Watch out, there is a guy on eBay trying to pass off a letter as signed by Mrs. Parker, and it isn't from her. Don't be fooled. Here is what I sent him, and what he sent back. Beware of fake Parker autographs, use this
online guide for reference.
My letter:Hey,
That Parker autograph on ebay isn't Mrs. Parker's signature, see my site:
http://www.dorothyparker.com/dgallery.htm
Also, I doubt at 63 years old she'd be an executive assistant!
Best,
Kevin Fitzpatrick
Dorothy Parker Society of New York
Seller Reply:Hello Kevin. After viewing the four choices you presented,I am definitely
confusd.I will agree that the autographed item I am selling looks more like
No. 4 than any other.After viewing several web sites searching for a
reasonable facsimile of her signature,I have to admit that none of your
examples come close to approaching the signatures found elsewhere,including
No.4.At this point,I don't know what to think.Several people have confirmed
this as an original signature,and an equal number think oppositely.I
personally feel that an example,such as mine,on Atheneum stationary,speaks
for itself.As always,our merchandise is guaranteed,to the best of our
knowledge,to be authentic. Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Norman Hedrick/Good Buyz Inc
My Reply:Norman,
I can appreciate the fact you did check around with autograph experts.
But the real reason this isn't the autograph of the former member of the
Round Table is that Mrs. Parker never worked at that publisher (and could
not have). In 1959 Mrs. Parker lived in Los Angeles with her second husband.
Her publisher was Viking Press for 50 years, she never worked at Atheneum,
and this Parker was a low-level secretary sending rejection letters to
aspiring writers -- not the same woman who won the Peabody and O. Henry
prizes.
This is well-known in the 3 Parker biographies.
Kevin Fitzpatrick
Posted by Kevin Fitzpatrick on Saturday, September 16, 2000 at 8:25 AM | Permalink 
