THE LITERARY AND PERSONAL ARCHIVE OF ARMINE VON TEMPSKI. Armin...
Women in Literature and Politics
THE LITERARY AND PERSONAL ARCHIVE OF ARMINE VON TEMPSKI.
Armine von Tempski (1892-1943) was born in Maui the daughter of a Polish ranch manager; she and her siblings enjoyed a remarkable childhood that fueled her writing throughout her life. After her father's death she and her sister opened a "dude ranch" on the island, though she also supported herself by teaching writing articles for the Honolulu Advertiser and the New York Times. Her first two novels were rejected by publishers, but she shot to fame in 1927 upon the publication of her novel Hula, the story of an impetuous teenager on a Maui ranch who falls in love with a married man. The book was quickly adapted to the screen for "It" girl Clara Bow. Hula was quickly followed by Dust, a romance centered around the environmental disaster of Kaho'olawe that had long fascinated von Tempski; Fire: A Novel of Hawaii (1929) and Lava (1930).
Sometime in the late 1920s or early 1930s, von Tempski appears to have moved to California to pursue writing for film while also continuing to write novels and articles for publication in periodicals. In December of 1931, she met Al Ball, a man 15 years her junior, and they were married 6 months later.
Von Tempski continued to publish throughout the 1930s and early 1940s, writing several novels, a memoir (Born in Paradise), and some young adult fiction. She died suddenly in 1943 while in Fresno; the cause of death given at the time was peritonitis resulting from a perforated stomach ulcer (other reports said heart attack). After her death, her widower submitted her final full-length manuscripts for publication: the second volume of her memoir, Aloha, and a Hawaiian-themed juvenile work, Bright Spurs, about two young women who open a dude ranch on the island.
In the years since her passing, von Tempski has remained an important novelist of Hawaii. All of her works are set in the islands, and most of the plots pivot around issues native to the area. No biography has ever been written, however, because no scholar has had access to the present archive. Interestingly, we found a 1968 letter from Hawaiian scholar and bibliographer David Forbes, written to Al Ball's widow, requesting access to von Tempski's papers, which was turned down.
Ball inherited all of von Tempski's effects after her death, including whatever manuscripts, journals and letters were in her possession. He married twice after her death; the first a short marriage, the final marriage to Ouida Ball lasting until his death in 1966. Von Tempski's effects remained with Al's widow until her passing, at which time they descended to her family, who brought them to the market.
The present lot comprises the literary and personal archive of Armine von Tempski, and includes the following:
1. FULL LENGTH WORKS AND NOVELLAS.
Thunder in Heaven. Typed Manuscript, 22 pp. Short story version. WITH: Chapters 6, 7, 14-19 of longer version.
Aloha. Typed Manuscript with annotations, 311 pp, publisher's copy with return label from Dell, Sloan and Pearce. Von Tempski's second memoir.
Aloha. Typed Manuscript, 311 pp. Clean copy.
Aloha. Chapters 12-19, paginated 304-409.
Bright Spurs. Typed Manuscript, 334 pp. WITH: carbons on cheaper paper of chapters 3,4,5,12,13,17, 19-21. A young adult novel about two girls who turn their Hawaiian homestead into a dude ranch after the death of their father.
Sport Models. Typed manuscript, 94 pp, in agent's wrappers. WITH: 24 pp treatment of same (2 copies), also in agent's wrappers, and 16 pp earlier version of beginning. Novel about young love in Hollywood.
2. SHORT FICTION AND NON-FICTION:
Typed manuscripts, with title and authorship given in type at upper left. As follows:
"Far Horizons," 20 pp.
"Eve Lets Down Her Hair" (synopsis), 17 pp.
"Victory" (written after Lava), 31 pp.
"List of Articles" (summary of projects in the works), 2 pp.
Untitled fragment, approx. 30 pp, includes "Chapter One: Birthday in Paradise," partially written as a treatment, annotated, includes character named Kane.
"Right of Way" (corrected to) "Stop Signal"; 23 pp, annotated.
Untitled fragment, about King Amsler, approx. 20 pp.
"Chinese Magic," 9 pp, marked "sold to Cosmopolitan / April 29, '36."
"Ballet Polynesia," 7 pp, synopsis of longer work.
"Birthday in Paradise," 12 pp, dated in pencil, 6/6/40.
"Angus MacPhee, A Man Who Saved an Island from Blowing Away." 16 pp, n.d.
