UNION VERLAG STUTTGART

Mr.
Harry E. Rieseberg
6280 Pentz Road
PARADISE, Butte County
Calif., U. S. A.

STUTTGART, Hohenzollernstraße 1

Postfach 326 Febr. 6, 1959

III/B/br

Dear Mr. Rieseberg,

Thank you very much for your letter of January 27, 1959. As requested, two jackets for "ICH TAUCHE NACH SCHÄTZEN" published by us will be mailed to your address, two jackets for the original edition and two for the abridged youth edition that is.

The contents of your letter were read with real interest and we shall appreciate receiving the manuscript of your new book "SEARCHING FOR SUNKEN TREASURE", provided that the contents of your new work are substantially different from our book "ICH TAUCHE NACH SCHÄTZEN".

We would appreciate receiving one copy of the inexpensive edition of "DIVING FOR SUNKEN TREASURE" with your manuscript so that we can see the get-up of this book.

Would you, at the same time, please inform us of the terms on which you are prepared to let us have the German rights.

Very truly yours,
UNION VERLAG STUTTGART
Abt. Herstellung

Handelsgerichtlicher Firmeneintrag: Union Verlag Stuttgart Dr. Beck, Dr. Winners & Co. Fernsprecher 7 48 41-43

Telegramm-Adresse: Unionverlag Württembergische Bank Stuttgart 1434 Landeszentralbank Stuttgart 5/8231

Deutsche Bank Stuttgart 45653 Städtische Girokasse Stuttgart 18600 Postschedtkonto Stuttgart 17

Dec.21.1959

Mr. Harry Rieseberg
6280 Pentz Road
Paradise, Butte Co.
Calif.

Dear Mr. Rieseberg:

Dodd Mead and Co. informed me today that their Nov. 1. accounting amounted to $104. - for I DIVE FOR TREASURE. Since then, they have $50 in royalties accumulated for you, which will be accounted for with the next statement.

I have informed David N. Fields, Mr. Pauker's attorney about this and as Mr. Pauker's illness prevents me from discussing these matters with him, we will just have to do our best to find the money due to you.

I assure you that from the first moneys coming to Dr. Pauker through this office, I will pay you the amount due to you.

Meanwhile please read the enclosed letter and let me know how you feel about it. I have discussed this offer with Mr. Dodd and he explained to me that although your contractual royalty on the sale of 1,500 copies would amount to $525 (10% of the retail price of $3.50 per copy), they would like to make this interim deal with you in order to keep the book circulating. Also, you would not have to wait for half-yearly accountings, but would get the offered price in one lumpsum.

I would like to add for your information that this is not unusual in the publishing business and that it would in no case change your basic contract with DODD MEAD CO.

They have asked me whether you have written anything else that could be of interest for their company.

Please let me have your answer to all these matters as soon as possible.

AIRMAIL

Immediate Attention

December 26th, 1959.

Mrs. Elizabeth Marton,
Martonplay, Ltd.,
1501 Broadway,
New York 36, New York.

Dear Mrs. Marton:-

I have your airmail letter of the 21st instant together with
the request from Dodd, Mead & Company of October 5, which had never
been forwarded to me for action. I am returning this latter with
signed acceptance, so remit the check for same, as soon as Dodd,
Mead & Company sends it to you in accordance with their statement
therein.

Now, back to your letter again.

Glad to note that there is a due accounting for I DIVE FOR TREASURE as of their usual date of November 1st. This, too, you may remit immediately. Thought last month something was irregular back there with Dr. Fauker's office, as he has never failed to remit royalties since 1942 on time. I assume that he is incapitated too great to carry-on, and I am quite sirry. It's been quite a long time since we had met.

Regarding your last paragraph in which you advise "They (Dodd, Mead & Co.) have asked me whether you have written anything else that could be of interest for their company," I might advise that I have had three youth publications published, two by Henry Holt & Co., and one by Samuel Gabriel & Sons, sometime ago, which, when I queried them they advised they weren't interested. Just this past month I have completed a book-length 65,000-word biography of William Phips, and at the moment it is at its first publisher for consideration (Duell, Sloane & Pearce). Dodd, Mead & Company were not interested, they advised, when I queried them some months ago, while writing the manuscript. Don't know whether this first submission to a publisher will jell or not; they usually don't, but it will finally be accepted., by someone.

