STOUT, Rex (1886-1975). Typed letter signed (“Rex Stout”), to Mr. LaFleche, Brewster, NY, 1 July 1958.

Octavo, on personal stationery, fine condition.

Rex Stout on the U.S. Constitution, “the noblest political document that has ever been written.” Rex Stout writes to a fan of the Nero Wolfe novels in a reply to what the narrator, Archie Goodwin, meant by his comments on the Constitution. In part, “I can’t say that I remember with precision what was in his mind (or mine). But since both he and I have always regarded the Constitution of the United States as the most moving, most eloquent, and noblest political document that has ever been written, certainly no sneer was intended. Don’t you think Archie probably meant that most Americans are not as familiar with the Constitution of the United States as they should be; that most of them usually have one or more old envelopes in their pocket or bag; and that it might be a good thing if the Constitution was on the back of one of those envelopes? I do. I admit it would be a tight fit and they might need a magnifying glass to read it, but Archie sometimes slings language rather carelessly.”

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