"They think I'm going to be a schoolteacher but I'm going to be a poet..."

A rare and uncommon item from the Horowhenua period, during which time Janet Frame wrote her three autobiographical works:

To the Is-Land, 1983 An Angel at my Table, 1984 The Envoy from Mirror City, 1985

Janet Frame is probably the most famous writer ever to have been produced by New Zealand. Throughout her long career she received many honours at home and abroad. She received New Zealand's highest civil honour in 1990 when she was made a Member of the Order of New Zealand. Janet Frame died in Dunedin in 2004.

I discovered this treasure last week whilst having a sort out of an estate lot of books and papers I purchased from Dunbar Sloane Auctions earlier in the year. The postcard is hand-written by Janet Frame and addressed to G. Stancliff, Lower Hutt.

It appears that Mr Stancliff was a fan who had written to the famous authour a number of times. She has replied in a rather formal manner and signed her writing name as an autograph rather than using her real name (Janet Clutha)

The text reads: "Many thanks for your perceptive letters. I`m just about to fly overseas for five weeks! All good wishes & thank you for taking the time to write to me. Janet Frame".

Postmarked May 1986 - Airmail sticker, 2 x 40c stamps Tiki Card P. 2161 "Rose-Growing near Levin"

I have contacted Bethunes Rare Books in Auckland with a description and pictures of this item and received an valuation estimate for their next auction in March 2009; however I am wishing to sell prior to Christmas so Trade Me gets the nod!

There is one other hand-written Janet Frame postcard on display at Frank Sargeson House, Takapuna. I am unaware of any others that are - or have been - available on the collectors market at any time.

I have set the start bid at a very low reserve compared to the Bethunes estimate, and will let the NZ market decide the value on this item.

Any questions feel free to ask. Thanks for looking and happy bidding!