1) Parkey Plans To Self-Publish A Book

A short series of letters to newspaper columnist Paul Coates in 1959

Jan 14, 2020

In the 1950s, popular Los Angeles newspaper columnist Paul Coates always ended the week with some letters from readers, a typical ploy in the days when columnists published six times a week; which was a punishing schedule. A colorful character from Palo Alto, California named Parkey Sharkey often wrote in with wild and zany stories. Many of Coates readers believed that Parkey was a fictional character created to boost the popularity of the column.

Parkey Sharkey is soon to be a published writer…

Dec. 22, 1959

To Paul Coates,

Paul I am enclosing a sixty dollar money order I want you to hold for me. My old girl friend of 20 years ago gave it to me toward getting my book published. She said, “Parkey get that book in print and you might be a rich man.” She gave me seventy-five dollars cash, but I kept $15 for expenses.

If I keep the sixty, Paul, it will burn a hole in my pocket. Please hold it until I am ready to have my book published. You don’t have to donate anything to it, but if I can raise $85 more I can make a deal with a printer on the Peninsula up here. I will try and tap the Perffeser if his wife isn’t around. Hold my sixty dollars, Paul, don’t let go of it until I am ready to publish my book.

P.S. Paul, don’t let me down!

(Signed) Parkey Sharkey
2077 Bay Road, East Palo Alto.

Dec. 24, Christmas Eve

Paul,

Did you get my money order for sixty dollars??? Hang on to it, keep it in a safe place. I just need $85.00 more and I will finally become an author.

Paul, if I get drunk and call you up for the money don’t listen to me. This is my chance. I hope it got to you all right, Paul, and take care of it.

(Signed) Parkey Sharkey
2077 Bay Road, East Palo Alto.

Dec. 26, 1959

To Paul,

Don’t lose my sixty bucks Paul, hang on to it for me. When I get my book published you can put me on your TV program and I can tell about how many years I took to write it and get it published.

Remember, Paul, if I ask you for the sixty bucks before I am ready to get my book published, don’t send it to me. Hang on to it.

(Signed) Parkey Sharkey
2077 Bay Road, East Palo Alto.

Dec. 27, 1959

To Paul Coates,

Paul, I haven’t heard from you about my sixty bucks, I hope you have it in a safe place.

I will make a deal with a publisher this week. My book will be a dollar a copy and should sell like hot cakes, Paul.

Things are really looking good for me now. Pretty soon I will be an author.

Paul, don’t lose my sixty bucks or everything will fall through. Don’t forget, if I get loaded on beer and ask for the money don’t you send it to me. Guard it with your life.

(Signed) Parkey Sharkey
2077 Bay Road, East Palo Alto.

[COLLECT TELEGRAM]

PALO ALTO, CALIF 29 DEC 59 10:56 AM. PAUL COATES. SEND ME MY MONEY ORDER $60 RIGHT AWAY. IMPORTANT. I HAVE A TRAFFIC TICKET TO PAY OFF. SIGNED PARKEY SHARKEY