by Edward Burns
For a number of years Florence Bradley was plagued by the aftereffects of the peyote incident. She was healthy enough, however, to organize an exhibition of Marsden Hartley’s paintings in her Chicago home in March 1915. After this exhibition all contact between her and Dodge, Stein, and Van Vechten ceased for many years.
Bradley did not communicate again with Stein until 15 October 1928 (YCAL). She was encouraged to do so after she had met Katherine Dudley and Harriet Monroe at the Chicago Lyric Opera and they had all discussed Stein.
In 1929 Bradley and her husband, Gómez del Val, went to live in Mallorca. It was from there, in 1934, that she wrote to Stein after she had read The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas:
My dreams took on different forms from the dreams that were mine that day I left Paris—years ago—with your plays under my arm.
After I was knocked out at Mabel’s—yes—I passed on—as it were—to other parts—for so long a time I was away—and now I am back. (5 May 1934, YCAL)
6. The first edition of Stein’s Three Lives had been published in 1909 at her expense by the Grafton Press of New York. In 1915 John Lane issued three hundred copies of the book in a Bodley Head edition. Lane’s edition is identical with the Grafton Press edition except for a different title page. The spine on Lane’s edition still shows the Grafton Press as publisher.
To Carl Van Vechten
[French Telegraph Cable]
[postmark: 9 March 1915] [Paris]
GIVE NORTON NOTHING RETURN FOUR IMMEDIATELY
GERTRUDE STEIN
To Carl Van Vechten
[postmark: 10 March 1915] 27 rue de Fleurus [Paris]
My dear Van,
You will have got my telegram and sent me the things back. Frankly I am not keen on [Allen] Norton’s publishing ideas.1 My address this summer will be as usual 27 rue [de] Fleurus, although we are going to Spain. What has [Donald] Evans been doing. I wrote to him asking him for the account of Tender Buttons but haven’t gotten an answer. I’d like to have it. What is your book about. No I haven’t heard anything about Florence Bradley. There is nothing new here, everything is cheerful and the war goes on.
Regards to Fania and yourself.
Sincerely yours
Gertrude Stein.
1. Norton wrote Stein (5 November 1914?, YCAL) asking for permission to publish Stein’s “Spanish dancers.” He also expressed interest in The Making of Americans, which he had probably heard of through Van Vechten. Stein’s reply to Norton does not exist, but some notes that Stein drafted on the top of Norton’s letter to her indicate that she had sent him details of a contract for The Making of Americans. At the end of Stein’s “Aux Galeries Lafayette,” which appeared in the first number of Rogue, Norton wrote, “Rogue threatens to publish Miss Gertrude Stein’s History of a Family [i.e., The Making of Americans] which is in nine volumes of five hundred pages each” (Rogue [15 March 1915], 1(1):14).
In a telephone interview (2 December 1981) Norton’s first wife, now Mrs. Louise Varese, remembered that Van Vechten thought Stein was upset because Norton had not replied to her offer that he publish The Making of Americans. Mrs. Varese also remembered that Van Vechten advised Norton not to write to Stein again until after she had seen the first issue of Rogue.
To Gertrude Stein
11 March [1915] 210 West Forty-fourth Street
[New York]
Dear Gertrude Stein—
Your cablegram arrived too late as Rogue is already published and it includes Aux Galeries Lafayette. I am sending it to you with your other three manuscripts by registered post—and in this letter I am enclosing a cheque for Aux Galeries Lafayette. … I am sorry that I have given something to [Allen] Norton—if you didn’t want me to—but you wrote me to get you an agent and an agent, of course, would sell it to anyone he could sell to—even a newspaper. Naturally I thought this would be all right. If you think it is—after you have seen it—you might send him some more things—He said he would be glad to have something else later from you. His address is Allen Norton—205 West 56th Street—New York. … Everyone admires Aux Galeries tremendously. I read it aloud with great effect! and I am frequently asked to do so.1
I am excited and interested about the tales you are writing and about your departure from Paris. Where are you going? We may go to Italy or Spain this summer. Fan at present is in Florida acting in a lurid moving picture drama in which the principal scene seems to be a jaunt in a boat with a crazy sailor2—I do nothing but write and go to masked balls as Heliogabalus.3 All salutations to you and Miss Taklos, and so does Avery Hopwood!4
Always
Carlo V. V.
