Late writer Shelby Foote's house in estate sale

[March 04, 2011]  MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Late Civil War writer Shelby Foote's two-story, 11-room house -- secret room and all -- is the highlight of an estate sale in Memphis this weekend.

The 1927 house and about $200,000 in personal belongings are part of the sale beginning Saturday. A $25,000 Persian rug and books from his library are included.

The Commercial Appeal reports that the house was appraised at $427,600 last year and is being reappraised for the sale. It has a small secret room above an upstairs bedroom, accessible through a trapdoor in the ceiling.

Author of "The Civil War: A Narrative," Foote contributed to documentary filmmaker Ken Burns' "Civil War" series.

A separate sale of much of Foote's personal writings and notes is expected to be announced Friday.

[Associated Press]

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