Collection Contents
Correspondence 1956-1972 (bulk 1956-1965)
Scope and Content Note
- There are 31 carbon copies of typed letters from May to Patchen mainly written between 1957-1965;
- 52 letters from Kenneth Patchen to James Boyer May beginning November 1956 through 1964, comprising 20 typed letters signed (TLS), 29 annotated letters signed (ALS), and three annotated post cards singed (APCS). The bulk of the correspondence sheds personal insight on the Patchen's physical troubles;
- 10 holograph letters, six typed letters, and seven cards from Miriam Patchen to May. Included is a 13 page carbon to an unidentified "Judith", which chronicles the medical mishaps of Patchen in great graphic detail. Many of the letters and envelopes from Miriam and Kenneth Patchen are hand decorated, presumably by Kenneth Patchen;
- Three other incoming letters, one from William Packard informing May of Charlie Mingus benefit concert, which raised $350 for Patchen, and a forwarded copy from William L. Rothenberg, Chairman of Carnegie Fund for Authors, to William Packard notifying of Patchen's disqualification from the Fund in 1961.
Outgoing to Kenneth and Miriam Patchen [31 carbon copy letters, 35 pp] 1957-1965 1972
Incoming: Kenneth Patchen 1956-1964 n.d.
Seasons' Greeting Card, "A Parable At the Year's End..." [+ env.] Dec. 27, 1964
ALS, "Please - the 40 dollars is not from me: " [2 pp + env.] Aug. 30, 1961
ALS, "No, you didn't tell us about Geraldine's bump." [2 pp + env.] Aug. 18, 1961
ALS, "May be duplicating what I relayed while in the hospital, by anyway -" [2 pp. + env.; decorated] Nov. 3, 1960
ALS, "Your good letter: thanks are badly said by couple quick questions. ", [1 pg + env.; decorated] Sep 28, 1960
ALS, "Most pleasant to get Geraldine's chatty and thoughtful letter - and the more appreciated..." [3 pp + env.; decorated Sep. 22, 1960
ALS, "How nice to think of the doves!" [4 pp + env.; decorated] Aug. 24, 1960
ALS, "Yesterday doctor discovered that my blood pressure is very high..." [1 pg + env.; decorated] Aug. 19, 1960
ALS, "Nothing new to report [letter results, that is]." [1 pg + env.; decorated] Aug. 17, 1960
ALS, "Very bad time these past days, too done in for anything." [1 pg + env.; decorated] Aug. 10, 1960
ALS, "You tell me that you did no more than anyone would do:", [2 pp + env.; decorated] Jul. 26, 1960
ALS, "Our 'big' address book just will not be foun d, but I've garnered a few names for you." [1 pg + env.; decorated] Jul. 10, 1960
ALS, "Just up to this.." [1 pg + env.] Jul. 8, 1960
ALS "It may happen - nothing definite as yet - that our only remaining hope, course, what -have-you, will be to bring suit against the doctors and hospital..." [4 pp + env.] May 31, 1960
ALS, "As you've probably guessed, things have been almost impossibly rough for us." [1 pg. + env.] May 26, 1960
ALS, "The past week has been so strange and depressing..." [4 pp + env.] May 11, 1960
TLS "Book reviewing out of my line: policy matter: so don't say no to doing something for you, only that I never do that. " [1 pg] Feb. 17, 1960
ALS, "What an amazing ability you have ..." [1 pg + env.] Jan. 24, 1960
ALS, "We both very much appreciated Geraldine's fine, long letter." [2 pp + env.] Jan. 8, 1960
ALS, "Forgot couple things: about my play - the planned road tour..." [1 pg. + env.] Jan. 8, 1960
ALS, " Many thanks for your KP items in Trace." [1 pg] Nov. 14, [1959]
TLS, "No, we missed the CBS program...your word of it was our first..." [1 pg] Oct. 2, [1959]
ALS, "Just after phone talk - the two news items, very briefly: The Troupe Theater in Palo Alto will present world premier of my 1st play, DON'T LOOK NOW, on October 9th..." [2 pp + env.] Aug. 24, 1959
TLS, "What with one thing and a thousand others Miriam hasn't been able to get round to answering Geraldine's letter. " [1 pg] July 1959
