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Guide to the William Plumley Collection
MS 175  
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Collection Contents

box-folder 1:1-79; 2:1-15

Correspondence 1946-1972 (bulk 1956-1958)

Physical Description: 94 folders

Scope and Content Note

This series contains autographed (ALS) and typed (TLS) letters, and postcards (APCS) including envelopes [+env.] by Kenneth and Miriam Patchen to Hortense (Mrs. Walter) Baer. Envelopes are included [+ env.], where designated. Kenneth Patchen's letters contain a constant theme of need for money to continue efforts as a poet, where as Miriam, Patchen's wife, conveys details of Patchen's artistic triumphs, his pain & frustration over the back problems, financial strains, and other elements. Majority of the letters are written by Miriam. Material is grouped first by correspondent, then arranged chronologically identifying the first line in each letter.
Box-folder 1:1-4

Kenneth Patchen to Hortense Baer 1957-1958:

Box-folder 1:1

ALS, "I mislaid the loan slips the day the 2nd one came..." [2 pp + env.] Mar 15, 1958

Box-folder 1:2

A Info packet; 2 "Kenneth Patchen reads with the Chamber Jazz Sextet" brochures, and a reprint of a book review for "Hurrah for Anything" by John Holmes, New York Times + [env. postmarked Feb 18, 1958] Feb 2, 1958

Box-folder 1:3

TLS, "Please forgive me for not acknowledging your prompt sending..." Jan 17, 1958

Box-folder 1:4

ALS, "I am to conclude that if anything important comes..." [2 pp + clip+ env.] Jan 2, 1957

Box-folder 1:5-2:15

Miriam Patchen to Hortense Baer 1946-1970:

Box-folder 1:5-11

1960-70:

Box-folder 1:5

ALS, "Just one of those funny little interim things...", n.d.

Box-folder 1:6

ALS, "Shingles are a darned things. Hope they aren't near the eye..." [+ env.] Mar 1, 1972

Box-folder 1:7

Season Greeting card, signed [+ env.] Dec 17, 1970

Box-folder 1:8

ALS, "What a thrill we got today when Mr. Danese, in calling us..." [9 pp + env.] Nov 14, 1969

Box-folder 1:9

Season Greeting card, signed with Patchen's poem I have Lighted the Candles, Mary Dec 1967

Box-folder 1:10

APCS, "Miss you so - your letters were the life we had..." [post-Jul 1963]

Box-folder 1:11

APCS, "Kenneth is entering the hospital Sunday for intensive testing..." Oct 19, 1961

Box-folder 1:12-32

1958:

Box-folder 1:12

Season Greeting card, singed; with Two Poems for Christmas by Kenneth Patchen, [+ signed insert & env.] Dec [1958]

Box-folder 1:13

TLS, "Time has me but the ears. I leave the house at 8:30..." [+env.] Dec [10] 1958

Box-folder 1:14

TLS, "Nothing very extraordinary is a-foot here, but I wanted to send..." [2 pp + env.] Oct 15, 1958

Box-folder 1:15

TLS, "By now everything is only a glorious memory..." Oct 7, 1958

Box-folder 1:16

TLS, "How wonderful that you got away, even though it carried..." Aug 9, 1958

Box-folder 1:17

TLS, "So Kenneth is at home now for a while we believe..." Aug 2, 1958

Box-folder 1:18

TLS, "The patient surely is not to be allowed to go to..." Jun 22, 1958

Box-folder 1:19

TLS, "Just a moment between parents, wrappings..." [+ 2 comics, & env.] Jun 15, 1958

Box-folder 1:20

TLS, "It was only selfishness on our parts to call you..." [pre-Jun 1958]

Box-folder 1:21

TLS, "The letter which should have been in Wyncote by now..." [+ env.] May 27, 1958

Box-folder 1:22

Flyer and brochure announcing "3 New Painted Books... When We Where Here Together, Hurrah For Anything, Poemscapes..." [+ env.] May 26, 1958

Box-folder 1:23

TLS, "How wonderful to be home, even with all the everything feelings..." [2 pp + env.] May 5, 1958

Box-folder 1:24

TLS, "Good heavens, good heavens, what are you people doing..." [+ env.] May 5 [1958]

Box-folder 1:25

TLS, "How wonderful! What a remarkable, good girl you are!..." [+ env.] Apr 23, 1958

Box-folder 1:26

TLS, "The day is sooft [misspelling] and warm like a late July day..." [2 pp + env.] Apr 20, 1958

Box-folder 1:27

TLS, "It was with 'mixed feelings', as they say, that I read..." [2 pp + env.] Apr 14, 1958

Box-folder 1:28

TLS, "The rain doesn't come down in Spain. That I know..." [2 pp + env.] Mar 21, 1958