Here's something else to ponder on. Back in 1954 Popular Library, Inc., printed 150,000 copies of my I DIVE FOR TREASURE in paperback. Damn few people were able on the West Coast to obtain

PRESERVATION PHOTOCOPY: ORIGINAL MATERIAL RESTRICTED

January 15th, 1960.

Lieut. Harry E. Risseberg,
6280 Pentz Road,
Paradise, California.

Dear Lieutenant Risseberg:

Thank you for your letter of January 11th and the galley of your article THE TREASURE OF THE BAHAMA SEA. I read it immediately and I am certainly looking forward to reading the book from which this article was compiled.

I noted that you have an agent, Jacques Chambrun, for this book so I see no reason why I should interfere. I am sure that Mr. Chambrun will do everything that has to be done in connection with this matter. However, I have done one thing and I hope you don't mind it. I have submitted your article to 20th Century Fox, as I know that they are looking for historic material. The only objection in connection with a motion picture project could be that there is really no danger of any serious kind or urgency in the story except the usual complications that come up in connection with such an undertaking. Nevertheless, I feel that Sir William Phipps' character is interesting and colorful enough to build a motion picture around his treasure hunting venture. Perhaps it would be a good idea to correct the erroneous date of January 8, 1967 in the 10th line from the bottom on galley #52, if you send it out again.

Please let me know, in case I am met with interest by 20th Century Fox or another motion picture company, whether I should contact you or Mr. Chambrun.

Dodd, Mead & Company have notified me that their check for $300. will be in the mail on January 19th and I will forward the sum, less the 10% commission, to you immediately.

I am enclosing a copy of the royalty report received from Dodd, Mead dated August 1, 1959, and received by Mrs. Pauker in November. I am also enclosing my check for $93.88 which constitutes your income from this accounting.

I notice that you always ask for immediate attention in your letters. Perhaps this is because you have not received attention for some time, the reasons for which I am sure are now clear to you. Please be sure that your letters get immediate attention anyway, even without your especially calling for it from now on. In reply to your inquiry, please note that I have taken over Dr. Pauker's work as he is an old family friend and in-capacitated. Dr. Pauker is a rather old man and in ill health. As much as we all would like to see him resume work, I doubt that he will be able to do so. As my office is very active, you will find, if you inquire, that it has an excellent reputation. I hope very much that we will be able to continue the business relationship that you had with Dr. Pauker before.

EMik
EMAC

January 15, 1960

Lieutenant Harry Rieseberg
6280 Pentz Road
Paradise, Butte County
California

Dear Lieutenant Rieseberg:

We have been told by Martinplay, Ltd. that you are willing to accept a lump sum payment of $300 in lieu of royalty on a new printing of 1500 copies of I DIVE FOR TREASURE. We do appreciate your cooperation.

However, there is a slight hitch as to whom the check should go. Our contract to you instructs us to make all royalty payments to Edmond Pauker, Inc. A check was so drawn and sent to Martinplay, Ltd. They have now asked us to make the check out to Edmond Pauker (without the Inc.). Our legal advisors will be tell us that it would be best we get your approval before doing this.

If you agree that this and future royalty payments can be made to Edmond Pauker, and not to Edmond Pauker, Inc., would you so signify by signing on the line at the foot of the copy of this letter enclosed and return this copy in the enclosed envelope.

My thanks for your cooperation.

S. Phelps Platt, Jr.
Executive Vice President

APPROVED

January 16th, 1960.

Mrs. Elisabeth Marton,
MARTONPLAY, Ltd.,
1501 Broadway,
New York 36, New York.

Dear Mrs. Marton:-

Just received your airmail, together with check for $93.88 as part payment on royalties for past six months, with advice that the balance will come along this week from Dodd, Mead & Company for arrangement. Thanks. I am going to answer your letter hurriedly at this time, as I was quite interested in your remarks and interest in the condensed article about William Phips, which you say you have submitted to 20th Century Fox.