1. The only other work by Stein to appear in Rogue was the portrait “Mrs. Th----y, Rogue (December 1916), 2[i.e., 3] (3):16.
2. Marinoff played the role of Dorinda Ladue in the film The Lure of Mammon, directed by Kenean Buel, Kalem Production Company, 1915.
3. Roman Emperor notable for his profligacy. He was slain by his troops.
4. Avery Hopwood (1882–1928), the playwright, and Van Vechten met shortly after Van Vechten arrived in New York in 1906. Van Vechten introduced him to Mabel Dodge, who arranged a letter of introduction to Stein (undated letter, 1914–15, YCAL). Presumably Hopwood met Stein during this period. His close friendship with Stein began in 1923 and lasted until his death.
To Gertrude Stein
24 March [1915] 210 West Forty-fourth Street
[New York]
Dear Gertrude Stein,
You will have received your manuscripts, a copy of Rogue . . and a cheque by now. I am sending you a clipping from last Sunday’s Sun which may amuse you.1 You ask about Donald [Evans]—He has been very ill for the past few months. He has given up his position on the Times and neglected his business generally. Some time ago he left town—and is somewhere in the country. His New York address is—534 Fifth Avenue—possibly the letters you have sent him miscarried. That is his personal address.
All regards,
Carlo V. V.
1. An article in the New York Sun (21 March 1915, Sec. 3, p. 2), titled “What Is Happening in the World of Art,” discussed the first issue of Rogue and mentioned Stein’s “Aux Galeries Lafayette.”
To Carl Van Vechten
[postmark: 27 March 1915] 27 rue de Fleurus
[Paris]
My dear Van,1
I forgive you. It’s hard not to forgive when one sees oneself printed and has a check beside. [Allen] Norton has a certain quality but it doesn’t come off and that annoys me. We are not leaving Paris xcept for the summer. We are rather full up with war and xpect to stay some weeks in Palma where they haven’t got it. The Zeppelins didn’t make much noise and what there was was rather barrel like and soft but the alarm does. Later we will be in Madrid and then in the north of Spain. Continue to address here.
Always sincerely yours
Gertrude Stein.
Will you please get an accounting out of [Donald] Evans. I haven’t managed to. Perhaps you can. Thanks so much.2
G.S.
1. This letter was forwarded to Van Vechten at 70 Ludlow Street, where he was in jail. See Van Vechten to Stein, 30 April 1915, note 1.
2. Note by Van Vechten, 18 January 1941.
It was through me that Donald Evans published Tender Buttons. The Claire-Marie Press was his, named for a young actress Claire-Marie Burke whom we knew at the time. However, he wrote directly to her [i.e., Stein], at my suggestion, & made all the arrangements. After it was published, of course, it didn’t sell & so far as I know G. S. never got a penny from him. I doubt if Donald, who was a character himself, ever answered any of her letters demanding an accounting.
To Gertrude Stein
30 April 1915 210 West Forty-fourth Street
[New York]
Dear Gertrude Stein—
You will be amused, perhaps, to learn that I am again at large—We have at last arrived at an agreement which will make it impossible for Ann to incarcerate me again … on the other hand I
am to give her no more money!1
Walter Arensberg—is starting a new magazine—mostly of verse—in June.2 He would like to publish something by you … I’ll send you the first copy when it comes out and you can see what you think. … Of course I could sell something else to Rogue if you cared to.
I don’t know anything about Donald [Evans] these days except that he has become manager for Lady Duff Gordon—(Lucile Ltd.) at 160 Fifth Avenue. You might write him there. …3
The war still goes on. …
Fania is doing many moving pictures and also playing Louka in Bernard Shaw’xs Arms and the Man. …4
She wishes me to blow her salutations to you and Miss Taklos—
Sempre.
Carlo V. V.
1. On 5 April Van Vechten was found guilty of contempt of court for his failure to comply with the divorce agreement of 2 August 1912 between him and Anna Snyder Van Vechten and was sentenced to jail until he paid the back alimony or another arrangement was made. Van Vechten had been ordered to pay alimony of $18 per week, which he did until 26 May 1914. When his ex-wife started litigation on 9 March 1915, Van Vechten owed her $738.
