by Edward Burns
To Gertrude Stein
27 December 1945 101 Central Park West
New York City 23
Dearest Baby Woojums,
Bennett [Cerf] says he has written you that he will publish an anthology of Steiniana, including the whole of The Autobiography of Alice Β Toklas, and Four Saints, and lots of other things. He has asked me to write an introduction, to select and edit this collection; what suggestions have YOU to make, please? I am advising Wars I have Seen from the point where the Americans come, probably the whole of Tender Buttons, and The Portrait of Mabel Dodge at the Villa Curonia, among other things. T[ender] B[uttons] and the Portrait are so rare now that nobody can see them and everybody wants to and the Portrait opens like a Handel Oratorio on spreading harmonious chords: The Days are wonderful and the nights are wonderful and the life is pleasant! You must let us know what YOU want in this BIG BOOK and also tell me if there is anything you particularly want said in the Introduction.1. . There is another matter which I would like to speak about. Some years ago you gave Ann Watkins OR Margot Johnson permission to handle The Gertrude Stein Reader and another book. At your request, I turned the mss over to them. As you know they have done nothing with these. I wish you would have them return the manuscripts to me, as it is possible we might want to use one of these in the Anthology. At any rate, I think they have had them long enough. I don’t know exactly whether you wrote to Margot Johnson or Ann Watkins, but Margot has now left Ann and works for the firm of A and S Lyons 515 Madison Avenue. Ann Watkins is at 77 Park Avenue. If you recall which one you wrote to before, write her again, unless you prefer to leave the mss where they are which I think is a bad idea. They should be returned to ME of course. Thank you for the copy of Yank with the interesting interview and I hope SOON to see the proofs of Brewsie and Willie!2 Dish towels went to you weeks ago via Mercury [Joseph] Barry, along with flints, coffee and rice. It seems you wanted these all the time but dish cloths are what Barrie [i.e., Barry] asked for and in department store parlance you wash with these and wipe with towels. Mercury Barry writes me he can still receive packages and now I have Mercury St Christopher [Blake] to send things through too. How heavenly it is, all of it: Saints and Gods everywhere in OUR World! You say “Look up Bill Walton” but you don’t say HOW or WHERE, so how can I? but I did see Richard Whorf one day here lunching and he had lunched in Paris the day before and WE TALKED of you. Indeed yes, we talked of you. Giovanni [Bianco] is quite neurotic and is giving up his jobs and going to Florida. I think he finds New York too tame after life with you and Mama Woojums … A very good friend of mine MAY go to Berlin on an army job and if he does I’ll send him to you … Christmas is more Christmas than ever now the Wars are over (?) and everybody is behaving more foolishly than ever (real caviare and champagne in streams as broad as the Amazon) again until Wall Street has another crash or New York is crushed by an atomic bomb … The last of my canteens (Service Women’s Tea Dance at the Hotel Roosevelt every Sunday) closed last Sunday, but I have God’s plenty to do and will begin to photograph a little more extensively now that paper is coming back. This afternoon I am photographing the Mexican painter [Rufino] Tamayo and his beautiful wife. So Happy New Year to you and Mama Woojums from Fania and
Papa Woojums!
1. The idea for a volume of selected writings by Stein is first mentioned in Stein to Van Vechten [29 June 1936]. In a series of letters beginning 25 May [1945] (Columbia-Random House) Stein began urging Cerf to republish some of her works. In an undated letter (? September 1945, Columbia-Random House), Stein wrote Cerf, “You see I think some of my books should be treated like classics and left on sale.” In a letter of 15 November [1945] (Columbia-Random House) Stein became insistent with Cerf and chided him for not answering her letters about republishing her books.
Cerf had already been thinking of a volume of Stein’s selected writings. On 11 December 1945 (YCAL) he cabled Stein, “Keep your pants on letter that will delight you is on way.” On 13 December 1945 (YCAL) Cerf wrote acknowledging the receipt of the typescript of Brewsie and Willie. He also announced his plans to publish a one-volume edition of Stein’s selected writings. The volume, Selected Writings of Gertrude Stein, edited and with an introduction and notes by Van Vechten, was published by Random House on 21 October 1946.
2. “Give Me Land,” an interview with Stein by Sergeant Scott Corbett, Yank, Continental edition (11 November 1945), 2(16):[17].