Untitled fragment, lacking p 1, about "Captain Bill," approx. 20 pp, possibly a chapter of a larger work.
"Eve Lets Down Her Hair." Short story. 25 pp. In agent's blue wrappers with printed and typed label. Seems to be complete. Synopsis for larger work? WITH: Chapter 2. (characters Eve and Monte from above story). 18 pp paginated 13-30; AND: Chapter 3. (continuation) 37 pp paginated 31-67.
"No More Professors." 25 pp. Short story, dated after Born in Paradise.
"Christmas in Paradise." 12 pp. Short story featuring Emily.
"Christmas in Hawaii." 8 pp rough draft of non-fiction essay on the holidays in HI.
"International Kitchen." 8 pp. Dated after Lava.
"White Horses." Typescript poem, 2 pp r/v, on SF hotel stationery.
"This is Hawaii." 4 pp typescript, non-fiction.
"Eve Lets Down Her Hair." Another copy. 12 pp. annotated.
"A Lady Leaves." By von Tempski and Frederick O'Brien. 76 pp. In agent's wrappers. Features Captain Bill.
"Drive In: A Story of Hollywood." 32 pp. Mentions Ripe Breadfruit on tp.
"Rich Woman of Kona." 15 pp. Mentions Born in Paradise on tp. WITH: Another copy, 11 pp, in agent Willis Kingsley Wing wrappers. Note on tp mentions that story appeared in Harper's.
"Horse Racing in Paradise." 11 pp. "Sold to L.A. Times, Jan '36."
"The Great Adventure." 19 pp. TP mentions Ripe Breadfruit.
"Tryst." 27 pp, annotated. "Sold to Brit & Eve."
"Christmas in Paradise." 12 pp. "Sold to Cosmo / August '36." Another copy?
"Home Mail." Approx. 35 pp. in folder with annotated, marked "Unfinished" by von Tempski.
"Thanksgiving Football in Tahiti." 11 pp. In Abraham Lehr, Inc. wrappers.
"Chinese Magic." 9 pp. In Willis Kingsley Wing wrappers.
"Tentative List of Subjects to Cover in Series of Articles." 6 pp.
"Informal Article." On writing. 5 pp, plus 3 pp autobiographical sketch, and 10 mss pp of notes.
Misc. pp of Pam's Ranch (3 pp)
Satan's Progress. 25 pp (partial). Mentions Ripe Breadfruit on tp.
"International Kitchen." 8 pp. Title page mentions Lava.
"Melting Pot." 8 pp. Annotated "sold to L.A. Times" on p 1, with copy of LA Times article dated November 21, 1937 titled "Hawaiian Melting Pot."
"Thanksgiving Turkey—In Paradise." 10 pp. Annotated: "This is the original version. I'm finishing Born in Paradise and can't take time to retype it. Please don't lose it as I need it for my files." C.1939?
"Pews." 24 pp. Mentions Lava and has address of McIntosh and Otis on title.
"Tahitian Magic." 9 pp. Annotated "Sold to L.A. Times" to TP.
"The Conversion of Princess Kapua." 24 pp. Mentions Dust on TP. Minor edits in pencil throughout.
"The Silence of Sally." 23 pp. In wrappers of Curtis Brown, Ltd. Literary agency.
"Escape." 30 pp. In David B. Han literary agency wrappers.
"Through Peter's Eyes." 18 pp. Minor annotations.
"The Cone." 24 pp. Minor annotations.
"False Colors." 33 pp. Annotated "Sold as a Magazine Story in England under the title 'Red Revolt.'"
"For Ever and Ever." 11 pp. Rough draft of story, heavily annotated.
"Bobby in the Yellowstone." 37 pp. Rough draft
"California the Golden State." Approx. 30 pp. Text of a CA guidebook?
"Stallion Fight." 6 pp r/v.
"Is the Yellowstone Dying?" 5 pp.
"Hollywood Eats." 5 pp.
3.. CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS.
VON TEMPSKI, ARMINE. Approx. 63 Autograph Letters Signed, 1932-1943, most posted, some notes left around the house, to Al Ball, written while traveling for work, detailing their relationship. WITH: Approx. 30 ALSs of von Tempski to her mother-in-law Lili Ball, 1930s. AND WITH: Approx. 20 ALSs to close friend Anne Alexander, 1933-1943.