Well, let's get back to that matter later, and it will interest you, I'm quite certain.

I might advise that along with your letter this morning came one from Dodd, Mead & Company, enclosing a new release for me to sign to get the above-mentioned payment. They want it signed without the "Inc." This I have done and have already mailed it this morning airmail. I enclose the extra copy they sent along, for your files and interest. In their letter they advise that it will be mailed to you as soon as this release change is mailed back.

Now, back to your interesting data about the galley proof article on Phips. You are aware that Universal-International Pictures produced an epic technicolor production titled CITY BE-NATH THE SEA, written by me, and co-starred with Anthony Quinn, Mala Powers, Robert Ryan and the late Suzan Ball. I was technical advisor on it as I discovered the sunken remainsof the city; also toured the country making Tv appearances, radio broadcasts, press conferences, etc., for some months, an appearing with Suzan Ball at many premieres. I requested, through an effort, sometime ago, and obtained a release of the rights to re-write (or have the syory re-written by someone else) and resell same, as I wasn't sold on their ideas of production and story. I have all this release on hand now. But this is of no interest to you, just a matter of information for your files.

Now, about the galley proff story. This was published in a medium called TRADITION MAGAZINE, now changed title. Then I wrote another book-length manuscript (from which the tear sheets you sent to 20th Century Fox were condensed) tentatively titled "THE TREASURE OF THE AMBROGIAN REEFS". This was the biography of William Phips. It is this book length manuscript which Jacques

2

Chambrun now has the rights to sell and place. I am certain that he will cooperate with you in making a sale to any studio that you might have a lead. I am quite pleased that you found the material so interesting that you took the obligation to send it along without asking me. Good luck! With the strike on among writers you might make a deal as nothing new will be produced by them during said strike. True, too, this is purely historical, yet it reads like an adventure story, much different from the usual bored biography of so many books. It would make a most colorful production being mostly in the Caribbean, where color predominates. Get in touch with Chambrun and work it out. Make it a double-agent's percentage if you like; I'll agree. How about it?

As to your inquiry, asking that I advise you in case you met with 20th Century Fox or another motion picture company, whether you should contact me or Mr. Chambrun, I will first advise that you go to it and botn Chambrun and myself will agree with you, I am certain, and the book he now has (manuscript I mean) will make the package more interesting. Right?

Sorry about Dr. Pauker. Have had considerable trouble from time to time in getting an answer from him, so always tried to hurry things along by typing "immediate attention" on my letters.

Now, Mrs. Marton, here's something which also may or may not prove of interest to you. I wrote a book length manuscript tentatively titled *SEASCAPE* — a fantasy novel based upon fact and fiction, the characters each desiring to escape from convention on a fantastic treasure hunt which I head. My name, naturally, in the manuscript could be eliminated for picture use. It don't sound good as a party taking part, I'm certain. Had a "Von" on it originally.

Continuing the same, the manuscript has 70,000 words, with what a former producer at U-I advised was a terrific plot and should be a most interesting picture if produced with changes, but a most valuable base for an epic production to build from with the present plot. The manuscript wouldn't go as a book, I'm certain without more background description of locale and other scenic build-up, but for a motion picture original it has everything he tells me. To me, though, it sounds like another one of Jerry Louis's spectacular flops! What do you think? Would you be interested in this? It has never been submitted to anyone as yet, either agent or publisher. Are such types of material ever sold as is? Let me know on this, and if you really are interested, I will send it along to you.

Acres of Paradise,
6280 Pentz Road,
Paradise, Calif.

P.S.- I was quite well acquainted with the studios a few years ago, but have hibernated up here in the snow country for four years away from smog, traffic, make-believe and the breeding of defense workers brats!

February 2nd, 1960.

Mrs. Elisabeth Marton,
Martonplay Ltd.,
1501 Broadway,
New York 36, New York.

Dear Mrs. Marton:-

I wish to acknowledge the receipt of your check ($270.00) payment of Dodd, Mead & Company, less your 10% commission. Thanks.

