Mount Morris, Woman's World Publishing, 1935. The first published work by the author of Strangers on a Train, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and The Price of Salt, her only openly lesbian novel and the basis for the 2015 film Carol. "Girl Campers" is a series of eight letters written by Highsmith to her mother and step-father over the course of a three-week stay at summer camp, when the author was twelve (published at age 14). Good content at a young age, including her delight in suspense ("The bus that was to take us to camp from the boat was late. We waited two hours and finally got a man to take us who drove like a maniac. We were all screaming bloody murder and singing songs"); pre-lesbian camp crushes ("There is a girl here named Janet Armstrong I want you to meet. She lives in Tudor City and her father is a publisher. We think we have things in common, as she speaks two languages and I would like to"); the desire for stimulants ("I miss my coffee and tea at meals. But they think we shouldn't have coffee or tea. I told my counselor that you only gave me one cup of coffee in the morning for breakfast. It doesn't matter. We don't get any"); her early interest in the comics, a field where she would land her first job after college ("Don't forget to bring me the Sunday funny papers if you come. I do hope you can come"). Approximately 1500 words total on learning to swim, daytrips, camp politics, and commentary on her companions. Small address stamp to front cover; very near fine in stapled wrappers. A beautiful copy of this large, fragile item, few of which can have survived in such condition. [#032286] SOLD