CORRESPONDENCE TO ARMINE VON TEMPSKI: includes letters from family, friends and other celebrities such as DAL HOLCOMB, DON BLANDING, ZANE GREY, CHARMIAN LONDON, FREDDIE O'BRIEN, BLACKY FREITAS, ISABEL FIELD, etc. 1920s-1943.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AGENTS AND PUBLISHERS: 1927-43, including letters from FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY, DODD, MEAD & CO., DUELL, SLOAN & PEARCE; GEORGE PALMER PUTNAM, and MACINTOSH & OTIS, 1927-1950s, discussing publication issues, placement of stories in various outlets, works in progress, etc. Includes correspondence with the von Tempski estate.
DIARY FROM CHARMIAN LONDON: A pocket daily calendar for 1936 with presentation inscription from Charmian London, used by von Tempski as a daily journal, approx. three-quarters of the pages full.
JOURNALS: Typed and Autograph Manuscripts, approx. 150 pp, 8vo, 1920s-1940s, covers life before and during marriage, travels.
4. PHOTO ALBUMS AND SCRAPBOOKS.
Assembled by Armine von Tempski:
1. Album, c.1907-1919, assembled by Armine von Tempski while on Hawaii, includes images of von Tempski and others bathing, riding, cattle roping; approximately 150 photos, most 3 x 5 inch gelatin silver prints, many with annotations by von Tempski.
Assembled by Al Ball:
2. Al Ball childhood photo album, c.1907 up to the time of meeting and marrying von Tempski (1933). Approx 200 snapshots.
3. Vacation 1933.
4. "The Ideal Scrapbook." 1935. Sketch by Don Blanding; photos of Hawaiian ranch by Herbert Cloke; Zane Grey large format portrait inscribed to AVT; 2 signed portraits of Harold Bell Wright; signed photo of Hamid Bey, Hollywood, 1935; plus other photos and clippings.
5. "1935." House at 8631 Lookout Mountain; Charmian London visiting; Hollywood Bowl and Chinese theater; Don Blanding's study; Big Tujunga Canyon (Jan 1935) with Hamid Bey; Bakersfield; Santa Anita Racetrack; Salton Sea and Palm Springs; Warm Springs Cherry Festival; yachting; Sequoia Park; summer camping trip; Yellowstone; Redwood Highway; Nordhoff Ruins; Jack...
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Women in Literature and Politics
THE LITERARY AND PERSONAL ARCHIVE OF ARMINE VON TEMPSKI.
Armine von Tempski (1892-1943) was born in Maui the daughter of a Polish ranch manager; she and her siblings enjoyed a remarkable childhood that fueled her writing throughout her life. After her father's death she and her sister opened a "dude ranch" on the island, though she also supported herself by teaching writing articles for the Honolulu Advertiser and the New York Times. Her first two novels were rejected by publishers, but she shot to fame in 1927 upon the publication of her novel Hula, the story of an impetuous teenager on a Maui ranch who falls in love with a married man. The book was quickly adapted to the screen for "It" girl Clara Bow. Hula was quickly followed by Dust, a romance centered around the environmental disaster of Kaho'olawe that had long fascinated von Tempski; Fire: A Novel of Hawaii (1929) and Lava (1930).
Sometime in the late 1920s or early 1930s, von Tempski appears to have moved to California to pursue writing for film while also continuing to write novels and articles for publication in periodicals. In December of 1931, she met Al Ball, a man 15 years her junior, and they were married 6 months later.
Von Tempski continued to publish throughout the 1930s and early 1940s, writing several novels, a memoir (Born in Paradise), and some young adult fiction. She died suddenly in 1943 while in Fresno; the cause of death given at the time was peritonitis resulting from a perforated stomach ulcer (other reports said heart attack). After her death, her widower submitted her final full-length manuscripts for publication: the second volume of her memoir, Aloha, and a Hawaiian-themed juvenile work, Bright Spurs, about two young women who open a dude ranch on the island.
In the years since her passing, von Tempski has remained an important novelist of Hawaii. All of her works are set in the islands, and most of the plots pivot around issues native to the area. No biography has ever been written, however, because no scholar has had access to the present archive. Interestingly, we found a 1968 letter from Hawaiian scholar and bibliographer David Forbes, written to Al Ball's widow, requesting access to von Tempski's papers, which was turned down.
Ball inherited all of von Tempski's effects after her death, including whatever manuscripts, journals and letters were in her possession. He married twice after her death; the first a short marriage, the final marriage to Ouida Ball lasting until his death in 1966. Von Tempski's effects remained with Al's widow until her passing, at which time they descended to her family, who brought them to the market.
