Description:

E.E. Cummings
various, ca. 1945-1960
Archive of E.E. Cummings & Marion Morehouse Cummings Correspondence With Fellow Writer Selden Rodman, 15+ Pcs
Archive
An archive of approximately 17 items relating to modern poet Edward Estlin "E.E." Cummings (1894-1962) and his longtime partner, Marion Morehouse (1906-1969), all addressed to fellow writer and poet Selden Rodman (1909-2002). The archive consists of autograph notes signed, autograph letters signed, and typed letters signed by both E.E. and Marion, ca. 1945-1960. Various places in New York, New York and Silver Lake, New Hampshire. Featuring 8 signatures by Cummings as "E.E. Cumming's"; "Cumming's"; and "e e c." Please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition, which is overall very good. The largest items measure 8.5" x 11."

The correspondence is from the archive of Selden Rodman, a prolific American writer of poetry, plays and prose, political commentary, art criticism, Latin American and Caribbean history, biography and travel writing. Publishing more than 40 books, he also founded "The Harkness Hoot" at Yale University in the early 1930s before traveling to Europe and integrating himself with the literary giants there, including Pound, Joyce, and Mann. Upon his return to New York, he co-edited "Common Sense" magazine, which Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. stated became "the most lively and interesting forum of radical discussion in the country." He is known for the conversations and letters he had with some of the premiere literary and art figures of his time, many of which are housed at Yale, as well as his love and promotion of Haitian and other folk art.

The lot consists of:

E.E. Cummings Autographed Material & Related

1. A 1p typed letter signed by Cummings as "E.E. Cumming's" at the conclusion. September 4, 1959. [Silver Lake, New Hampshire.] Typed on watermarked onion skin stationery with "Silver Lake / New Hampshire" letterhead. Expected flattened transmittal folds and a few gentle wrinkles. 8.5" x 11." In part: "…when you suggested calling here with your little daughter, en route to friends in Maine, neither Marion nor I suspected that we might find ourselves entertaining a professional interviewer in disguise now that (via the book which you so kindly gave me) I realize who was our guest, or rather who he has become, let me make two things perfectly clear--1st, under no circumstances should I consent to be interviewed by him; & 2nd, anything I said in his presence was said privately (id est: not for publication)…"

2. A 1p retained carbon copy of Rodman's response to Cummings's September 4, 1959 letter. September 6, 1959. N.p. Reading in part: "Your letter of September 4 hurt me deeply. I do not go anywhere, or do anything, 'in disguise.' Had I wanted to write an interview, I would have asked your permission, and taken verbatim notes on the spot, as I did in the case of each of the artists in the book I gave you… Had I had the underhanded intent you so unkindly suggest, surely the last thing I would have done would be to make a gift of a book capable of arousing such a fear… I did say that if ever in some remote future I become nostalgic enough about the past two [sic] write what used to me called 'memoires,' I would illustrate it with my photos, and would appreciate adding yours to those that such poets as Frost, Williams, Pound, Jeffers, Auden, et al seemed glad to have me take…"

3.-5. Three 1p typed letters signed by Cummings, each as "Cumming's" at the conclusion. With incomplete dates probably all from the mid-1940s. [Silver Lake, New Hampshire.] Some scorching in the margins, some loss of letters and edges trimmed, as is not unusual for material from the Rodman archive. All also have some water-staining and minor folds. Else good. Average size: 7.125" x 10.125."

The first is dated September [n.y.] and reads: "may I somewhat tardily but most sincerely salute your generosity and ask it to believe that the present writer is as sorry to disappoint you as he is delighted to learn that just for a change I'm expensive? --yours for living P.S. no poet is dead."

The second is dated February 8, 194[] and tells Rodman to write Cummings's agent regarding including poems in something Rodman is putting together.

The third is dated August 20, 1945 and reads in part: "Now as for 'future plans,' never have plans of any sort; as for 'this war's war poetry,' I feel that the undersigned (being a participant, however feeble, therein) should hold his peace…"

6. A 1p typed letter signed by Cummings as "E E Cumming's" verso. December 3, [n.y.] [New York, New York.] On blue-lined paper. Water-staining to the upper edge and upper left corner as well as isolated singe marks. E.E. Cummings answers three questions: about how he writes his name; two corrections to his poems: with a note that they can correct any other mistakes in the proofs.

7.-9. Three typed postcards signed by Cummings, each as "e e c" in various colored pencil. October 28, 1958; November 14, 1958; September 10, 1959. [New York, New York.] The first asks for a copy of Rodman's "Mexican Journal" ["Mexican Journal: The Conquerors Conquered"]; the second states in part: "Marion's now perusing (with delight) your Mexican Journal; while our unhero wrestles with his autumn-winter 'readings', not to mention --ars longa"; and the third opens with a line from Cummings's poem "'may my heart always be open to little…'"

Marion Morehouse Cummings Autographed Material & Related

10. A 1p autograph letter signed by Marion Morehouse Cummings as "Marion" at the conclusion. July 27, 1959. Silver Lake, New Hampshire. Urging Seldon to visit them.

11.-15. Five autograph letters signed including two postcards signed by Marion as "Marion." July 14, 1959; August 15, 1959; September 5, 1959; September 23, 1959; July 14, 1960. [Silver Lake, New Hampshire.]

16. A greeting card with artwork based on a painting by E.E. Cummings, inscribed in Marion's hand as: "greetings to you + B. from Cummings + Marion. Mild wear and rubbing, primarily to creases.

17. A folded newspaper clipping of Marion Morehouse Cummings's obituary.

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This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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