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Lot 345
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E.E. Cummings 2x Signed TLS With Superb Poetry & Political Content, Re: Poem Criticizing the Soviet Invasion of Finland & Calling FDR & Churchill "giltedged muckers"
E.E. Cummings 2x Signed TLS With Superb Poetry & Political Content, Re: Poem Criticizing the Soviet Invasion of Finland & Calling FDR & Churchill "giltedged muckers"
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Description:

E.E. Cummings 2x Signed TLS With Superb Poetry & Political Content, Re: Poem Criticizing the Soviet Invasion of Finland & Calling FDR & Churchill "giltedged muckers"

A 1p typed letter signed by poet Edward Estlin "E.E." Cummings (1894-1962), as "C--g's" near bottom center; also signed a second time on the return address panel of its original transmittal envelope as "Cummings." N.d. but "jeudi" [Thursday, March 16, 1944]. Written at Cummings's longtime flat at 4 Patchin Place in Greenwich Village, New York City. On simple typing paper typed "4 Patchin Place / New York City" at top. The companion envelope is entirely engrossed by Cummings, with his name and address verso, as well as the address of the recipient as "Professor Theodore Spencer / 20 Oxford Street / Cambridge / Massachusetts" recto. Expected paper folds and a few extra wrinkles, else near fine. Lightly pencil-inscribed with the postmark date at top. 8.5" x 11." The cancelled envelope postmarked from New York on March 17, 1944 is gently letter-opened verso; a minor closed tear affects the second "m" of Cummings's signature on the return address panel.

In this letter to friend and fellow poet Theodore Spencer (1902-1949), Cummings discusses an 8-line poem that he had recently submitted for publication to "The Maryland Quarterly." This literary journal was then edited by influential poet Norman Macleod (1906-1985), possibly referred to in the letter as "Uncle Ducats," who had the power to "no," or reject, Cummings's work.

Cummings wrote in part, with unchanged spelling, punctuation, and other usage:

"long ago, a little(8 line poem) made itself. Plot: couple of giltedged muckers, named Frankie & Winnie, are selling into Russian foetalism the most progressive nation on earth. X Now (apparently) those lines mean something; anyhow 'The Maryland Quarterly' sent me proof: but Uncle Ducats might no them still…"

We believe that the poem Cummings discusses is his "o to be in finland," which was indeed published in "The Maryland Quarterly," No. 3 (Summer 1944). Cummings's poem, known as "o to be in finland," reads in full: "o to be in finland / now that russia's here) / swing low / sweet ca / rr / y on / (pass the freedoms pappy or / uncle shylock not interested".

Cummings's poem was highly critical of Soviet foreign policy, specifically the invasion of Finland and its annexation of territory following the First Soviet-Finnish War (1939-1940). The poem highlights the hypocrisy of "Frankie" (U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt) and "Winnie" (British Prime Minister) in overlooking Soviet violations because the three countries were now allies in the fight against Hitler. Peace among the new-found Allies was paramount, so the Western World was buying into the false idea that the Soviet Union was a progressive nation emerging in the East.

Some of the same unconventional literary elements that E.E. Cummings is best-known for in his experimental poetry can be seen in this letter.

These unexpected oddities of usage, typical of Cummings's poetry, include:

- A lack of capitalization, though selective, not exclusive (ex. beginning new sentences with lower case letters, but capitalizing the proper noun "Marion");

- A lack of spacing between characters and words (ex: "The Greek,afloat [sic]");

- A scattering of French words and phrases (ex: "salut" [see you]);

- Unusual imagery (ex. comparing flower-arranging to a musical composition).

E.E. Cummings thanks Spencer for the money that purchased a floral bouquet for Marion Morehouse (1906-1969), Cummings's last romantic partner and possibly his third wife (their marital status remains unclear.) Morehouse was one of the most famous fashion models of the 1920s and 1930s, posing for "Vogue" and "Vanity Fair." She met E.E. in 1934 and the couple lived together at 4 Patchin Place until the poet's death in 1962.

Theodore Spencer was indeed a "Professor of English." He had earned his doctorate at Harvard University (Cummings's alma mater) in 1928, and served as a Professor of English there between 1927 and his death in 1949.

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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