Under separate cover, as you requested, I have sent both manuscripts (originals): *THE TREASURE OF THE MABROG-IAN REEFS*, a biography of William Phipps; and too, the second one, namely *"SEASCAPE."* You may handle both entirely and exclusively now since Jacques Chambrun returned the former after my suggestion he work with you, and contact you by phone about the galley proof.

These, naturally are not completed for publication, but I believe they would make terrific historical and fantasy (comedy) motion picture backgrounds or basic material.

I was watching Ed Wynn and Bert Lahr this evening in their spectacular hour snow, and the thought came to me that "SEASCAPE" would make a different and terrific new idea for a group of comics to take each part except the two serious leads. Give it some thought when you get time to read it.

By the way my agent in London, who handles all my articles and stories( John Farquharson Ltd., 15 Red Lion Square,) has advised me should I get anything sold in the book line or movie, etc., he'd like to handle it over there. But I note that you have a("Ltd") after your name. Therefore it must mean you handle same there, so that is alright, too.

P.S.- You know that "SEASCAPE" was worked out when I met Bill Phipps, a Hollywood actor and one-time protégé of Charles Laughton, living with the Laughton's at Palos Verdes. (My cousin happens to be Leo McCarey).

BIOGRAPHY MS (183 pp.)

Ed Gerson

Feb. 12, 1960

THE TREASURE OF THE AMBROJIAN REEFS

by
Harry B. Rieseberg & George G. Strem

**Locale:** Boston, London, Caribbean
**Time:** 17th Century

**Theme:** A tough New England sea captain of the 17th Century gets a commission from London to search for treasure in sunken Spanish ships in the Caribbean. He locates one of the wrecks and raises its precious cargo. He is later knighted and named Governor of the Massachusetts Colony.

**Summary:** WILLIAM PHIPS, a sturdy Maine lad, came to Boston in 1673. He found work in a shipyard and soon fell in love with MARY SPENCER HULL, the daughter of a ship captain. There were some objections to their marriage, for she was older than he, a widow, and of higher station. A year passed before these were overcome and they were married. William then became skipper of a coastwise vessel, making several trips to the West Indies. There he learned about the Spanish fleet that went down in a hurricane in 1643. The galleons, loaded with treasure, supposedly lay off some treacherous reefs near the Bahamas.

He became obsessed with thoughts of raising the treasure and becoming famous and rich. Several years went by and William finally had his own ship built. But catastrophe struck when it was destroyed in the Boston fire of 1679. Three years later he said goodbye to Mary and took passage for London to plead with CHARLES II for a commission to search for the Spanish treasure. Winning the friendship of the DUKE OF ALBERMARLE who helped him at the Royal Court, William secured the backing of the King and a syndicate of aristocrats who hoped to replenish their own fortunes.

With a surly, case-hardened crew, William sailed his new ship, "Sallee Rose" first to Boston, then to Nassau. In Caribbean waters, after leaving Nassau, the crew tried to take over the ship and turn pirates. William, stern and unbending as his Puritan ancestors, nipped the plot by flogging its leader, PETER O'CONNELL. After the twentieth lash of the whip the Irishman was dead. Near the Silver Banks Reef he stopped at a small island. There an old Spaniard named GONZALES gave William a map purporting to show the location of the sunken fleet. Sure that he was now close to the final effort, William sailed the ship back to Fort Royal, Haiti, dumped his crew and signed on a new one.

He headed straight for Ambrosia Shoals, the site marked on the Spaniard's map. But he could find no trace of treasure, and with provisions low and the ship in bad shape, was forced to return to London.

2.

The Duke of Albermarle and his friends showed their confidence in the Yankee mariner by offering him two ships for another try at the treasure. William commanded the James and Mary; his former first officer, FRANCIS ROGERS, took the Rose of London. It was back to Boston for them, and William was briefly reunited with his wife, Mary, then to the Caribbean. Following the Spanish map, very carefully this time, William had his ships anchor in Silver Shoals, the Ambrogian Reef area off the Bahamas. Native divers were hired. Working from small boats and equipped with primitive diving bells, they patiently explored the bottom.