Box-folder 1:29

TLS, "A lull in the storm here, both figuratively and literally..." [2 pp + env.] Feb 18, 1958

Box-folder 1:30

TLS, "What darlings to send the wire to Kenneth..." [+ env.] Feb 9, 1958

Box-folder 1:31

TLS, "I've been back three days and haven't had a minute to myself..." [3 pp + env.] Jan 30, 1958

Box-folder 1:32

ALS, "Everything is so 'hung-up' here- with my parents on my hands..." [+ env.] Jan 2, 1958

Box-folder 1:33-55

1957:

Box-folder 1:33

TLS, "Your Krey letter came Friday, and I firmly meant to get..." [+env.] Dec 22, 1957

Box-folder 1:34

TLS, "Your letter came while I was at the house, where my folks..." [2 pp + env.] Dec 17, 1957

Box-folder 1:35

TLS, "The turmoil and rush and stuff left me with a tremendous..." [+ env.] Dec 9, 1957

Box-folder 1:36

TLS, "This is the way it is... and so time slips without making..." [2 pp + env.] Dec 3, 1957

Box-folder 1:37

ALS, "Everything has been so swirly that I've been able only to spin..." [2 pp + env.] Nov 5, 1957

Box-folder 1:38

TLS, "As usual so many things happen that I am not al all sure..." [2 pp + env.] Oct 27, 1957

Box-folder 1:39

TLS, "Last night was Gala Opening. It was something not imaginable..." [2 pp + env.] Oct 7, 1957

Box-folder 1:40

ALS, "Again we're been a little self-absorbed..." [4 pp + env.] Oct 1, 1957

Box-folder 1:41

TLS, "Whether we're here, there, or flying, I don't know..." [+env.] Sep 4, 1957

Box-folder 1:42

ALS, "It's a long time since your wonderfully re-assuring call..." [2 pp + env.] Aug 4, 1957

Box-folder 1:43

TLS, "Have been unable to write you details of Kenneth's medical picture..." [2 pp + env.] Jul 18, 1957

Box-folder 1:44

APCS, "It is ulcer; how bad, how extensive we don't yet know!..." Jul 10, 1957

Box-folder 1:45

TLS, "It doesn't seem as if we should have something to say..." [+ env.] Jul 8, 1958

Box-folder 1:46

TLS, "What on earth is the matter with my so-called mind?..." Jun 11, 1957

Box-folder 1:47

TLS, "How on earth some people (meaning you) can maintain..." [2 pp + env.] Jun 6, 1957

Box-folder 1:48

TLS, "They came! What an incredible wealth of beauties!..." [+ env.] May 1, 1957

Box-folder 1:49

TLS, "Every day passes with my promises to myself..." [+ env.] Apr 12, 1957

Box-folder 1:50

TLS, "If you are interested in snails, giant gruesome creatures..." [2 pp + env.] Apr 12, 1957

Box-folder 1:51

TLS, "It seems months ago since you telephoned..." [2 pp + env.] Mar 21, 1957

Box-folder 1:52

TLS, "After such a fine letter from you, the time-lapse..." [+env.] Feb 2, [1957]

Box-folder 1:53

ALS, "This folded sheet has been traveling back and forth..." [2 pp + env.] Jan 13, 1957

Box-folder 1:54

TLS, "Did I really not write you last week? Came across this..." [post-1957]

Box-folder 1:55

TLS, "Are you trying to get into the news-item class..." [1957]

Box-folder 1:56-79

1956:

Box-folder 1:56

ALS, "First the dull, but more important 'stuff'..." [3 pp + env.] Nov 3, 1956

Box-folder 1:57

ALS, "Suez Canal, Far East, Ike/Dick/Adlai etc., not withstanding..." [+env.] Oct 14, 1956

Box-folder 1:58

ALS, "It was such a pleasure hearing you - and such a surprise..." [2 pp + env.] Sep 29, 1956

Box-folder 1:59

ALS, "Just a note in case I alarmed you..." [2 pp + env.] Sep 19, 1956

Box-folder 1:60

ALS, "Well, the suspense is over. You were completely correct..." [2 pp , hospital bill and Blue Cross Claim Department statement, + env.] Sep [17], 1956

Box-folder 1:61

ALS, "Kenneth walks! Garbo may talk, but Kenneth walks..." [5 pp + env.] Aug 28, 1956

Box-folder 1:62

ALS, "Kenneth's cast is off! Yesterday two of the doctor's..." [3 pp + env.] Aug 17, 1956

Box-folder 1:63

ALS, "Kenneth is home- came yesterday evening..." [2 pp + env. + 4x5 black & white photo of Palo Alto residence] Jul 23, 1956

