JANIS JOPLIN(1943 - 1970) American rock and blues singer who incorporated the styles of Bessie Smith and Billy Holliday producing albums with Big Brother and the Holding Company and Full Tilt Bogie Band. Died of a heroin overdose in 1970. Excessively rare A.L.S. "Janis", 5pp., 8vo., Port Arthur, Texas, Oct. 14, 1965 to her love, Peter De Blanc in New York. This fine letter was penned just months before Joplin's career took off and while was living at home with her parents, hoping to rebuild her life and recover from her drug abuse of the previous few years. During that time she sang in small venues in New York and San Francisco, where she first met De Blanc. Shortly after this letter, Joplin moved to Austin and then to San Francisco where she joined Big Brother and the Holding Company. In a very legible, clear hand, she writes in part: "...Today is our anniversary. Sigh. It's been pretty good, hasn't it? I love you XXX... I went and visited Karleen... She married a guy who is just an ordinary type person. He's a lot of fun, drinks w/ the boys, gambles... And really doesn't want to 'do' anything with his life... I guess living a certain type of live [sic] really hampers you- but then I'm finding that out myself. I've been a beatnik for so long that I'm having to learn or re-learn a lot of things... Sigh. I love to bask in your glory... Mother wants you to come to Houston... Living in a small, classless town would really bug you... Gawd. Guess I'll go mail this...". With holograph transmittal envelopes, fine condition.