It was Rogers' divers who made the great discovery. They located one of the sixteen sunken ships, the Leon de Oro, and began pulling from it silver bars, chests of doubloons and ingots. William was elated. After all his years of preparation, he had realized his dream. The divers worked day after day, coming up with more and more treasure. William watched the skies fearfully, fearing a sudden hurricane. At last, with provisions low on both ships and the divers exhausted and suffering from the pressure of the depths, he gave up the project and set sail for London.

The crew, sworn to secrecy, was looking forward to its share of the profits. All the way back to England, William watched for signs of privateers - for word of his enterprise had gotten around in the West Indies. Off the coast of France, a French ship gave chase. After many anxious hours of fleeing, William's ships made port in England. The treasure haul was weighed and assayed. It came to more than thirty tons and was estimated at two million dollars. William's share was eighty thousand dollars, a vast fortune in those days. He was feted by the aristocrats who had backed him. He was called to Windsor Castle and knighted by JAMES II.

Appointed High Sheriff of Massachusetts he went home to Boston and his wife, the ever faithful Mary. But by accepting this post, William found that he had become unpopular with the colonists who were burdened by the Crown's high taxes. Soon, however, he clashed with the English-born Governor, ANDROS, and resigned as High Sheriff. Recognized now as a champion of the colonists, William became a favorite in Boston. Ten months after the overthrow of James II, the new King, WILLIAM III, who reigned with Queen MARY, evolved with New England leaders a compromise charter for the colony.

The Boston delagation was unanimous in their choice of Governor. And so, in January of 1692, William Phips, native of Monsweg, Maine, was named to the office. With the help of his wife Mary he steered a course that made his administration an outstanding one. Three years later, while in London on official business, he died at the age of fourty-four. In an obscure section of a London graveyard rests the remains of the man who, fishing treasure from a Spanish galleon, rose to the highest office in the great Massachusetts Colony.

February 29th, 1960.

Mrs. Elisabeth Marton,
MARTONPLAY LTD.,
1501 Broadway,
New York 36, New York.

Dear Mrs. Marton:-

Relative to your request that I forward to you the
two book-length original manuscripts which we discussed
in December, namely:

THE TREASURE OF THE AMBROGIAN REEFS
SEASCAPE

I wish to inquire whether you received these pieces. I mailed them to you immediately and requested that you be so good as to acknowledge same, which as yet hasn't been done. I enclose stamped envelope for this service.

I am enclosing a pre-release copy of THE FAMILY WEEKLY for release yesterday to 188 newspapers throughout the country, for their Sunday supplement magazine. This has a total circulation of 5,000,000 copies. On pages 18 and 19 there is a two-page spread of one of my activities.

With this circulation it goes over the 2,000,000,000 mark for circulation of the magazines and printed mediums throughout the world which I have written and had published. OUTDOORS and REAL WEST came out today with other pieces in print by me, and nine additional releases will appear before the month of March is out. Just thought you would like to see this as a sample.

March 9th, 1960.

Dear Mrs. Marton:-

Thought this matter might prove of interest to you.

Last evening, about eleven o'clock, my telephone up
here in the mountains rang. It was an old friend of my
residence down in San Fernando Valley, whose family and
mine went together for years. Tom McKinney, who is an
official for one of the larger defense outfits there, and
who, when I first worked out the rough draft of the manu-
script _THE TREASURE OF THE AMBROGIAN REEFS_ (_TREASURE OF
THE BAHAMA SEA_), thought it would make a terrific motion
picture. McKinney also was aware and read the original
manuscript of _SEASCAPE_. Both of which you requested and
are in your agency.

Tom's telephone call was to learn whether I had plac-
ed either of these manuscripts, especially the former one,
as he had come quite friendly with some chap, I believe
from the conversation to be a partner with some independent
motion picture outfit (I think in which Rooney has some in-
terest), and this chap was terrifically interested in what
he (McKinney) had described about the manuscript in quest-
ion during their meeting at his home in Sherman Oaks.

I advised him that these had just recently been plac-
ed in your agency, you having taken over from my former
agent, and that he could contact you. I gave him your name
and address and, I presume, he'll get in touch with you
shortly. Therefore, govern your actions accordingly.