ALS "Trying to finish my book [poems and drawings] BECAUSE IT IS, which New Directions will publish in fall as a paperback..." [1 pg + env.; pink silk paper] May 6, 1959
ALS, "Harried as I am by trips to clinic here and to Stanford Hospital in SF for tests and x-rays for the operation, I can't remember whether I wrote to you since return from NY or not..." [1 pg + env.] Apr. 24, [1959]
ALS, "The Doctors conferred over me on Tuesday: report- 'a 2.5 m. leianyoms at the upper esophagus which has ... been largely a symptomatic." [1 pg + env.] Mar. 7, 1959
ALS, "Readings to turn away crowds everywhere - but what a beating one takes!" [1 pg + env.] Feb. 27, 1959
TLS, "Just too uncomfortable with stepped up traction to get round to doing much of anything." [1 pg; blue top edge, signed in red ink] Jan. 25, 1959
TLS, "I'm sure that the holiday period gave you little chance to work on your novel...or much else." [1 pg; blue top edge, singed in green ink] Jan. 9, 1959
TLS, "I've said no to Occidental College." [1 pg; blue top edge, signed in brown ink] Dec. 10, 1958
TLS, "Hope you are finding time and inspiration for the novel. " [1 pg; blue top edge] Nov. 25, [1958]
TLS "Appearance of magazine much improved. Things at lowest ebb with us." [1 pg; blue top edge, signed in blue ink] Oct. 28, 1958
ALS, "Yesterday Dent Hand delivered phonograph - fine to have a machine again, and such a good one!" [1 pg + env.] Oct. 16, 1958
TLS, "Received the section listing Grants etc...." [1 pg; blue top edge, signed in green ink, + holograph note] Sep. 9, 1958
TLS, "Two things. I wonder if it's convenient for you to lend me that book which has the listing of writers' grants and awards--" [1 pg + env.; blue top edge, signed in green ink, + holograph note] Aug. 27, 1958
TLS, "How nice of Geraldine to be phoning up an audience for the TV show." [1 pg; blue top edge, singed in black ink] Aug. 26, 1958
TLS, "Coat arrived in handsome neat boxshape...' [1 pg] Aug. 9, 1958
TLS, "Yes, played tapes. Suffer on this beat-out machine..." [1 pg; blue top edge, signed in red ink] Aug. 2, 1958
TLS, "Brother! since getting home it has been sixty eleven things after another, bang, bang, bang..." [1 pg; blue top edge, signed in green ink] Jul. 24, 1958
TLS, "I've written to the program director in Brussels telling her that I am delighted to have the invitation..." [1 pg; signed in blue ink] Jun. 29, 1958
TLS, "X-rays show a badly dislocated neck, and I'm in collar-brace until muscle spasm subsides enough to permit traction." [1 pg; blue top edge, signed in green ink] Jun. 22, 1958
TLS, "I wish I could answer your good letter with news of a better kind than prompted it." [1 pg; signed in blue ink] Jun. 4, 1958
ALS, "Some day, when I see you, I'll tell you the story of what these past weeks have been for us - really incredible, one blow after the other, without let up -" [1 pg] May 27, 1958
TLS, "Thanks for your letter and the list of names." [1 pg + env.; blue top edge, signed in red ink] Apr. 23, 1958
ALS, "With the opportunity to rest, I find myself tireder than I knew." [1 pg + env.] Mar. 28, 1958
TLS, "Thanks for your kind note of the 21st. " [1 pg] Oct. 27, 1957
TLS, "I would have thanked you before now for your statement about 'Hurrah for Anything' except for the intrusion of a bad experience brought on by one of the new medicines." [1 pg] May 21, 1957
ALS, "Thank you very much for sending me the magazine carrying your interesting article." [1 pg + envelope] Nov. 16, 1956
APCS, "A few more names-by the bye, I never received The International Guide" n.d.
ALS, "As You can guess I've hardly time to catch my breath just now!" [1 pg; a note] Oct 17
APCS, "My printed notice of portfolio would be appreciated." n.d.
Two empty envelopes Nov 18, 1958 Jul 28, 1960
Attachments, mailing list [holograph, 5 pp]
Incoming: Miriam Patchen 1958-1972 n.d.