The present lot comprises the literary and personal archive of Armine von Tempski, and includes the following:
1. FULL LENGTH WORKS AND NOVELLAS.
Thunder in Heaven. Typed Manuscript, 22 pp. Short story version. WITH: Chapters 6, 7, 14-19 of longer version.
Aloha. Typed Manuscript with annotations, 311 pp, publisher's copy with return label from Dell, Sloan and Pearce. Von Tempski's second memoir.
Aloha. Typed Manuscript, 311 pp. Clean copy.
Aloha. Chapters 12-19, paginated 304-409.
Bright Spurs. Typed Manuscript, 334 pp. WITH: carbons on cheaper paper of chapters 3,4,5,12,13,17, 19-21. A young adult novel about two girls who turn their Hawaiian homestead into a dude ranch after the death of their father.
Sport Models. Typed manuscript, 94 pp, in agent's wrappers. WITH: 24 pp treatment of same (2 copies), also in agent's wrappers, and 16 pp earlier version of beginning. Novel about young love in Hollywood.
2. SHORT FICTION AND NON-FICTION:
Typed manuscripts, with title and authorship given in type at upper left. As follows:
"Far Horizons," 20 pp.
"Eve Lets Down Her Hair" (synopsis), 17 pp.
"Victory" (written after Lava), 31 pp.
"List of Articles" (summary of projects in the works), 2 pp.
Untitled fragment, approx. 30 pp, includes "Chapter One: Birthday in Paradise," partially written as a treatment, annotated, includes character named Kane.
"Right of Way" (corrected to) "Stop Signal"; 23 pp, annotated.
Untitled fragment, about King Amsler, approx. 20 pp.
"Chinese Magic," 9 pp, marked "sold to Cosmopolitan / April 29, '36."
"Ballet Polynesia," 7 pp, synopsis of longer work.
"Birthday in Paradise," 12 pp, dated in pencil, 6/6/40.
"Angus MacPhee, A Man Who Saved an Island from Blowing Away." 16 pp, n.d.
Untitled fragment, lacking p 1, about "Captain Bill," approx. 20 pp, possibly a chapter of a larger work.
"Eve Lets Down Her Hair." Short story. 25 pp. In agent's blue wrappers with printed and typed label. Seems to be complete. Synopsis for larger work? WITH: Chapter 2. (characters Eve and Monte from above story). 18 pp paginated 13-30; AND: Chapter 3. (continuation) 37 pp paginated 31-67.
"No More Professors." 25 pp. Short story, dated after Born in Paradise.
"Christmas in Paradise." 12 pp. Short story featuring Emily.
"Christmas in Hawaii." 8 pp rough draft of non-fiction essay on the holidays in HI.
"International Kitchen." 8 pp. Dated after Lava.
"White Horses." Typescript poem, 2 pp r/v, on SF hotel stationery.
"This is Hawaii." 4 pp typescript, non-fiction.
"Eve Lets Down Her Hair." Another copy. 12 pp. annotated.
"A Lady Leaves." By von Tempski and Frederick O'Brien. 76 pp. In agent's wrappers. Features Captain Bill.
"Drive In: A Story of Hollywood." 32 pp. Mentions Ripe Breadfruit on tp.
"Rich Woman of Kona." 15 pp. Mentions Born in Paradise on tp. WITH: Another copy, 11 pp, in agent Willis Kingsley Wing wrappers. Note on tp mentions that story appeared in Harper's.
"Horse Racing in Paradise." 11 pp. "Sold to L.A. Times, Jan '36."
"The Great Adventure." 19 pp. TP mentions Ripe Breadfruit.
"Tryst." 27 pp, annotated. "Sold to Brit & Eve."
"Christmas in Paradise." 12 pp. "Sold to Cosmo / August '36." Another copy?
"Home Mail." Approx. 35 pp. in folder with annotated, marked "Unfinished" by von Tempski.
"Thanksgiving Football in Tahiti." 11 pp. In Abraham Lehr, Inc. wrappers.
"Chinese Magic." 9 pp. In Willis Kingsley Wing wrappers.
"Tentative List of Subjects to Cover in Series of Articles." 6 pp.
"Informal Article." On writing. 5 pp, plus 3 pp autobiographical sketch, and 10 mss pp of notes.