Box-folder 1:64

ALS, "Fits and starts of letters to you since you called..." [2 pp + env.] Jul 17, 1956

Box-folder 1:65

ALS, "Kenneth is getting much better; the penicillin reaction..." [+ env] Jul 11, 1956

Box-folder 1:66

ALS, "How good of you to come to the aid of the holing 'babes'!" [2 pp + env.] Jun 7, 1956

Box-folder 1:67

ALS, "Things are so confused - I never get the things done I should..." [3 pp + env.] Jun 6, 1956

Box-folder 1:68

ALS, "The fateful day has been set. Kenneth enters the hospital..." [+ env.] May 7, 1956

Box-folder 1:69

ALS, 'It's very confusing: Kenneth says he didn't mail a letter to you..." [3 pp + env.] Apr 29, 1956

Box-folder 1:70

ALS, "At last! Today Kenneth spent some time with doctors, test, etc..." [2 pp + env.] Apr 20, 1956

Box-folder 1:71

ALS, "Kenneth has not been checked yet. The doctors apparently..." [2 pp + env.] Apr 2, 1956

Box-folder 1:72

ALS, "It's been a crazy week. And to sit down to write you..." [2 pp + env.] Mar 21, 1956

Box-folder 1:73

ALS, "What a mass of rushing through your call..." [2 pp + env.] Mar 15, 1956

Box-folder 1:74

ALS, "What fun to get the pictures! I like even the dreadful tummy..." [+ env.] Mar 12, 1956

Box-folder 1:75

APCS, "Moved Saturday; all in great confusion, but very pleasant..." Feb 28, 1956

Box-folder 1:76

ALS, "From the 1st our address will be 852 BRYANT ST, Palo Alto..." [2 pp + env.] Feb 20, 1956

Box-folder 1:77

ALS, "There are no words to express our feelings..." [3 pp + env.] Jan 30, 1956

Box-folder 1:78

ALS, "It hasn't been difficulties or negligence, really..." [2 pp + env.] Jan 13, 1956

Box-folder 1:79

Telegrams (2) May 31, 1956 & [Mar 21, 1956]

Box-folder 2:1-8

1950-55:

Box-folder 2:1

ALS, "Your letter is so truly incredible, so hard to absorb into a belief..." [2 pp + env.] Nov 21, 1955

Box-folder 2:2

ALS, "Your order for a portfolio came some time ago and was filled..." [3 pp + env.] Nov 21, 1955

Box-folder 2:3

ALS, "You see from this what has happened!..." [+ env.] Dec 5, 1951

Box-folder 2:4

ALS, "Kenneth is at home and has been back for three weeks..." [3 pp + env.] Apr 27, 1951

Box-folder 2:5

ALS, "How grateful I am to you for your letter!..." [2 pp + env.] Nov 8, 1951

Box-folder 2:6

ALS, "If only you can come here! We'd be so very happy..." [+ env.] Aug 2, 1951

Box-folder 2:7

ALS, "Your lovely letters, generosity and good wishes..." [2 pp + env.] Mar 19, 1951

Box-folder 2:8

ALS, "The matter weighs so heavily on our minds that..." [+env.] May 2, 1950

Box-folder 2:9-15

1946-49:

Box-folder 2:9

Season Greeting card, "How you knew that the 'Appassionata'... [+ env.] Dec 28 1949

Box-folder 2:10

ALS, "What a nice letter! It made us feel so good..." [+ env.] Nov 26, 1949

Box-folder 2:11

ALS, "Your telegram just came. It is impossible to convey..." [+ env.] Oct 14, 1949

Box-folder 2:12

ALS, "This letter is so hard for me to write..." [includes 2 notes from H. Baer, 2 pp letter + env.] Oct 10, 1949

Box-folder 2:13

APCS, 'At last things are straightened out on Sleepers Awake, and..." Dec 14, 1946

Box-folder 2:14

ALS, "Thank you in deed for your order of a limited edition of Sleepers Awake..."[2 pp + env.] Jul 5, 1946

Box-folder 2:15

Empty envelopes (3), and a signed postcard "Just a spring-time 'Hello'"

box 2

Printed Material 1962-1972

Physical Description: 3 folders

Scope and Content Note

This series contains Kenneth Patchen's picture-poem postcards printed in black ink on various color papers by East Wind Printers, San Francisco; an exhibit catalog with a biographical sketch by Miriam, short chronology and a note by Richard Bowman; and a collection of obituaries on Kenneth Patchen.
Box-folder 2:16

Postcards: Drawind-Poem Series R and RS, complete sets of 7 cards each 1962

Box-folder 2:17

Exhibition catalog Kenneth Patchen: Painter of Poems, The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. 1969

Box-folder 2:18

Newspaper clippings; obituaries 1972