Correspondence between myself, other fans and Helene, 1989-1995

I wrote to Helene sometime in September 1989, telling her that I loved her books - and that I had been 2 months old when the final letter in '84 Charing Cross Road' was written... I mentioned that I was studying at University for a degree in mathematics, and signed my letter 'Angela M. Garry' (once you read her response you'll understand why I'm mentioning this!). I also included photos of the plaque which is still on the wall outside 84 Charing Cross Road (now the Covent Garden Record Store.) I was overjoyed when she replied to me with the following postcard:

Just in case you can't read Helene's writing, here's a translation:

Oct 17, 89
Well, my word, how lovely to hear from a baby-of-two-months who grew up to read not only "84" but all my other books, including "Underfoot" written ten years before you got here.
I shall be in awe of you when you get your Maths degree. (I flunked geometry.) Life is treating me very well, thank you - and I have to tell you that my middle name is Marjorie and I gave up the M when I was just about your age!
Thanks for the delightful letter.
Yrs, Helene Hanff
P.S. Thanks for the photos of the plaque.

In 1992, after 'Letter From New York' was published here in the UK, I wrote to Helene again, having read in a newspaper article that she had been interviewed by the BBC on their radio show, Women's Hour. In my letter, I asked Helene what she had said in the interview, and how her trip to London was. In my letter, I forgot to mention that I'd written to her before - hence, I think, her (possibly) standard opening phrase! My leter was sent on an open-out postcard, which had six pictures of various historic sites in Exeter on one side of the card, and space for writing on the other... She replied with the following:

Again, a translation in case you can't read her writing:

Sept 18, 92
Well, how lovely to hear from a reader who likes all my books. (I'm always in a state of nerves for fear each new book will disappoint readers who liked the old ones.)
I did 5 interviews a day during the 6 days I was in London, (came home worn out and promptly got pneumonia, which is why it's taken me so long to get to the mail) and I haven't the slightest idea what I said on Women's House or any other interview.
Loved the photos, especially Mol's House and the fabulous Cathedral Choir Chancel. Yrs -
Helene Hanff

In 1994, when I wrote to Helene again - this time I kept a copy of my letter (I'm not sure why - I certainly didn't know that three years later I would be hunting it out so that I could scan it in for inclusion in a web site!!!):

Again, she responded to my letter - this time inviting me to her apartment building to meet her!!

Again - a translation:

Oct 31, 94
Well, as long as you're planning to come and look at my building, why don't you just ask the doorman to buzz me (ring my kitchen buzzer) and I'll come down to the lobby and we can sit and chat for a few minutes. Come in the morning, I'm always here till lunchtime.
I'll try to arrange good weather for you.
Yrs Helene Hanff

My final letter to Helene, in late 1994, after my trip to New York, and having met with her (and given her a book of poems by the various people commemorated in Poets Corner in Westminster Abbey, plus some photos of Poets Corner itself - including a photo of John Donne's shroud). She signed all five of the books I'd taken with me - plus a copy of '84' which a New Zealander friend passed to me before my trip - begging me to get that signed too if at all possible. Whilst talking with her in her apartment building, I was also lucky enough to meet Nina and Richard (both of whom are mentioned in her books)...

And her response in January 1995...

Translation:

Jan 2, 95
I'm appalled (one p too many?) at how long it's taken me to write and thank you for the lovely Poet's Corner anthology. It corroborates the tale I'd heard of Ben Jonson being buried standing up because he couldn't afford a whole grave.
I didn't there there WAS (is) a Coca Cola store! Glad you saw so many sights.
Now you have to come back, to see the sights you missed. Happy New Year!
Helene Hanff

As you might guess, these postcards from Helene are my absolute pride and joy. I consider myself VERY lucky to have received them from her - and luckier still to have had the honour of meeting her. Helene Hanff was a very special person, and will remain so in my mind forever. She may be gone, but hopefully her books will last for many generations to come.

At this point, I'd just like to say a very big "Thank you" to Helene.

A fellow fan, Bob Wilson (who is one of the members of my HH email list - details of how to join are on the main page) has emailed me the following scanned picture, which he describes: "It's the card HH wrote to me after I sent a fan letter. A little background; 'Wolf Trap' is where I work, and it's a performing arts amphitheater of some renown. Helene may have heard of it because we've done a number of public television specials seen nationwide." If you'd like to see for yourself what Wolf Trap does, please visit the following site: Wolf Trap.

Translation:

By return mail yet! Thanks for joining what one fan calls The Hanff Ffan Club.
July 15, 93.
Funny you should ask: Maxine's career is having a rebirth. She's on a soap opera called "The Young and the Restless" - CBS, 11.am in Calif.)
Only book of mine you're missing is "The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street". If you have any second-hand bookshops, they might find you a copy. Pub. in 1973.
"Wolf Trap" is a very famous name to me but I've never known exactly what it was. Lovely to know, finally.
I used to go to D.C. for the cherry blossoms but I'm much too old and lazy these days.
Hope you like "Letter". Yrs - Helene Hanff.

If any other fans have cards from Helene that they would like to see included here, please email me! angela.garry@virgin.net