To Gertrude Stein and Alice Toklas
[Christmas card]
[? December] 1945 [101 Central Park West
New York]
Dear Darlings both and always may the New Year bring you health, Peace and blessings.
Our Love is ever with you
Carl, Fania1
1. Letter and both signatures by Fania Marinoff.
To Carl Van Vechten
[1 January 1946]
New Year’s Day 5 rue Christine
[Paris]
Dearest Papa Woojums,
Happy New Year to you and Fania from us both, made happy New Year because Jo Barry just came in and said that you were going to edit and introduce the volume Bennett [Cerf] is intending to do for the Modern Library Giants. I am so pleased, nobody could do it like you, you know Papa Woojums they used your introduction to Three Lives to announce my lecture to the Belgians in Brussells. And now several things. First Bobby Haas you remember has been working for a number of years now on an anthology of my work, but I do not think that has anything to do with this. His is a book intended principally for universities and to be published by some university press, and is to be something that includes unpublished as well as published.1 Now as I understand Bennett’s idea and that would entirely suit me would be that it would contain in full all the what might be called most popular things such as the Autobiography, Making of Americans, that of course would not be in full but a fair slice, Tender Buttons, Four Saints, Mabel Dodge at the Villa Curonia, selected portraits from Portraits and Prayers, and some plays of Geography and Plays and I would like some American things from Useful Knowledge, including 4 Religions and sort of end up with the Atlantic Monthly article The Winner Loses, if there is still room one of the Lectures in America. It would be nice to do it chronologically. I do not see much sense in putting in Three Lives since that is the only book on sale of mine at the present moment in America, nor selections from Wars I have seen which must or should be still in print. I have not yet written to Bennett but I am writing to him by this same mail to tell him my pleasure in it and you,2 bless you papa Woojums, the sun is shining, so brightly on this the first new year of the peace that it cannot help being a pleasure to all concerned, Basket is going to painted by Marie Laurencin,3 the opera is getting on fine, it is now to be an opera in two acts with an interlude. The first act ends with a magnificent duet between Susan Β [Anthony] and Daniel Webster. Tell Virgil [Thomson], I haven’t his address
lots of love Baby Woojums.
1. Haas had been working for some years on the idea of an anthology of Stein’s work, “Primer for Reading Gertrude Stein,” that would use Stein’s writings to explain herself, to explicate her intentions. This anthology was never published. Haas did, however, edit three collections of Stein’s works: A Primer for the Gradual Understanding of Gertrude Stein, Reflections on the Atomic Bomb, and How Writing is Written.
2. Stein cabled Cerf on 4 January 1946 (Columbia-Random House) that she was delighted with the idea for the book and with the idea that Van Vechten should write an introduction.
3. Stein had known the painter Marie Laurencin (1885-1957) since 1907. Laurencin’s portrait of Basket II, oil on canvas, 1946, 18⅛ × 15 inches, is now in YCAL.
To Carl Van Vechten
26 January [1946] 5 rue Christine
[Paris]
My dearest Papa Woojums,
I hope I am not bothering you with too many visitors, it seems that I have been sending you a steady stream recently and perhaps you have not yet seen them all, but they do want to see you
and we think you like to have them tell you about us, the Bill Walton was the New York Life and Time man, and now there is going to be an actress Norma Chambers who was with us New Year’s day and read a lot of the opera and then a Captain [Edward] Geisler who was our cavalier in Belgium, and the dish towels, Alice has never loved anything as much, that lovely blue and the lovely flowers that make the blue, Alice has never loved anything more, and the rice, delicious rice, we have not even yet really realized that rice is ours, bless you both, no I have no connection with the Ann Watkins people, they never did anything for me and I dropped the connection, they were no good. I have very good agents here in France and in England1 and they sell a lot for me and I really make money but I have never really succeeded in having anybody act for me in America, sorrowfully, you will be pleased to know that a lot of my books are going to be translated in Italian and they pay me well,2 it is pleasant to be well paid these days because life is xpensive. I am delighted about the Omnibus, when you really have made up your mind, let me know but I know that I will be satisfied with whatever you do. You were awfully good to the young lot of Yes is for a very young man, they write passionate letters of enthusiasm and it would be nice if they were successful with it.3 Basket has just had his portrait painted by Marie Laurencin, very lovely, and we are all very pleased, all the Mercuries are flourishing and everybody loves you, but more than anybody Baby Woojums, love to you both
Always. [Gertrude Stein]
1. Stein’s English agent was Pearn, Pollinger & Higham Ltd. Their American representative was Ann Watkins, Inc. Mrs. Bradley represented Stein in France.
