Dear Patricia Highsmith:

I first want to tell you that, having just done some research on the U.S. in the anti-homosexual, witch hunt era of the 1950s, I am more than ever astonished at the character of your achievement The Price of Salt.  I congratulate you.

As the author of the book Gay American History: Lesbians and Gay Men in the U.S.A. (1976), I am continuing my research on the subject for anew volume.

I’m writing to ask if, in any published interview or essay, you’ve discussed the publishing history of The Price of Sale, and how you came to write it?  If you have not written or been interviewed about this, I wonder if you would care to tell me some of this history, preferably for publication in my new volume, but if not for publication, then just for my own interest.  I will deeply appreciate any information on this you can give me.

If you have not seen a copy of my book I would be glad to send you a copy.

Jonathan Katz