Collection of Letters and Ephemeral Material of Count Geoffrey Potocki de Montalk, 1943-1982

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Summary

Abstract:: Geoffrey, Count Potocki de Montalk is an author and publisher of the Mélissa Press in Draguignan, Var., France. The collection consists of letters, ephemeral material, and material written and/or published by Count Potocki de Montalk at the Mélissa Press.
Extent:: 1 box (0.5 linear ft.)

Background

Scope and content:: Collection consists of letters, ephemeral material, and material written and/or published by Count Potocki de Montalk at the Mélissa Press in Draguignan, Var., France.
Biographical / historical:: Geoffrey, Count Potocki de Montalk is an author and publisher of the Mélissa Press in Draguignan, Var., France.
Acquisition information:: I.D. Edrich, purchase, 1988.
Physical location:: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Rules or conventions:: Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Related resources

Related material:

Collection 2000, Box 23 Potocki de Montalk, Geoffrey, Count Graphic Arts Ephemera Collection

Collection 2000, Box 23 Potocki de Montalk, Geoffrey, Count Letters to Ivan Bright. Surrey, 1943-1944. 5 items. Typescript(signed).

Letter of 13 August 1943 mentions Lawrence Durrell.

Purchase, 1985.

Separated material:

Wild Oats, 1927. A sheaf of poems. New Zealand. Edition limited to 200 numbered copies, this one being signed by the author. Association copy being Kenneth Hopkins's copy with his signature on fep and his holograph 4 line doggerel on Potocki written in pencil on fep. Original cloth gilt.
Against Creswell, 1930. Maidment Press. A Lampoon. Edition limited to 40 copies on hmp signed by the Author. K. Hopkins copy with his signature on upper wrap.
Against Creswell, 1930. Maidment Press. 1500 copies printed. Inscribed presentation copy from Potocki to K. Hopkins whose signature appears on the upper wrap.
Surprising Songs, 1930. Inscribed Presentation copy from the Author to Hopkins of his 2nd book of poems composed in New Zealand, France and England. Dark blue cloth.
Blue Moon Poem for Christmas, 1931. One of 100 signed copies. Kenneth Hopkins's signature on upper wrap. A Label printed “Pems for Christmas by The Count Geoffrey Potocki de Montalk” covers the title “The Harem of the Sun”.
The Harem of the Sun, 1931. Original wraps. Blue Moon Poem for Christmas 1931. 100 copies - this unsigned and unnumbered K. Hopkins's initials on upper wrap.
Snobbery with Violence, 1932. Original wraps. A Poet in Gaol. Here & Now Pamphlet no.10. Kenneth Hopkins's copy with his signature below a tipped in newspaper cutting reporting for the author's imprisonment for a black-out offence after refusing to answer summonses.
Poem for the Feast of Saturn, 1936. Christmas. Woodcut by Hann. Inscribed by Author to Charles Lahr. Light foxing owvg.
Whited Sepulchres, 1936. Right Review. Original wraps grey. Edition limited to 500 copies. “Being an account of my trial and imprisonment for a parody of Verlaine and some other Verses.” Inscribed Presentation copy “For Kenneth Hopkins” from the author. This copy contains the recipient's numerous annotations and comments and a full page “Apologia” explaining his position, dated 1938. Hopkins has also transcribed “the cause of trouble” and added further comments in 1980.
The Unconstitutional Crisis, (1937). The Right Review. Uncommon. Long ariticle on the crisis. “Let there be a King's party formed, by Churchill. Let him marry Mrs. Simpson. Let her be crowned Queen...” Folio sheet divided into 4 with portrait of Mrs. Simpson. Presentation copy inscribed by Potocki for Kenneth Hopkins.
Abdication of the Sun, 1938. Right Review. Original wraps. Together with the 1st part of Forefathers by Adam Mickiewicz translated from the Polish.
Social Climbers in Bloomsbury, 1939. Right review. A satire done from the Life. Kenneth Hopkins's signature on fep with a comment by him in the text.
Three Leaflets, 1942. One in Polish, one in Polish and English and one in English, dealing with his aristocratic pretensions, etc. All initialled by Kenneth Hopkins.
Katyn Massacre, 1943. Original wraps. 4pp. pamphlet in which Potocki claims that the Russians, not the Germans, were responsible for the katyn Massacre together with the first proof of his big Second Katyn manifesto inscribed for Kenneth, 23/5/83. (2pp).
