared by apes in Africa. Two hundred newspapers, forty of them foreign, told, with pictures, how Tarzan fought along-side his animal friends against cruelty and avarice. On the radio and in children's games the loud but limited vocabulary of the jungle monarch was in constant rehearsal. A rugged man, Mr. Burroughs read little and was goaded into writing at the age of 35 only by failure at everything else he had tried. "Master of the slaughter-house branch of fiction" he was called by Alva Johnston, who added that in Mr. Burroughs' out-put was discernible "a trace of Homer, but not any Noel Coward." Starting with publication of Tarzan of the Apes in 1914, Mr. Burroughs stuck fairly close to the plots with which he had lulled himself to sleep during the days when he was unable to succeed as a clerk, accountant, salesman, railroad detective, cow handler, gold dredger or advertising man.

WROTE FIRST NOVEL IN 1912
The first time he decided to write was after reading a pulp magazine in connection with advertising work. He thought he could do as well as the contributors and, in 1912, he turned out a novel called Under the Moon of Mars which he sold for $400. For this work he used the name "Normal Bean," because he had already decided that his was the average mind in search of
average readers. Geography meant no more to Mr. Burroughs than did grammar. He had no interest in research and never set foot in Africa. Much more time was spent figuring out appealing names for his elephant, cheetah or ape than on checking the flora of their habitat. Until he began writing Mr. Burroughs showed no literary interest. Born in Chicago on Sept 1, 1875, the son of a successful distiller and manufacturer, he attended private schools, where he did poorly. His formal education was completed at military academy. Many years later, after ten movie actors had played Tarzan, Mr. Burroughs was mystified to hear that Kipling's Jungle Book had been an inspiration for his works. He replied that the source of his central character had been the tale of the weaning of Romulus and Remus by a she-wolf. By that time Mr. Burroughs had written nearly fifty books and was dictating one novel a year instead of his earlier rate of two books a year. At his best, the author had written more than 9,000 words a day.

[The Associated Press reports from Hollywood that the Tarzan movies will go on. The film producer, Sol Lesser, said he recently negotiated a contract with Mr. Burroughs for fifteen pictures to be produced over the next ten years.]

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