Gertrude Stein Collection 1922-1955

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred citation:

Gertrude Stein Collection, Accession 8259, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Summary

Creator:
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Gertrude Stein Collection, Accession 8259, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Background

Scope and content:

[Includes cover ALS, w/env to Editor of Yale Literary Magazine. ]

[Includes autograph corrections.]

[Sends him manuscript of Geography and Plays, which is going to be her fifth book, for speedy publication; says she is willing to share the production cost and awaits his suggestions and proposition; says that Sherwood Andersonis to write the preface; gives him a list of prominent people who will advertise her in Englandand France, including G. H. Wells, Roger Fry, Israel Zwangwill, Logan Pearsall Smith, Jean Cocteau, Waldman George, and Valerie Larband. ]

[Says she is flattered that Brown likes the manuscript; tries to explain her method of work and how her style has developed since she wrote The Three Livesin 1905; feels fortunate to have Sherwood Anderson, a longtime admirer and student of her method, to explain her to the public; discusses the length, omissions, cost, and physical appearance of the book; suggests a royalty of 15 percent; says she will send a first payment of $1,000 toward the production.]

[Includes autograph corrections; says she is happy with contract; asks for minor changes; talks about translation rights and the cost of translating; encloses $1,000 towards publishing cost; speaks about the book's physical shape and the preface by Sherwood Anderson; says she will send biographical sketch and her photo by Langdon Coburnas well as the one made from her portrait by Pablo Picasso; mentions that her "Portrait of Picasso," now being translated into French, will soon appear in Jean Cocteau's new magazine.]

[Discusses his approval of the contract changes; suggests Curtis Brownto make arrangements for foreign publishing; mentions Sherwood Anderson's introduction of the book; tries to speed up the publishing as the book is already being talked about; mentions physical shape of book.]

[Includes autograph corrections; returns corrected proofs and talks about them at length; mentions physical shape of book; requests a dummy of the cover; says she will send a list of names to send circulars to; mentions photographs of herself taken by Man Rayand includes one for publicity; mentions possibility of an English edition.]

[Discusses corrected proofs and her definite ideas as to the looks of the book; sends list of people to whom advance notices should be sent; mentions sculpture of herself, which will be exhibited in Americain the fall, being done by Jo Davidson; considers the sculpture good publicity for her book; sends second check of $2,000.]

[Handwritten by Alice B. Toklas, signed by Stein; acknowledges receipt of a rough draft of the side papers; expresses definite ideas on how book should look; asks for a dummy as soon as possible.]

[Written by Alice B. Toklasfor Stein; discusses Geography and Plays; encloses list of people to whom review copies should be sent; gives directions; mentions reviews in Canadian papers and in the Parisedition of the Chicago Tribune; says there is interest in the book in Ireland. ]

[Compliments him and herself on the wonderful book they have produced; makes suggestions which might increase sales; requests that he send a copy to Lifefor review; promises more photographs of herself by Man Ray. ]

[Says she would like to know how many copies of Geography and Playshave been sold and what has been done to advance the sale; hints at a future book; gives list of names she want copies sent to; mentions newspapers which are going to do a story on her and an article by Edna Kentonabout the book; urges him to send copy to Don Marquis.]

[Mentions book notices and reviews; scolds him for not writing to her, failing to inform about copies sold, and not sending a receipt for a check.]

[Says that check and requested receipt have arrived; requests royalty statement; comments on book's success; says the interview by Jane Burrwill appear in a large syndicate of newspapers; mentions article by Mina Loyabout Geography and Plays; passes on flattering remarks about physical appearance of the book.]

[Complains about not having received royalty statements for January, February, and March; mentions apparent success of book.]

[Acknowledges receipt of statements and check covering all months up to June; encourages him to send quarterly statements from now on; says she is convinced that book sales will increase; mentions favorable newspaper clippings and that H. L. Menckenincludes her in his list of the 10 dullest authors; says Mencken's statement leaves her undaunted.]

[Acknowledges statement up to October; requests less tardiness with the next statement, due February 1; informs him that Ben W. Huebschis bringing out a collection of her short stories, edited by Frances Newman; says she has given Huebsch permission to include "Miss Furr and Miss Skeene"; mentions reference to her work in a story that appeared in the September Cosmopolitan. ]

[Complains about errors and delays in his accounting; says she is glad about increased January sales; believes article in Atlantic Monthlywill help with sales.]

[Notes that all her books with the exception of Geography and Playsare out of print; wonders if he saw the laudatory article in Vogueabout Geography and Playsby Edith Sitwell; says that Sitwell's article and Mina Loy's article have been mentioned in Punch; reminds him to make sure the English agent has some copies; says statement and check are overdue.]

