Beschreibung:

ANDERSON, Sherwood (1876-1941). A correspondence containing 24 autograph letters (all but one signed "Sherwood Anderson" or "S.A."), 12 typed letters signed (as above), 2 autograph postcards (one signed), and 2 telegrams to Miss Helen Dinsmoor. V.p., 1938-41. Together approximately 70 pages of holograph, some written on rectos and versos, about 20 typed pages (a few with holograph corrections or insertions); many on Ripshin Farm, Troutdale, Va., letterhead, and most with original addressed envelopes . A revealing correspondence between Anderson and a young schoolteacher from Ohio, Helen Dinsmoor, who was writing her thesis on Anderson. What began as a research enquiry blossomed into a full romance over the three year period before his death in 1941. These letters document the development of their relationship, as well as reveal the activities of the writer at the end of his life. The content ranges from various personal matters (travels to Ohio, arranging meetings, encouragements in her writing projects) to his recent work (lectures and writing) and reminiscences of his early life and career. Helen Dinsmoor was a schoolteacher living in Athens, Ohio, who was accepted for a master's degree at Ohio University in 1939. As a thesis she wrote "An Inquiry into the Life of Sherwood Anderson as Reflected in His Literary Works" (carbon copy included). A sampling of the content: [August 1938]: "...when I thought of you I began wondering if you would care to know more of some early adventures as writer ... Or of the experience had with Cyrus Curtis, of the Saturday Evening Post and why he once offered me a place as editorial writer for that publication... Or of my writing an absurd booklet called... 'The Courage of The Second Thought' [see previous lot] ... Would a bit more information on these things add to your study? The books came. When I next go to town I will send you Horses and Men ." 12 December 1938: "I think that we writers only live while at work, when we have a theme, but there is something else also needed. A man has to find or create the form in which the theme may be handled, a form in which he can move about with some feeling of ease. I have been struggling to get that and, at last, think perhaps I have found it. Have you ever been in love? The feeling that comes when a man has been unable to work and at last gets back into work is like that. There is a kind of glow over life. A man looks forward with delight to the coming of another day. He wants to embrace people, trees, even buildings." 26 June 1939: "...In the Spanish War I was with the 6th Ohio infantry, company I. I don't know the exact date of enlistment but it was at the very beginning of the war ... When war was declared I was in Chicago, working as a laborer there. I cane [ sic ] home to go and was looked upon as a local hero ... I am afraid Helen it was bunk. The laberers [ sic ] was too hard for me. I wanted the chance to travel, see strange places etc..." Friday [August 1939]: "As regards reading, there is one man who always delighted me. George Borrow He should be in the library there. If not let me know. I suggest...Lavengro...The Romany Rye...The Bible In Spain. Also Forma Gordyf, by Gorky...Turgenev's Annals Of A Sportsman. It was this last book that led to Tzar Alexander's freeing of the Russian serfs. What of Tolsoy's [ sic ] War and Peace. Lots of love. I'll be looking forward to the thesis." He adds at end in holograph "Chekov of course." Friday [1939?]: "I have no criticism to make of the part of the theses [ sic ] sent. I did, as you will see change a word or two. I think my interests go a lot beyond just sex and industrialism. I really think of myself as a humanist I guess." Monday [January 1939]: "...I came over here [Yellow Springs] on Sunday evening and find it a mighty interesting place. As I sit upstairs in a house here a radio is going downstairs, the voice of Hitler. It seems to fill the house with ugliness. Hate going on and on, threa