Beschreibung:

STRAVINSKY ARCHIVE, INCLUDING LOVE LETTERS TO AND FROM HIS WIFE. This lot features a tremendous collection of correspondence all dating from Stravinsky's immigration to the United States in 1939. In 1940 he settled in Hollywood with his second wife, Vera Sudeikina, whom he had loved since 1921 and whom he married in America after the death of his first wife. Vera and Igor thrived in Hollywood, establishing one of the most elegant salons on the West Coast. Not only does this archive contain two weeks of passionate correspondence between Igor and Vera as they await her divorce so that they may finally marry, but it also features 7 years of incoming correspondence from their family, friends, and acquaintances in the artistic community. 1. 11 Autograph Letters Signed ("I" and "Igor Stravinsky"), in pencil and ink, 37 pages recto and verso, octavo (some conjoining leaves), in Russian, Boston and Chicago, February 2 to February 26, 1940, to his fiance Vera Sudeikina, with original transmittal envelopes, fine. On tour in Boston and Chicago while his fiance remains in Charleston, SC, Stravinsky writes letters full of longing. From February 5, loosely translated: "It's very sad when I go back to my hotel and you're not here ... I was surrounded by journalists and cameraman asking 'Are you going to get married? What is the name of your future wife?' I answered, 'It is true I am getting married, but I think it's better if I say nothing more because I don't want to give you too much information, I will keep something back for our next interview' ... My thoughts are only of you, my darling ... Yours, I." In other letters, Stravinsky gives news of his concert tour and counts the days until he will see Vera again. 2. 14 Autograph Letters Signed ("Vera"), 29 pages recto and verso, quarto, in Russian, Charleston, SC, February 5 to February 26, 1940, to Igor Stravinsky, with original transmittal envelopes, fine. Vera's letters to Igor contain equally passionate protestations of love. From February 23: "My love ... I am also waiting for the wonderful moment when we will be husband and wife. I think of nothing else. I hope everything will go smoothly and God will help us...." On the envelope of Vera's letter of February 17, Stravinsky has inscribed on the verso two messages to be sent by telegram :"Please send letters Auditorium Hotel Chicago because we changed domicile," and "Ascertained Volkoff is too far from concert hall moved to Auditorium hotel send your letter received yours, letter follows." On the recto beneath the address, Stravinsky has sketched a musical quotation from an unidentified work. 3. Document Signed ("Igor Stravinsky"), 1 page, quarto, Boston, April 15, 1940, being a letter certifying that Stravinsky has been fingerprinted by the Boston Police department, with the signed fingerprint card, 1 page, quarto, n.p., n.d., some creasing and staining to both pages, crease affecting signature on fingerprint card. Present also is a similar document and fingerprint card for Vera Soudeikine Stravinsky. Soon after their marriage Igor and Vera had themselves fingerprinted by the Boston Police Department, no doubt in compliance with immigration laws. 4. An archive of correspondence from friends and family in Europe and America totalling several hundred pieces, 1939-1946, all to Vera and Igor Stravinsky, most with original transmittal envelopes, in good to fine condition. This collection features letters from the Stravinsky's relatives in Europe, including MICHAEL, THEODORE, MILENE and DENISE STRAVINSKY; their friends in Hollywood, including MR.and MRS. BASIL RATHBONE; and their fellow artists, including PAVEL TCHELITCHEV and JULIET and MAN RAY. See Illustrations