The Autographs of Harper LeeNelle Harper Lee was born on April 26, 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama, a small town near Montgomery. She was the youngest of three children. Like Atticus Finch, her father was a lawyer. Truman Capote, who later became famous for his short stories and novels, was one of her childhood friends. Some believe that Capote was the inspiration for the character Dill in "To Kill a Mockingbird." The setting for "To Kill a Mockingbird" is the town of Maycomb, which from the book's description is a lot like Monroeville. Scout, the youngest child of Atticus, is the little girl telling the story. Scout and her older brother Jem are thought to be modeled after Nellie and her older brother. Some people believe Alabama's famous (or infamous) "Scottsboro Trials" is the inspiration for Tom Robinson's trial in the book. But others find similarities between Tom Robinson's trial and the "Emmett Till murder" in Mississippi. "To Kill a Mockingbird" was published in 1960. The book was the first and last novel that Harper Lee wrote, and it is a tribute to both the book and the author that her reputation as one of America's great storytellers was built on that one book. In 1961, she received the 1961 Pulitzer Prize in Literature for "To Kill a Mockingbird." The book was on the bestseller lists for 88 weeks, and by 1995, the 35th anniversary of its publication, it had had sold 30 million copies. Each year a million people around the world read the book. Horton Foote's screenplay for "To Kill a Mockingbird" was released to theaters in 1962. Gregory Peck won an Oscar for his portrayal of Atticus Finch, and Foote won an Academy Award for "Best Adaptation of Material from Another Medium." Harper Lee divides her time between New York City and Monroeville. She has always avoided publicity and at best only tolerates autographs. She avoids going places where she knows people will ask her to sign and she will bolt for the door if she thinks somebody is about to ask. She has never been a recluse, but she is known as very private person who treasures her privacy. Her autograph is very desirable. The preferred item for most collectors is an autographed copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Original signed first editions are out of the price range for most collectors, but anniversary first editions are affordable to many. I have seen autographed 35th Editions listing for as much as $2500. I suppose at that price a premium is being paid for the dealer's credibility. I do think that with a little time and effort authentic copies can be found for much less. Several years ago I sold an authentically signed 35th Edition of "To Kill a Mockingbird" for $250.
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