ARCHIVE OF 15 TYPED LETTERS SIGNED (TLSs) and Related Material to Henry Rago, the Editor of POETRY Magazine

ELIOT, T. S

Published by 1957 - 1959, London, 1957

About this Item

A series of 15 TYPED LETTERS SIGNED as "T. S. Eliot" to poet and editor of POETRY Magazine, Henry Rago, all but one on Faber and Faber stationery. The letters, which span the dates 7 January 1957 through 23 October 1959, primarily concern Rago's invitation to Eliot to read and speak at an annual Poetry Day event. Eliot's side of the correspondence shows him progressing slowly from outright refusal ("I much regret having to give a negative answer") through tentative entertainment of the idea ("my problem, as always, is that of fitting in the minimum number of public appearances necessary to pay our expenses in America"), to some fairly hard-nosed negotiations culminating in acceptance. Among the topics discussed, beyond the details of transportation and accommodations, is Rago's desire to print a facsimile of the manuscript of "Prufrock," which Eliot approves. Just a few excerpts: "I was interested to hear of your Poetry Day and of the success of the readings by Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg." "It is possible that I may have a play in production in the summer and I have to make a speech in Paris in October, so a visit to Chicago in November is out of the question for a man who is in the statistical sense now rather nearer old age than middle age." "Two minor points. You emphasise the lavish provision of champagne at the banquet. Neither my wife nor I can take champage [sic], she not at all and I only very little! I therefore hope that there will be some other beverage -- preferably still wine -- available for us two unfortunates. Champagne, strawberries and tripe are three viands which I have consistently to decline." "The only manuscript copy of Prufrock, so far as I am aware, was in the notebook of poems which I gave to the late John Quinn at the time when he bought The Wasteland. The notebook as well as The Wasteland disappeared. So go ahead with the facsimile you want to print." "Finally, I have no objection to the tape recording. Tape recordings have been made before and my only objection is that my impromptu remarks sound so flat and so halting that it is embarrassing for me to hear a play-back myself." Also included are a pamphlet written and SIGNED by Rago issued in 1965 titled T.S. ELIOT: A MEMOIR AND A TRIBUTE, in brown wrappers (6" x 9-1/2"), and a receipt on POETRY letterhead dated 27 November 1963 invoicing the sale of these letters. Minor soiling and expected wear. Near Fine.

Seller Inventory # 022142

Bibliographic Details

• Title: ARCHIVE OF 15 TYPED LETTERS SIGNED (TLSs) and Related Material to Henry Rago, the Editor of POETRY Magazine
• Publisher: 1957 - 1959, London
• Publication Date: 1957
• Binding: Letters
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Signed
  • Modern First Editions
  • Literary Archives
  • Literature: English