APCS, "Thank you for your message" [+ env.] Jan. 17, 1972
ALS, "And time goes by - Got these yesterday so this late word." Dec. 1964
APCS, "Your long-ago beautiful letter has been sitting among my papers for months, waiting an answer..." [+ env.] Jul. 20, 1964
TL, "So many thanks for your prompt and good help. I was quite desperate, as you judged." [13 pp; includes holograph post script, detailed description of Patchen's medical conditions and events] Feb. 14, 1962
ALS, "There is so much to say. First, however, there is the main thing: The friendship withstands any difficulties in communication." [1 pg + env; 11x 17, decorated] post-Feb 1962
APCS, "How cruel... to send us 'coffee munchies' Mr. and Mrs. and not join us." [Painted Poem card - "The Walker, standing" ] Dec. 30, 1961
APCS, "Just to say we think of you there: in your wild work period, alone with livestock etc." [Painted Poem card - "The one who comes to question himself"] Dec. 12, 1961
APCS, "Have a good safe trip, Boyer, comeback soon. " [Painted Poem card - "The walker, standing" ] Oct. 13, 1961
APCS, "Forget the Doubleday deal-their banker [called banker!] says it would be too expensive. More later" Aug. 7, 1961
TLS, "What a beautiful article", [1 pg + evn.; decorated] Aug. 5, 1961
ALS, "Seeing your here - and Alphonse, too - was as exciting and unsatisfactory as an unexpected long-distance call." [4 pp + env.; decorated] Jul. 3, 1961
ALS, " Geraldine's card came about two weeks ago: I'm ashamed." [3 pp + env.; decorated] May 31, 1961
TLS, "As usual, I am in a burning fever about something..." [1 pg + env.; decorated] Apr. 18, 1961
ALS, "Of course - if we were dying, we'd insist on your coming - and we'd die if you didn't" [1 pg + env.; decorated] Feb. 20, 1961
ALS, "Kenneth is home from the hospital with a nurse." [1 pg, 2 clippings, 1 benefit program, 1 exhibit flyer + env.] Feb. 11, 1961
TLS, "Kenneth will be home tonight, though we went to the hospital only Sunday..." [1 pg + env.; decorated] Jul. 15, 1959
TLS, "That must have seemed a stupid and distraught sort of mad call last night." [1pg] Jul. 22, 1958
TLS, "It was a lousy way to leave, and none felt worse about it than we. It was all wrong at that point." [1 pg] n.d.
ALS, "Judging from what is happening, the Bank of America can't handle a simple transfer to another of their branches - so undoubtedly will not honor our check to you -" [1 pg] n.d.
ALS, "How terribly good to hear from you - it's as if from another world another day." [4 pp] n.d.
ALS, "It's always good when a artificial push gets one into the water after that too-long-hesitation." [2 pp] n.d.
ALS, "How good to talk to you. I knew it would please Kenneth to break t raining and talk on the phone - to you" [2 pp] n.d.
PCS, signed Christmas card n.d.
Incoming: Other 1961-1962
Miriam Patchen to Curtis Zahn, APCS, "What's happened to your issue of Coastlines?" Jul. 28, 1962
William Packard to James Boyer May, [1 pg. carbon copy, signed] Jan. 4, 1961
William L. Rothenberg [Carnegie Fund for Authors] to William Packard [1 pg. carbon copy] May 9, 1961
Printed Material 1957-1961
Scope and Content Note
Ephemera 1958-1961
1. Invitation to "Paintings by Kenneth Patchen on Show at the City Lights Gallery" March-April 1965
2. Program to "San Francisco Tribute to Kenneth Patchen", Marines' Memorial Theater. [featured Kenneth Rexroth, James Broughton, Jonathan Williams, Herb Barman Concert Jazz Orchestra etc.] Jan. 29, 1961
3. Announcement, "Kenneth Patchen Reads with the Chamber Jazz Sextet [+ env] [1959]
4. Prospectus for "The Famous Painted Edition Patchen Books... When We Were Here Together, Hurrah for Anything, Poemscapes.."
5. Flyer distributed through Trace, publication headed by James Boyer May, to inform Patchen's blithe.
6. Typescript for a press release announcing "Poet Invited to Read at Brussels" [1 pg]
7. Typescript, "News flash about "poetry-jazz" sessions with Chamber Jazz Sextet..." [1 pg]
Newspaper clippings 1957-1961
1. "An Artistic Tribute To an Ailing Poet", San Francisco Examiner, (p.3) Jan 29, 1961
2. "Tribute-benefits set for Kenneth Patchen", Daily Palo Alto Times, (p.5) Dec. 31, 1960
3. "American Poems: New Recordings Reveal Poets Divided in the Nineteenth Century, Too", Thomas Lask. The New York Times, Aug. 23, 1959
4. "TV: Poetry Plus Jazz", Jack Gould [1958]
5. Comic strip "Not satisfied with reading poetry to jazz, they're now rewriting the Declaration of Independence: We dig these truths to be real frantic..." 1958
6. A book review for Hurrah for Anything, "A Wild World of His Own", John Holmes 1957
7. "Depute in Four Figures: Night Club Offers Unique Blend---Poetry and Jazz", Allan Brown. San Francisco Chronicle, (p. 14) [concert at Black Hawk] Oct. 6, 1957
8. "Jazzman in Rhymes", Dick Stannard. Peninsula Living, (p.10, 23) Oct. 19-20, 1957
9. "Bufano Offers Art Work To Help a Poet in Need"
10. "A Revolution in Poetry", Art Buchwarld. N.Y. Herald-Tribune 1958