2. The Italian writer Cesare Pavese had translated Stein’s The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas in 1938 and her Three Lives in 1940. Wars I Have Seen, Guerre Che Ho Visto, translated by Giorgio Minicelli, was published by Arnoldo Mondadori in 1947.
3. Lamont Johnson had written of his visit with Van Vechten in a letter to Stein, 1 January 1946 (YCAL). In the same letter he writes of meeting Virgil Thomson, who played the score of Four Saints in Three Acts for him. The letter also asks Stein questions about the play Yes Is For a Very Young Man and makes suggestions for changes.
To Gertrude Stein
28 January 1946 101 Central Park West
New York City 23
Dearest Baby Woojums,
Happy Birthday to you! You write me that Joe Barry came to tell you he had heard from me about the Anthology. Didn’t you get an airmail letter from me TOO? I wrote YOU directly before I wrote him. Anyway Bennett [Cerf] called me a week ago to go over the books and make my selections and I had lunch with him and this is what we propose to do:
The Autobiography of Alice B Toklas (complete)
The Gradual Making of the Making of Americans (from Lectures in America)
The Making of Americans (selections)
Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, from Portraits and Prayers
Tender Buttons (complete)
Four Saints (complete)
Melanctha (complete) from Three Lives
Portrait of Mabel Dodge at the Villa Curonia
Have They Attacked Mary-He Giggled
Miss Furr and Miss Ske[e]ne and selected plays from Geography and Plays
Wars I Have Seen, Pages 194-246: The Coming of the Americans
Lend a Hand or Four Religions (from Useful Knowledge)
The Winner Loses (Atlantic Monthly, November 1940)
As a Wife Has a Cow
Composition as Explanation
Bennett and I both agree that a chronological order will be bad as we want to begin with the Autobiography, but the above order is certainly not even planned. It is only the titles set down. And we simply will not hear of leaving out Melanctha or the end of Wars I have Seen. You see this Anthology is supposed to last a LONG TIME and must have as much of your best work as we can cram in to it and far from damaging the other sales it will add to them. Bennett has a letter from [James] Laughlin of New Directions requesting him to please use Melanctha as it will help the sale of Three Lives and I know Dick Wright would be very mad if we left this out.1 Bennett was planning this book as a surprise for you. He wanted to hand it to you finished on a platter, but you forced his hand and he had to tell you, but don’t you think it will be SOMETHING! He thinks that it will do good business for both of you… I am happy to be in it, VERY, VERY happy!
Please answer at ONCE, so that I will know you have this.
Fania and I send lots of love to you and Mama Woojums!
Papa Woojums!
1. In 1941 New Directions reprinted the 1933 Modern Library edition of Stein’s Three Lives.
Wright had written enthusiastically about “Melanctha,” one of the stories in Three Lives, in his review of Stein’s Wars I Have Seen, in PM, Sunday Picture News Section, 11 March 1945, p. 15. He had also written about it in “Why I Chose ’Melanctha’ by Gertrude Stein,” in I Wish I’d Written That, ed. Whit Burnett (New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1946), p. 234.
To Carl Van Vechten
5 February [19]46 [5 rue Christine,
Paris]
Dearest Papa Woojums
Your birthday letter with the full list just came and it does seem absolutely perfect, the only thing I can suggest is that you include some piece of a child’s book, either The World is Round or the First Reader, I imagine the World is Round would be the best, and they certainly would give you permission, that is just one side that should be included, otherwise I think your list is perfect, I can’t tell you how happy I am that it is you that is doing it, just as happy as can be, Marie Laurencin just made a photo [i.e., painting] of Basket, I will send you a photo of it soon, and we love you both, and it is I hope not too difficult a world with all those strikes, so much love,
Always
Baby Woojums.
