Charles Jackson / The Lost Weekend Collector Bundle
Charles Jackson / The Lost Weekend Collector Bundle
Inscribed 1944 Book + Signed 1943 Letter + Film Photo + Grapevine Reprints
Overview
Offered here is a beautifully “story-driven” collector bundle centered on Charles R. Jackson’s landmark novel The Lost Weekend—a small, cohesive group of pieces that clearly belonged together. Rather than a single signed book, this is a mini-archive that captures The Lost Weekend in motion: the manuscript being refined, the book appearing in print, and the A.A. world responding in real time through Grapevine coverage and meeting appearances.
At the heart of the bundle are two association pieces tied to the same recipient, Chase Horton: a typed letter signed by Jackson (Aug. 13, 1943) written while he was still rewriting the manuscript, and a signed/inscribed copy of The Lost Weekend dated Feb. 1, 1944. While we have not confirmed definitive biographical details on Horton, the materials themselves strongly suggest he moved in the same New York–area alcoholism/recovery-adjacent circles as Jackson and Bill Wilson—exactly the kind of behind-the-scenes network where manuscripts were read, ideas were shared, and introductions were made.
What’s Included
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Typed letter to Chase Horton from Charles R. Jackson — signed
- Dated: August 13, 1943
- Mentions ongoing rewrites and includes the key line about being glad to have “Mr Bill Wilson” see the manuscript.
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The Lost Weekend by Charles R. Jackson (1944) — signed & warmly inscribed to Chase Horton
- Original dust jacket present
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Inscription (as written):
“For Chase Horton —
Who alone knows the passages in this book the author can take no credit for. Many Thanks!
Charlie — Feb 1st ’44”
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Original photograph from the film The Lost Weekend (as shown)
- A tangible piece of the book’s cultural afterlife—an image artifact tied to one of the most important alcoholism films ever made.
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Three Grapevine article reprints (context pieces)
- January 1945: “Charles Jackson Speaks at Hartford A.A.”
- December 1945: “The Lost Weekend On Screen Retains Horror of the Book” (by Marty Mann)
- April 1947: Grapevine mention of Jackson speaking informally at a meeting in Bermuda (quote included in your notes)
Why This Bundle Matters
This is the kind of grouping collectors hope to find: not just “signed,” but documented, threaded, and human. The 1943 letter plants the story right in the working life of the book—Jackson under deadline pressure, revising, coordinating readers, and explicitly connecting the manuscript to Bill Wilson. The 1944 inscription then shows the relationship continuing into publication, with language that reads like a sincere private thank-you rather than a routine autograph.
Add the Grapevine reprints, and the bundle becomes even more compelling: it demonstrates that The Lost Weekend was not merely a successful novel—it was part of the mid-1940s alcoholism conversation that A.A. members, friends, and pioneers were actively engaging. The film photo completes the arc, linking the literary artifact to the wider public impact that helped shape how alcoholism was portrayed and discussed.
Letter (Transcription)
August 13, 1943
"Dear Chase.....
I was just leaving for Chicago last Tuesday noon and didn't have time to 'phone you about the very nice note you left with the manuscript.
After my re-writes (some of them suggested by yourself) I will be very happy to have Mr Bill Wilson see the MS, and thank you for suggesting it. Farrar & Rinehart has given me till Sept. 10th, only, to make the few changes I wish to make; and after that, I'll have a better copy, and will see that you get one for Mr Wilson.
Incidentally, Carl Brandt (of Brandt & Brandt) (my agent) is beginning to get interested in the A.A.'s (and, between you and me, needs to, I believe) - and of course he is most interested in the book. He asked me to go to one of your meetings with him, and I said I would, as soon as I got out from under this pressure of work. I return to New York Monday & may see you during the week. Again, many thanks for your ideas - and for reading the book. Love to Lois and Mrs. H.
Sincerely, Charles Jackson"
Condition
Book: Very Good overall. Solid, intact copy with clean pages; no writing or markings aside from Jackson’s inscription/signature.
Dust Jacket: Good, with edge wear, chipping, and small tears; still presentable and intact.
Letter / photo / reprints: Light handling wear consistent with age; please see photos for the most accurate view.
Collector Notes
Association groupings like this—letter + inscribed book to the same recipient, plus contextual ephemera—are scarce because they usually get separated over time. Kept together, they tell a fuller story than any single piece can: how a manuscript moved through trusted hands, how the finished book landed, and how A.A.’s “meeting in print” responded.
