[Two Autograph Letters, Signed, with Two Typed Letters, Signed in Full]

Bogan, Louise

Published by New York, 1956

About this Item

Four pages. on rectos of four quarto sheets of onion-skin paper. Folded for mailing, short marginal breaks at middle folds of three, otherwise very good. Three of the letters are to Yale Professor Gordon Haight, in response to his invitation to her to give the Bergen lecture, the general planning for the lecture - both scheduling, content and logistics - and a letter of gratitude following the event. The first, a full-page a.l.s., thanks Haight for the invitation, and apologizes for "answering it so late. I returned from a stay on the west coast only yesterday." Her schedule through December is rather crowded, so she asks if "A date late in January would be better - or does 'the year' actually mean 1955?" In the t.l.s. of 7 December, she suggest two possible dates in February, noting "I am happy to hear that reading from contemporary poets (both British and American) will be suitable, since I feel that audiences nowadays hear a great deal of talk concerning poets and poetry, and not nearly enough of the poetry itself." In the second t.l.s. Bogan outlines her options for a train from New York City to New Haven, and concludes "I am planning a program of modern poetry, chiefly American, about an hour in length. I'll include some alternates, and perhaps you will be good enough to look over the selection in advance [not present here]. I am delighted that Mr. [Cleanth] Brooks is to introduce me, and I look forward to having dinner with you all ." The fourth a.l.s. is directed to Mrs Haight and is in large part a letter of thanks: ". In spite of the weather, I remember my visit to New Haven (and environs!) with pleasure. Your warm hospitality did a great deal to counteract the elements." She notes that she was on the verge of packing some overshoes she provided for her "when I remembered that you said 'Keep them!' So I won't be tiresome and fuss, but accept them gratefully. They are a perfect fit. Thank you!" Among other distinctions, Bogan had received the Bollingen Award for Poetry in 1955. Seller Inventory # WRCLIT88628

Bibliographic Details

Title: [Two Autograph Letters, Signed, with Two ...

Publisher: New York

Publication Date: 1956