To Gertrude Stein
4 March 1946 101 Central Park West
New York City 23
Dearest Baby Woojums,
It is always pleasant to receive presents and I loved getting The White Cow from you which is a beautiful present, both pictures and text.1. And Lamont Johnson sent me Yes is for a Very Young Man, but I had no more than time to glance at it before I had to send it off to Paul Feigay, the manager, who BURNED on the other end of the telephone to receive it, read it, and perhaps produce it. He promised to send it back immediately, but he has not done so which may be good for you, but which is bad for ME. Fania had a chance to read it much more carefully than I; besides she is more familiar with reading scripts and understands them better and she thinks it will act like a charm. Somehow I believed in Lamont Johnson (WHY won’t he change his name to the more euphonious Johnson Lamont, it would MAKE HIM) when I met him and his enthusiasm thrills me. He sends me letters and telegrams by every post and wires begging me to come out.2 He wouldn’t have to beg me were the OMNIBUS out of the way, but I am working very intensively on that and must get this work finished before I can go ANYWHERE, even to see a play of YOURS. But I am at white heat with excitement about the whole thing. . I haven’t heard from Joe Barry in ages and YOU never answer questions; so I don’t know whether you get only his letters or the letters I send you direct TOO. You say you dropped the connection with Ann Watkins, but you don’t say if you have written her, dropping it, and asking that she return the manuscripts to ME (TO DO and FIRST READER) They were inscribed to me and besides I might want to send them ELSEWHERE if you will definitely cut off with her. Have I ever sent you any of my color photographs? If not I will presently. And next time you come over I’ll take YOU and Mama Woojums in color. In the meantime, PLEASE send me a photograph of Marie Laurencin’s Basket. . And what happened to St Christopher Baker [i.e., Blake] who wanted to be a Mercury before Joe Barry found out a way he could continue to be THE Mercury. St Christopher just disappeared. In going over the “SOIL” I find [Robert] Coady advertised a pamphlet called “How Could They Marry Her”x (limited to 100 autographed copies at $5). Was this really ever published?3
Fania wants to send Alice some mo
re towels and probably will one of these days In the meantime Lots of Love to you both,
Papa W!
I’ll send you the complete plan of the Omnibus soon. Edward Waterman is going to Paris in April and Mary Garden and Dick Wright!4 Quel FUN!
Fania sends a kiss!
Are you going south this summer?
xby G. S.
1. Stein’s A Book Concluding With As a Wife Has A Cow A Love Story, illustrated by Juan Gris.
2. Johnson, who had grown up in California, was living at this time in Pasadena, California.
3. Robert Coady and Michael Brenner, who owned the Washington Square Gallery, published a periodical, The Soil. Stein’s portrait, “Mrs Th----y,” was printed in The Soil (December 1916), 1(1): 16. Their plans for “How Could He Marry Her” did not materialize. The piece was published posthumously in Envoy (January 1951), 14:57-71. Coady and Brenner had had other plans to publish works by Stein. See Stein to Van Vechten [23 February 1917], note 3.
4. In his letter to Stein, 27 May 1945 (in Gallup, The Flowers of Friendship, pp. 379-81), Wright reveals his motivations for wanting to come to Paris. See also Michel Fabre, The Unfinished Quest of Richard Wright (New York: William Morrow and Co. Inc., 1973), pp. 297-98. Wright hoped to find in Paris a city where a black writer would be treated without prejudice.
To Carl Van Vechten
9 March [19]46 [5 rue Christine,
Paris]
My dearest Papa Woojums,
I always answer questions yes I do, and I am so happy that Fania liked my play and thinks it will act like a charm, sure we get your letters and actually civilian mail now comes more quickly than military. Jo [Barry] is no longer military, Chris [Blake] still is, and says he has written to you. Ann Watkins says she lost the ms. just how she managed to do that I don’t know, but when I asked her to return them she said that they were lost.1 I don’t think the Soil ever published any book, they intended to and then the Irishman that did it up and died and I am quite certain that nothing else was done.2 I am so happy that you are doing the omnibus, everyday I am happy about it, Nathalie [Barney] and Romaine [Brooks] stayed in Italy all the time and are still there3 she is talking about coming to Paris next month, it would be nice if it could be you instead of everybody, we have no plans for the summer yet, we have no house and don’t yet quite know what we will do, Alice says to tell you all your pretty stamps came in 5 days, which is the quickest a letter has ever come. The opera is almost finished thanks for Susan B’s stamp, I will be sending it to you in a couple of weeks to pass on to Virgil [Thomson], Alice says thanks to Fania, here is Marie Laurencin’s Basket, bless you both always and always
