In his second letter, dated September 17, 1968, typed on matching stationery, Silverberg continues to offer advice to Reginald Bretnor. "I have no doubt at all of Mick's moral right to a clear field, and I suspect he's also got a legal right. I think -- though I'm not sure of this -- that Judy would step aside if she's made to see that she has, though in a well-meaning way, become an interloper...." He makes sure to clarify that the anthology is not a Science Fiction of America project. "Ashmead seemed to think we were taking it over. ... Our only official professional publication is the series of Nebula anthologies...." He goes on to offer his May 1957 story "Warm Man" for publication in the anthology "I was about 22 when I wrote it, and Tony helped me shape it with that tact and warmth that he always used in dealing with very young writers who showed a bit of promise...." Signed "Bob" in blue ink at bottom.

In his third letter, dated September 27, 1968 and densely typed on a 3-1/4 inch high by 5-1/2 inch wide postcard, Robert Silverberg notes that, with Larry Ashmead's withdrawal of the "Merril/Boucher book" the way is now clear for Bretner and McComas to proceed. He goes on to say that "Ashmead is absolutely sincere when he invites you to re-open the discussion with him in the event you can't sell the book elsewhere. ... Sine he misunderstands that the book will be an all-Boucher collection, maybe he'd proceed right away to buy it if he were told that its really an anthology...." Signed "Bob" in blue ink.

All are in fine condition.

The American science fiction writer Robert Silverberg (b. 1935) first started submitting stories to magazines while still in his early teens. He won the Hugo award for best new writer the year following publication of his first novel "Revolt on Alpha C" in 1955. Though he turned his attention to other subjects when the market for science fiction declined at the end of the 50's, he came back when Frederik Pohl offered him carte blanche in writing for the magazines he edited. Silverberg returned to writing novels with renewed vigor winning several Hugo and Nebula awards along the way.

The anthology of which Robert Silverberg writes was published in 2 volumes by Random House in 1970. The first volume was titled "Special Wonder: The Anthony Boucher Memorial Anthology or Fantasy and Science Fiction" and the second "Crimes and Misfortunes: The Anthony Boucher Memorial Anthology of Mysteries". Both were edited by J. Francis McComas. 
Price: 250.00 USD