P.S.- Mr. Thomas McKinney's address is 5124 Nagle Avenue,
Sherman Oaks, San Fernando Valley, California.

3/16/60

Dear Böske,

I am forwarding this
because I just happened on
it in a pile of miscellaneous
correspondence.

I hope all is going
well, and that you had a
pleasant visit with George
when he was here.

3571 Appleton Street N.W.
Washington 8, D. C.

March 16.1960

Thomas McKinney
Nagel Avenue
Man Oaks, Calif.

March 18th, 1960.

Mr. Kinney:

for your letter of March 60., concerning
THE AMBROGIAN REEP" by H.S.Rioeberg.

I am able to send you the manuscript in two
ays, as soon as I get it back from 20.Cent.Fox

Films, to whom I have submitted it. I know that their
I am rendering it an excellent report, but I had no direct
litho'reaction" so far. I am to get the script back tomorrow or
McKinney the day after tomorrow.

Please be kind enough to keep me informed about the fate
of the script as soon as you can.

Copy to Mr. Riossberg

March 16.1960

Mr. Thomas McKinney
5124 Nagel Avenue
Sherman Oaks, Calif.

March 18th, 1960.

Lieut. Harry B. Rieseberg,
Acres of Paradise,
6260 Plants Dear Mr. Kinney:
Paradise, Butte Co., California.

Thank you for your letter of March 60., concerning
Dear TREASURE OR THE AMBROGIAN REEF by H.E.Rieseberg.

I hope to be able to send you the manuscript in two
on three days, as soon as I get it back from 20.Cent.Fox
Films, to whom I have submitted it. I know that their
I am ready to give it an excellent report, but I had no direct

Copy to Mr. Rieseberg

April 10th, 1960.

Mrs. Elisabeth Marton,
Martonplay, Ltd.,
1501 Broadway,
New York 36, New York.

Dear Mrs. Marton:-

A year ago I queried the enclosed publisher of my
former books in Germany about publishing in book form a
youth's book which appeared as an article in BOYS' LIFE
MAGAZINE. This was titled SEARCHING FOR SUNKEN TREASURE.
They didn't like it because it was only 10,000 words,
more or less.

However, the thought has come to me that you may
find this of interest for a foreign sale of TREASURE OF
THE AMBROGIAN REEFS, the story of Phips. If so, you may
take over from this, or file it in your waste basket.

Just an idea.

A I R M A I L

July 30th, 1960.

Dear Mrs. Marton:-

I have just returned here and in checking through my
outstanding records, I notice that nothing has been heard
from you since last February relative to the two book-
length manuscripts which you requested of me that month.

These two manuscripts were, as your records will show,
as follows:

TREASURE OF AMBROGIAN REEFS (BAHAMA)

SEASCAPE

Will you be so good as to advise me what action has
been taken since then. I do know that you submitted one
of these manuscripts to some independent producer in Holly-
wood, as you advised.

Thanking you for your courtesy in this matter, how-
ever after six months nothing being heard, I am anxious to
ascertain their status.

# FOREWORD

This biography of William Pips, the hardy treasure-hunter who salvaged the treasure of the Plate Flota which had sunk to the bottom of the Caribbean Sea in the night of the 16th of November, 1643, as a result of a terrible hurricane, is based on authentic documents.

The authors did not believe that it was incumbent upon them to establish the character of their hero. On the contrary, it seemed to them that it was their duty to depict him as he appeared to them through the chronicles of his time: a man whose manners were rude, sometimes to the point of savagery, but who believed in what he was doing and was determined to pursue the goal which he had set to himself, till victory has crowned his efforts. He was a man never to be discouraged by adverse circumstances and who finished by compelling Fortune by dint of courting her with a stubborn assiduity. It is this courage, accompanied by competence in the one task that he was determined to accomplish which makes him a worthy representative of his time and of the best qualities of his race.

Such qualities as courage, determination, competency in a particular field are generally the guarantees of success; they are today, perhaps more than at any other time, indispensable to the humans. Our story therefore may, from this point of view, deserve and solicit the interest of the reader.

Harry E. Rieseberg
George G. Strem