Misc. pp of Pam's Ranch (3 pp)
Satan's Progress. 25 pp (partial). Mentions Ripe Breadfruit on tp.
"International Kitchen." 8 pp. Title page mentions Lava.
"Melting Pot." 8 pp. Annotated "sold to L.A. Times" on p 1, with copy of LA Times article dated November 21, 1937 titled "Hawaiian Melting Pot."
"Thanksgiving Turkey—In Paradise." 10 pp. Annotated: "This is the original version. I'm finishing Born in Paradise and can't take time to retype it. Please don't lose it as I need it for my files." C.1939?
"Pews." 24 pp. Mentions Lava and has address of McIntosh and Otis on title.
"Tahitian Magic." 9 pp. Annotated "Sold to L.A. Times" to TP.
"The Conversion of Princess Kapua." 24 pp. Mentions Dust on TP. Minor edits in pencil throughout.
"The Silence of Sally." 23 pp. In wrappers of Curtis Brown, Ltd. Literary agency.
"Escape." 30 pp. In David B. Han literary agency wrappers.
"Through Peter's Eyes." 18 pp. Minor annotations.
"The Cone." 24 pp. Minor annotations.
"False Colors." 33 pp. Annotated "Sold as a Magazine Story in England under the title 'Red Revolt.'"
"For Ever and Ever." 11 pp. Rough draft of story, heavily annotated.
"Bobby in the Yellowstone." 37 pp. Rough draft
"California the Golden State." Approx. 30 pp. Text of a CA guidebook?
"Stallion Fight." 6 pp r/v.
"Is the Yellowstone Dying?" 5 pp.
"Hollywood Eats." 5 pp.
3.. CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS.
VON TEMPSKI, ARMINE. Approx. 63 Autograph Letters Signed, 1932-1943, most posted, some notes left around the house, to Al Ball, written while traveling for work, detailing their relationship. WITH: Approx. 30 ALSs of von Tempski to her mother-in-law Lili Ball, 1930s. AND WITH: Approx. 20 ALSs to close friend Anne Alexander, 1933-1943.
CORRESPONDENCE TO ARMINE VON TEMPSKI: includes letters from family, friends and other celebrities such as DAL HOLCOMB, DON BLANDING, ZANE GREY, CHARMIAN LONDON, FREDDIE O'BRIEN, BLACKY FREITAS, ISABEL FIELD, etc. 1920s-1943.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AGENTS AND PUBLISHERS: 1927-43, including letters from FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY, DODD, MEAD & CO., DUELL, SLOAN & PEARCE; GEORGE PALMER PUTNAM, and MACINTOSH & OTIS, 1927-1950s, discussing publication issues, placement of stories in various outlets, works in progress, etc. Includes correspondence with the von Tempski estate.
DIARY FROM CHARMIAN LONDON: A pocket daily calendar for 1936 with presentation inscription from Charmian London, used by von Tempski as a daily journal, approx. three-quarters of the pages full.
JOURNALS: Typed and Autograph Manuscripts, approx. 150 pp, 8vo, 1920s-1940s, covers life before and during marriage, travels.
4. PHOTO ALBUMS AND SCRAPBOOKS.
Assembled by Armine von Tempski:
1. Album, c.1907-1919, assembled by Armine von Tempski while on Hawaii, includes images of von Tempski and others bathing, riding, cattle roping; approximately 150 photos, most 3 x 5 inch gelatin silver prints, many with annotations by von Tempski.
Assembled by Al Ball:
2. Al Ball childhood photo album, c.1907 up to the time of meeting and marrying von Tempski (1933). Approx 200 snapshots.
3. Vacation 1933.
4. "The Ideal Scrapbook." 1935. Sketch by Don Blanding; photos of Hawaiian ranch by Herbert Cloke; Zane Grey large format portrait inscribed to AVT; 2 signed portraits of Harold Bell Wright; signed photo of Hamid Bey, Hollywood, 1935; plus other photos and clippings.
5. "1935." House at 8631 Lookout Mountain; Charmian London visiting; Hollywood Bowl and Chinese theater; Don Blanding's study; Big Tujunga Canyon (Jan 1935) with Hamid Bey; Bakersfield; Santa Anita Racetrack; Salton Sea and Palm Springs; Warm Springs Cherry Festival; yachting; Sequoia Park; summer camping trip; Yellowstone; Redwood Highway; Nordhoff Ruins; Jack...
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