To Alan Collins [Letter 421]

April 7, 1950

Mr. Alan C. Collins
Curtis Brown, Ltd.
347 Madison Avenue
New York 17, N.Y.

Dear Alan:

I would like to ask you to do me a personal favor. I have just heard from Archie Ogden that he has become editor of Appleton-Century—and, of course, you can imagine how delighted I was to hear that he is back in the publishing business. He told me that he is to start working in about two weeks, but he did not know the exact date. Would you find out from some nice spy at Appleton what day Archie will start there, and then would you send him some flowers in my name. I would like the flowers to be there in his office on his first day. I will leave the choice and cost up to your judgment, but I want the flowers to be as beautiful as one can make them for a man’s office without becoming ostentatious. Would you please enclose a card just saying, “Ayn Rand,” and then please send me the bill.

I hope that this is not an imposition on you and I will appreciate it very much if you can do it. You know how much the event means to me.

With best regards from both of us to Catherine and yourself and our best wishes for your continued happiness.

Sincerely,

Ayn Rand

AR:je