Beschreibung:

Collection of correspondence between Robert Graves and his American friend William Chapman
An archive of 7 letters and one inscribed flier highlighting 18 years of correspondence between graves and time and life writer william chapman Interesting in its longevity, the collection follows Graves from England into his Mallorca retirement, including two war-date letters discussing the nazis, american airplanes, and the ministry of propaganda. Throughout the entire correspondence, Graves openly reports of his publishing activity, his growing family, and encounters with winston churchhill and hemingway's former wife, martha gellhorn. Collection includes: 1) Autograph letter signed "Robert". Westminster Bank: postmarked 30 August 1939. 1p (245 x 200 mm). With original mailing envelope on which Graves has written "From Robt. Graves". Letter to "Dear Bill" c/o the American Consulate in Glasgow discussing the price and genuinness of an old item. 2) Autograph letter signed "Robert Graves". The Yale House, Galmpton, S. Devon: 15 July 1942. (125 x 170 mm). 4 pages on 2 small sheets. With original mailing envelope. Letter to "My dear Bill" in New Hope, Pennsylvania congratulating him on his new son, an unexpected letter from Winston Churchill on how much he had liked his Sergeant Lamb books, and on wartime employment: If I was forced to do war-work I wouldn't go into the Ministry of Information - I'd make ships in some ship-yard in this neighborhood. I wouldn't make ships as well as I make books but at least it would be a more self-respecting job than propaganda, however good the cause. 3) Autograph letter signed "Robert." The Yale House, Galmpton, S. Devon: 11 November 1943. 2 pages on one large sheet (325 x 200 mm). Letter addressed to Bill in New Hope congratulating him for his job at Time and his children, the publishing of his Golden Fleece, he describes some other projects and discusses life during wartime: we hear the terrible hum of the planes you built, going over in their hundreds to erase the Germans … the Nazi's are fighting with a rope around their neck … 5) Autograph letter signed "Robert Graves". Canellun, Mallorca, Spain: 17 December 1947. 1p (270 x 200 mm). Letter to Bill inviting him to join him in Mallorca via the boat from Barcelona. 6) Autograph letter signed "Robert". Canellun, Mallorca, Spain: 23 June 1948. 2 pages on 1 sheet (270 x 200 mm). Letter to Bill discussing moving back to England, his stories at Life Magazine and humorously note that: I'd better not join your cricket team, the last time I played cricket a European War broke out on the following day … 7) Autograph letter signed "Robert". Mallorca, Spain: 8 April 1956. 2 pages on one large sheet (275 x 210 mm). Letter to Bill discussing the visit of Tom Matthews and Martha Gellhorn, whose children he watches while they attend bullfights, some publishing news and the re-filming of I Claudius. [And:] A 1939 flier from the Park Lane Hotel in London advertising a Christmas special, signed "And a happy New Year from Robert Graves" on first panel. Condition: usual folds, some creasing and marginal tears, offsetting to two letters, envelopes worn, flier soiled.