Two manuscript letters written on the verso of original collages.

PELIEU, Claude, & Mary Beach.

Published by 1973

About this Item

Two original collage-letters from the romantic and creative partners Claude Pelieu and Mary Beach to their friend, the writer and editor William Levy, known as the "Talmudic Wizard of Amsterdam". The May letter is in Pelieu's handwriting and has his rubber-stamped name at the head; the October letter is in both Pelieu and Beach's hands. Pelieu was a Parisian artist and writer who began to work in collage in the 1950s. He met Mary Beach, a second cousin of Sylvia Beach, in 1962, while she was visiting Paris. They left for San Francisco together, where they developed creative friendships with Ferlinghetti, Ginsberg, and Charles Plymell. Beach worked at Ferlinghetti's City Lights bookshop, and soon set up her own imprint, Beach Books. She discovered and published Bob Kaufman, and published works by Ginsberg and William Burroughs. Levy was the founder and chief editor of various countercultural publications, including Suck, The International Times, The Insect Trust Gazette, and the European editions of High Times and Penthouse. In these letters, Pelieu asks to be sent copies of Levy's Virgin Sperm Dancer and new issues of Suck, after being shown them by William Burroughs. Beach tells Levy that she has friends who wish to collaborate on an anthology but laments the timing: "I'll try that's all I can say - with a Nuclear war in the offing I may not be here to do a bloody thing". Two original collages on stiff card ("Cool grass hill May 73", 278 x 129 mm; "Oct 73", 317 x 213 mm), writing on verso in black, pink, and blue felt tip. With an envelope addressed to Levy at Joy Publications in Amsterdam, written in green felt tip. A little toned and creased, envelope toned and roughly opened with tape repairs at foot; in very good condition. Seller Inventory # 150445

Bibliographic Details

Title: Two manuscript letters written on the verso ...

Publisher: 1973

Signed: Signed by Author(s)