When on 28 April 1915 Van Vechten signed an agreement with her, he was released from the Ludlow Street jail. In consideration of the sum of $2,250, she agreed to release him from all alimony claims.
2. Walter Conrad Arensberg, writer and art collector, provided the initial financing for the new magazine Others. Others was edited by the poet Alfred Kreymborg, who had been a member of the Imagist group. Others, which was published between July 1915 and July 1919, never printed any work by Stein.
3. Lady Duff-Gordon (Lucy Christiana Sutherland) had started a dress business in her London home at the time of her first marriage, to James Wallace. When she moved the business from her home to 24 Old Burlington Street, she dropped the name Mrs. James Wallace and called the shop the Maison Lucile. She was married to Sir Cosmo Duff-Gordon in 1900. In 1910 she opened a Maison Lucile shop in New York.
4. In addition to The Lure of Mammon, Marinoff made a number of films in 1915, including The Unsuspected Isles, The Galloper, Nedra, The Money Master, and The Battle.
To Carl Van Vechten
[postmark: 4 May 1915] Grand Hôtel, Palma de Mallorca
Îles Baléares
[Spain]
My dear Van,
Oh dear I am so sorry because that kind of thing is amusing for a bit and then it gets monotonous. As your alimony must have been so very little alimony they ought only to keep you in a little while. Do get out soon. We are peacefully on an island.1 The cigarettes are xcellent and contraband. The natives piratical but roundfaced, and the sunshine all we can ask.
I was awfully sorry to hear that [Donald] Evans has been ill. I like him very much. I also liked your description of him in Rogue.2
I guess we will be staying on here several months. I did a little thing about the islands one page and I am doing a longish peaceful one.
Regards to Fania and do get out comfortably,
Always sincerely yours
Gertrude Stein.
1. In early March Stein and Toklas became alarmed by German zeppelin raids on Paris. In late April they took a train for Barcelona. They remained there for several days and then took a boat for Mallorca.
2. Van Vechten’s “How Donald Dedicated His Poem,” Rogue (1 April 1915), 1:8–10.
To Carl Van Vechten
[postmark: 26 May 1915] Grand Hôtel, Palma de Mallorca
Îles Baléares
[Spain]
My dear Van,
I am glad you are out of jail. I don’t like jail even when it’s alimony. I suppose it’s only a prejudice but that’s the way I feel about it. We are staying on here another two months I imagine. It’s very pleasant and I am working fairly well, on a longish thing. About Rogue I would be willing to sell them Preciosilla for $50 if they want it, if they do you can armed with this letter get it from Mrs. Knoblauch who has it.1 I got a letter from [Donald] Evans saying he was sending me the account but as it hasn’t come we will assume it went down in the Lusitania and I will write to him about it again.2 If Rogue takes the Preciosilla send me the check here if it is sent within the month which it will be if they are to have it. Thanks so much.
Best to you both
Gertrude Stein.
1. Note by Van Vechten, 18 January 1941: “Mrs. Charles Knoblauch who had many of Gertrude’s mss. including The Making of Americans at this period."
2. Evans to Stein (26 March 1915, YCAL): “For some unaccountable reason your letter of several months ago relative to Tender Buttons only reached Claire Marie yesterday. I have ordered a statement prepared and it will be forwarded to you with a check in a day or two. I am very sorry for the delay.” No statement or check was received by Stein.
To Gertrude Stein
12 July 1915 Fairfax Arms
151 East 19th Street
New York
Dear Gertrude Stein,
You are splendidly in Spain while we are moving–-(You will note that we have a new address.) We have been West—and now I am settled down to write, while Fan is becoming a celebrated moving picture star.—New York is cool this summer and I don’t mind it for a change, especially as the new apartment is very high in the air and there are many breezes.1 But it would be nice to be in Spain. In fact I think we’ll be there before the winter is over. Does the war make a difference there?—You must like it or you wouldn’t go so often.
I find myself writing about nothing but music now—and people like the articles well enough to buy them. I suppose one should write about the war. Will it never be over!
Rogue is pausing for a few weeks. It is an impertinent pause—just as his movements were impertinent.
Regards to Miss Taklos and yourself from both of us.