[Asks him to supply new English agent with copies of Geography and Plays; says the book has come into demand after Edith Sitwell's piece; wants him to be sure that the book is available at the principal booksellers in Oxfordand Cambridge; says that new interest in her work has arisen in England. ]

[Turns down invitation to the Author's Congressin Washingtondue to distance; understands that her books will be in the Book Fair; says she will instruct her publisher to be of help in any way he can.]

[Discusses The Making of Americansand an overdue statement and royalty check.]

[Writes from the countryside; expresses pleasure on learning that he has written a preface for her book; comments on the weather; send greetings to his wife.]

[Mentions article in Axel's Castleon the work of Gertrude Stein; urges him to place an order for Lucy Church Amiably. ]

[Invites him to tea the following Sunday.]

[Explains for Gertrude Steinthat she has not written a book about Ernest Hemingway, but has discussed him in The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas; informs him where the book was published.]

[Thanks her for "the delicate white violets" sent to Gertrude Stein; says that Stein hopes to find time to see Lingafelt upon her return to Chicago. ]

[Asks for the long overdue statement of Geography and Plays; passes on Gertrude Stein's indignation over their ongoing tardiness.]

[Promises to send statement in early July; suggests that she study the contract in regard to her complaint.]

[Discusses 10,000 francs paid to her by Chabot and a check sent by Deurel from Fontaine.] (In French)

[Discusses arrangement with Chabot for Wars I Have Seenand Three Lives; reports that her story on the Americans goes well.] (In French)

[Discusses a piece she is supposed to write for The Yale Literary Magazineto honor Henri Matisse; explains how the rift between Gertrude Steinand Matisse came about; promises a contribution within a fortnight.]

[Expresses delight about the preface he has done for Dix Portraits; loves his use of quotations; looks forward to the Bull-Dog; says she would like to own a lot of his writings; refers to her dog "Basket"; invites him and his wife Robbie to spend a few days with them in Bilignin. ]

[Invites him and [Robbie] to visit; speaks about the delightful countryside, the weather, her work.]

[Says she greatly enjoyed his book; enjoys "actualities of 1358"; hopes to meet him in Parisnext winter.]

[Compliments him on his beautiful writing, especially [ Bull Dog]; expresses interest in his historical writings; hopes he and Mrs. Robertson will visit her.]

[Mentions pieces he has written; renews invitation to Bilignin; mentions "Basket."]

[Says she has been doing interesting work and is anxious to share her ideas with him in September.]

[Thanks him for telegram and all he did for her; talks about an upcoming broadcasting about her lectures and books.]

[Thanks him for the "marked" copy; approves of the changes he has made; says she will send a presentation copy.]

[Invites him to visit; says she is busy reading proof; describes her country place as crude, but lovely; suggests a longer visit for later.]

[Says her arm is on the mend; invites him to visit; suggests he keep producing paintings and not worry about gallery politics; describes the pleasure his pictures have given a local French family who saw them at her home.]

[Comments on his paintings; gives business advice; suggests a gallery which will put his work in a large exhibition hall; warns him not to raise his prices at this time; singles out 2 of his paintings, "the two old heads" and "the grey nude against the greenish background" as praiseworthy.]

[Says that there is a great deal in his painting that she does not like, but she likes him, is proud of him, and has faith in him; thinks that, if he persist, he will eventually be what her letter-head, which says "Rose is a rose . . .," suggests.]

[Refuses to give one of his pictures to a gallery in exchange for another one to be chosen by the gallery; says that she bought 3 pictures from a previous show to prove her continued support, not because she was impressed.]

[Expresses delight with [ The Magic Island]; finds him "simple and gay and wonderful"; walks endlessly; talks and listens to the peasants; says she is happy about all he says about her.]

[Says she is pleased to have heard from him; asks him to send the book; reports on their planting potatoes, American corn and American squash; hopes to meet him again soon.]

[Discusses letter from Rose, which she showed to Bernard Fay, and a letter by "Waldemar"; says she met Waldemar at the gallery where Rose's pictures are on exhibit and he was impressed; advises him to let Waldermar write an article on the paintings; reports on her difficult financial situation.]

[Discusses Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, photos to be used in the book and for publicity; asks about the date of his visit so they can arrange a party; says that the room has been painted and whitewashed and his paintings look lovely in it; remembers Curley, his dog.] (on "Rose is a rose . ." stationary)

[Invites him for a weekend; suggests that he stop at his place en route to see how the workmen are doing and to go back there Monday to keep an eye on everything.]

