A Calendar of the Letters of Willa Cather

19 letters found

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To George SeibelMay 17, 1910, on McClure's letterhead ; WCPM 

Sorry she used such a foolish title. Hasn't seen Francis Hill lately. Will pay for however much ginger ale he can drink, though not a popular choice in New York.   Willa Sibert Cather   [Stout #177]


To Thomas Masaryk [president of the Czechoslovak Republic]Feb. 2, 1925, from no. 5 Bank Street, New YorkBerkeley 

Feels honored to receive his letter and glad to have introduced to him the Bohemian people she knew in Nebraska. While in Red Cloud for Christmas took the original Ántonia and six of her children to see the movie of A Lost Lady. Usually remains friendly with her characters. Wishes she could introduce to him the real Ántonia and her children. The Midwest is such a combination of contradictories that she can only write about what she lived. Has no biographical material to send him except a publicity brochure from Knopf. Is still only beginning to find her proper voice in fiction.   Willa Cather   [Stout #768]


To Carrie Miner Sherwood,  n.d. [prob. Jan. 1926] WCPM 

[name blotted out; possibly Thomas Masaryk] has just sent some nice pictures of Bohemia. Is sending some for her and Irene and several to be framed for Annie Pavelka. Enclosing a check to buy some tulips for mother. Enjoyed Mary Virginia's visit.   Willie   [Stout #820]


To Francis O. MatthiessenJune 10, [1926?], from Santa FeBeinecke 

Always glad to help make Sarah Orne Jewett's work better known. Won't be back to New York until December. Review Mr. [DeWolfe] Howe spoke about was in Literary Review of the New York Evening Post.   Willa Cather   [Stout #839]


To Francis O. MatthiessenJan. 3, 1927Beinecke 

Plans to write a short critical study of Jewett in the next year or so, but that won't prevent his doing so. Suggests he approach Mary Jewett and Dr. Eastman, as well as Ferris Greenslet. Only letters to her from Jewett that she wishes to make public are in the Fields edition.   Willa Cather   [Stout #867]


To Francis W. Talbot, S. J.Oct. 8, 1927, from Shattuck Inn, Jaffrey, N.H.GU 

Has received a copy of America with his review of Archbishop; is pleased by his understanding of what she was doing. Prefers to call it a "historical narrative," though publisher refers to it as a novel because the public understands that term. Glad he realizes purpose was to celebrate the lives of two men of real nobility and their relationship with a place. The story really lay in their engagement with that place. P.S.: Would appreciate his sending her another copy of the journal, to send to her father.  Willa Cather   [Stout #904]


To Francis BiddleJan. 4, 1928 [note accompanying a book given to Biddle] ; GU 

The book cannot make sense to a reader who does not know the area.   Willa Cather   [Stout #918]


To unnamed "boys" [sons of Annie Pavelka?]June 26, 1931, from Grosvenor Hotel, New YorkWCPM 

Did not forget their commencement. Has shown their pictures to friends in Pasadena and New York as examples of the fine Bohemian boys in Nebraska. Has had a commencement of her own—honorary degree at Princeton. Met the Lindberghs. Sorry not to stop when she came through, but will be there before another year goes by.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1058]


To Carrie Miner SherwoodDec. 14, [1933?]WCPM 

Please have Mrs. Burden [storekeeper] pack up a box of Christmas groceries for Mrs. Lambrecht and purchase some good coffee for Annie Pavelka. Has sent Annie a check and some discarded clothes. Is sending a check to [name blocked out]. But the spectacle of poverty may be even harsher in the city.   Willie   [Stout #1205]


To Carrie Miner SherwoodJan. 27, 1934WCPM 

International Mark Twain Society has voted My Ántonia a silver medal, but must go to St. Louis to receive it. She might enjoy reading enclosed report done for the Society. Please don't show people in Red Cloud who are spiteful or would gape at Annie Pavelka to see how dissimilar Ántonia is. Why won't people believe fiction is not a direct portrait of real people? "Two Friends" not about Mr. Miner and Mr. Richardson, but the emotional response to them felt by a child. It recreates a memory. Similarly, Ántonia sums up emotions about immigrant people she knew there. Mr. Sadilek's suicide was the first thing she heard about upon arriving in Nebraska. Her fiction has always been a precise representation of her feelings, never faked or exaggerated feeling. P.S.: Enjoyed seeing Irene when she was in New York.  Willie   [Stout #1214]


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