Carlo Van Vechten
1. Before their marriage both Van Vechten and Marinoff had lived on the west side of Manhattan, he on West Forty-fourth Street and she in the St. Margaret, an apartment hotel on West Forty-seventh Street. This apartment, on the top floor of an apartment house on East Nineteenth Street, was their first joint apartment.
To Carl Van Vechten
[postmark: 10 August 1915] 45 Calle del dos de Mayo
Terreno
Palma de Mallorca
Îles Baléures
Spain
My dear Van,
Yours is a very red address.1 I think ours is very pretty. Anyway we have taken this little house for a few months and have imported our french servant who remains critical of the blue of the Mediterranean.2 It isn’t water color she says. We don’t know how long we are going to stay. A few months anyway. We have just been to Valencia for a week and saw all that there is to see of bull-fighting, Gallo, Gallito, and Belmonte. Those names don’t say anything to you but we saw five of the best fights. It’s the only thing that can make you forget the war that is it’s the only thing that’s made me forget the war. I hope Rogue isn’t dead for keeps. I kind of looked forward to their doing some of my longer short things like my sentimental novels etc. You can continue to address to Paris or here as you like. Best to Fania and yourself.
Gertrude Stein.
1. Van Vechten’s stationery reflected his new address: the Fairfax coat of arms printed in red.
2. Jeanne Poule, Stein’s Breton servant, had come from Paris.
To Carl Van Vechten
[Postcard]
[postmark: 23 August 1915] [45 Calle del dos de Mayo
Terreno
Palma de Mallorca
Îles Baléares
Spain]
My dear Van,
It’s getting a little damp here now that the sun isn’t hot so we will probably be going to Paris for a bit and then somewhere in Spain. So address Paris for the present. Best to you both
Gertrude Stein.
To Gertrude Stein
24 October 1915 Fairfax Arms
151 East 19th Street
New York
Dear
Gertrude Stein—
Rogue sort of bobs up and down like an apple in a tub of water—and I don’t know when it will come again.1 I envy you the bull-fights—they must make everything else seem less brutal—but we are to see them soon. We expect to go to Spain in April if we can get away. But now Fania is so occupied doing moving pictures that we can find no time for anything else. We are just returned from the Bahama Islands—Nassau—a city of 10,000 niggers, beautiful fish—and cocoa nut trees—where Fan was the heroine of a marvelous film2—Stephen Haweis is down there doing colored fish in cubes and circles—pretty things.3 Maurice Sterne has twelve—almost nudes of Mabel [Dodge] in the Montross Galleries—she takes several attitudes. In one she is reading a book with her feet on the chandelier.4
I am writing a great deal—are you?
We saw a negro religious revival in Nassau that in some ways must be said to excel a bull-fight. The creatures went into such violently hysterical conditions that they had to be held and tied—it was very diverting and made me forget God.
Do stay in Spain until we get there. I am told that we must go to Granada in May. … I suppose Spain is cold in the winter.
Remember us to Miss Taklos
Carlo V. V.
1. Financial difficulties caused Norton to abandon plans to publish Rogue twice monthly.
2. Marinoff and Van Vechten sailed from New York on 22 September 1915 on the S. S. Havana for Nassau in the Bahamas. Marinoff was engaged to play the role of Lady Hungerford in Nedra, a film by George Barr McCutcheon. Van Vechten appeared briefly in the film in the role of a warship captain.
Van Vechten utilized his experiences from this trip in two essays: “The Holy Jumpers,” in his In the Garret, pp. 131–45; and “On Visiting Fashionable Places out of Season,” in his Excavations, pp. 1–26.
3. Stephen Haweis (Hugh Oscar William Haweis) was an English-born painter and husband of the poet and painter Mina Loy (1882–1966). The Haweises were married on 31 December 1903. They first met Leo and Gertrude Stein in 1905 and became frequent visitors to the Stein’s Saturday night salon. The Haweises moved to Florence in 1906 and did not see the Steins again until 1909, when the Steins were staying in Fiesole. It was in Florence that the Haweises met Mabel Dodge, and through her, in July 1913, they met Van Vechten. Haweis had left Italy in 1913 and had traveled to the Fiji Islands, Tahiti, and Australia. He returned to New York and was planning on sailing to the Bahamas. The Haweises were divorced in October 1917.