[Advises him to exhibit 3 paintings; suggest medicinal baths for an ailing arm; relates comments on his art by her local friends, both cultivated and not; talks about their dogs.]

[Reminisces about America; says Colette and her new husband will go to New Yorkon the Normandie's maiden voyage and will stay at the Waldorf, carrying a letter from Stein to [Cernchild]; assures him that he and Colette will like each other.]

[Thanks him for Christmas gift of Rembrandt drawings, which she greatly admires; mentions "Basket's" Christmas present and Rose's dogs.] (on "Rose is a rose . ." stationary)

[Reports on arrival in the country from Paris; comments on the weather, Basket's reactions to the move, etc.; looks forward to her 2 new pictures; writes about the changes she has made in hanging his pictures.]

[Talks about her and Alice B. Toklas' visit to the Roses and about Basket who cannot come along due to skin problems; promises that Basket will be beautiful again in the fall, to have his portrait painted.]

[Gives him advice on galleries; advises him not to send pictures to her as the person who used to frame the pictures is ill and she does not have anybody trustworthy to crate them to be sent back; expresses pleasure about a drawing.]

[Speaks about a pleasant visit with him, how they get to know each other better every time; suggests they visit St. Remytogether; knows a Chinese landscape in miniature there she wants him to paint; discusses changes in her household due to a change of landlords.]

[Discusses a visit from Rose put off by his illness and his dog Curley; mentions his painting "the little seven year old" which pleases her.]

[Complains about a recently received picture; understands why the Londonshow has been a disappointment; remembers Rose telling her that an artist has to paint bad pictures; says she is afraid he lets it turn into a habit and that she will not sponsor his New Yorkshow if his work does not improve; warns him that he is no longer young and he has to fulfill his youthful promise.]

[Thanks him for a picture; tells him that she likes the St. Remy as much as ever; comments on the light; tells him that she believes in him as painter.]

[Wonders about his well being; offers to help him in Parisif necessary; reasures him of her interest in him.]

[Thanks him for picture.]

[Says she has found a purchaser if he has a picture to sell at 300 or 400 francs; discusses dogs.]

[Appreciates pictures he sent her which justify her faith in him; loves one painting especially, the "new one"; talks about the quality of light in it, inner and outer light.]

[Discusses the placement of his work in American galleries to get the American public acquainted with him; says she will do the introduction in a catalogue for him; asks him to send her a copy of the Londonshow catalogue.]

[Says she has found a Londonagent, [Abdy], and gotten him interested in Rose's work; says [Abdy] would be willing to put together a Londonshow of paintings and drawings for Rose, provided Rose takes care of letter writing, appearances, etc.; states that the agents think the recent publicity Rose got from The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklaswould be of help.]

[Talks about his pictures; advises him to stick with Parisart dealer Pierre Collewho is the only dealer selling pictures at the moment; says she has gotten an important English collector interested in his work and that she will send Rose to Londonin the fall; mentions that Lord Berner is doing the music and the decor for one of her plays to be performed in the fall.]

[Discusses a landscape he wants; suggests the cascade he did at Bilignin, one of her favorite pictures; expresses pleasure with the photos of the church "Curley" sent her; invites him to dinner on the 25th.]

[Comments on ill health; mentions pleasure she got out of a number of his pictures.]

[Tells him that a letter the agent Sir Robert Abdysent him has been returned; urges him to got to post office, see what is the matter; states that the agent want to talk to Rose; sends Christmas and New Year's wishes.] (on "Rose is a rose . . ." stationary)

[Discusses pictures he sent; describes the ones he likes; says she is afraid she will miss the Chicagoshow because they will not arrive there before the 24th of March, by which time the show may be over.]

[Discusses his possible trip to Francethat year, her upcoming lectures at Columbia University; thanks him for all he and [Harriet ?] have done for her.]

[Tells him that " On Indian Bay, " in which he figures, is published in the Reviewer; hopes he likes it.]

[Discusses a meeting with him; says she would like him to do the introduction to the "Potraits"; says she is pleased that their books came out at the same time.]

[Hopes he is not ill; expects him at tea-time Sunday; says Bernard [Fay]will come also.]

[Says she is pleased to have heard from him; looks forward to seeing him again.]

[Signed.]

[Signed.]

[Includes envelope addressed to Georgia Lingafelt. ]

Acquisition information:
Deposit [ 1963 Dec 17 ] 1966 May 11
Processing information:

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Physical location:
Physical description:
ca. 85 items