What a beautiful book and beautiful roses with it! Shows what an art printing can be. Looking forward to seeing him on Wednesday. Willa Cather [Stout #684]
Interesting that he has found this copy of her first book, apparently a copy presented by a friend to the friend's aunt, now deceased. Will be glad to autograph it. Willa Cather [Stout #879]
Gives permission to use "Spanish Johnny" but only as printed in April Twilights, not the garbled version in the anthology edited by Harriet Monroe. Is glad she likes Archbishop. Many people don't because they find it defies classification. Willa Cather [Stout #908]
He may use the sonnet , but regards it as so poor that she dropped it from the second edition of the volume [1923]. Very juvenile. [The Commonweal published six Cather poems, "Thou Art the Pearl," "Sonnet," "On Cydnus, "Eurydice," "L'envoi," and "Prairie Dawn" in the February 25, 1931 issue.] Willa Cather [Stout #1810]
Does not remember whether she made the alteration he asks about, and he should look at the 1923 edition of April Twilights to discover the answer, as that edition kept her revisions. Willa Cather
Doesn't know much about how her books are made physically, but remembers that the first edition of O Pioneers! was covered in a displeasing yellow cloth and was improved in the second issue with a darker cloth. Does not have a copy around to look at, though. Song of the Lark was covered in blue cloth, but doesn't have one of those either. Has only the handsomer British editions. Believes that only 1,200 copies of The Troll Garden were printed, and has no control over the high cost of the new edition of April Twilights [April Twilights and Other Poems, published by Knopf in 1923]. But really isn't that interested in the first editions. Cannot see eye to eye with Professor Phelps on any book. Upset him by pointing out the mistakes in his work on Russian literature, but, honestly, he does not even know the Russian language! Sorry this letter has been so long in coming. P.S. Yes, the second issue of O Pioneers! was brown with orange stamping. Willa Sibert Cather
Can he send an example of what he wants? Her idea of a bibliography would result in a small list, for she is not a voluminous writer. "The Bohemian Girl" is available only in the August 1912 McClure's [actually April 1912], but a new version will be coming out next winter [the story was never republished in Cather's lifetime]. P.S.: Does he know about April Twilights? Willa Sibert Cather