Pedigree of His Majesty Wladyslav the Fifth, 1943-1946. 6 items. With photocopy from the New Zealand Herald concerning his claim to be King of Poland---with a ticket card entitled, “Where will you spend Eternity?” and 3 cuttings dealing with his black-out prosecution; Potocki placing a prophecy on the Statue of Charles II.
Two Cards for Noel, 1943, 1944. With original poems in Polish.
Forefathers by Adam Mickiewicz, 1944. Translated by “H.M. King of Poland” with presentation inscription for Kenneth Hopkins. One of 60 copies only of Part II issued.
Forefathers by Adam Mickiewicz, 1945. Part III. Nos 1-4. Right Review. Original wraps. Translated by Potocki. Kenneth Hopkins's signature on fep. (4 vols.).
To Men of Good Will, 1945. Folded Christmas Card for 1945, in which the X of Xmas is printed as a swastika, containing a 6 verse poem which includes the request “....to save his live, our William Joyce.”
Music Within Me by Charles Maurras, 1946. The right Review. Introduction, translation and foreword by Potocki.
The Nuneberg Trials, 1946. 4pp. leaflet. Vituperative ending in “Hitler und Goering Sieg heil”. Kenneth Hopkins's name on front page.
Tu Quoque, 1958. Edition limited to 20 numbered copies. Single sheet poem with Kenneth Hopkin's signature.
Carol for the Saturnalia of 1959, 1959. Melissa Press. Original wraps. 200 copies printed, this being Kenneth Hopkins's copy with a presentation inscription from the Author.
Mel Meum, 1959. Melissa Press. Original wraps. Inscribed Presentation Copy from the Author to Kenneth Hopkins, “In memory of old times.”
The Fifth Columnist, 1960. Melissa Press. A Short Story by “Jim Goodbeboodle”, Ex-Convict. Kenneth Hopkins's name on fep. Cloth binding.
YTT YZZ CZYLI - Jak Wiersz powstaje, 1960. Melissa Press. Edition limited to 200 copies. A surrealist poem, Kenneth Hopkins's name on fep. “The first surrealist poem issued by this anti-surrealist press”. Loosely inserted flyer containing Potocki's pseudonymous review by “Wankoft in umsk.”
A Tourist's Rome by R. Aldington, (1961). Original wraps with K. Hopkin's name on fep. Melissa Press. Near fine with a few holograph corrections of text by Potocki.
Balls. Another Book for Supression. Original wraps with Kenneth Hopkins's signature on fep. 2nd edition with a short printed comment by Potocki, “Foreward! Richard has forgotten his BALLS.”
Lulu's Lullaby, 1964. Melissa Press. Original wraps. Edition limited to 100 copies. Another Surrealist Poem.
The Whirling River, 1964. Melissa Press. Inscribed Presentation Copy from the Author to Kenneth Hopkins “in memory of old times.”
The Whirling River, 1964. Melissa Press. Near fine.
Two Blacks Don't Make A White, 1964. Melissa Press. Original wraps. Remarks about Apartheid. K. Hopkins's name on fep.
One More Folly, (1964). Melissa Press. Original wraps. Observations on the Hinton St. Mary Mosaic.
Dear Garment, 1965. Melissa Press. Six Poems by Charles Maurras and one by Charles D'Orleans. translated by Potocki of Montalk. 150 copies printed. Near fine.
Thomas Hardy from Behind and Other Memories, 1965. Melissa Press. Original wraps. Introduction by P De Malion. Presentation copy inscribed to K. Hopkins from P. De Malion. K. Hopkins's copy with his name on fep.
Her Wonderful Shoulders, 1967. Melissa Press. Original wraps. Translation of R.M. Rilke's sonnet, “Dame Vor Dem Spiegel.”
No English Horse by Sandor Petofi (psuedonym), 1967. Poems. Melissa Press. Illustrated by Rigby Graham. Original wraps. Inscribed presentation copy for Kenneth Hopkins.
Blue Blood in the Butter Republic, 1968. Melissa Press. Original wraps. Signed by the Author. K. Hopkins's name on fep.
Cicadas, 1968. New Broom Press. Poems. Original wraps. Edition limited to 80 numbered copies. Lino-cuts by Bill Powell.
Dogs' Eggs, 1968. Melissa Press. A Study in Powysology. Part 1. Signed by the Author on verso of tp. A vitrioloic and probably libellous attack on the Powys family with details of difficulties experienced in hand printing the book. 7pp. ads. of Author's work at rear. Origianl cl backed bds.
Forefathers by Adam Mickiewicz, 1968. Glassine dw. Presentation inscription “For Kenneth from his friend since 1936 the translator Potocki..” 7 May 1983. With 4pp. tipped in pamphlet “Potocki versus Polish Cultural Foundation Ltd.” The book contains the author's very numerous corrections and changes of text.
Guinness is Good for You, 1968. Melissa Press. A Christmas Jingle by Prince Bobowski (psuedonym). Presentation copy to K. Hopkins with his signature on fep. Numbered and inscribed by the Author.
Pastorale, 1968. Offcut Press. Illustrated by Tony O'Dwyer. Original wraps. Editionlimited to 120 numbered copies. Poems. Kenneth Hopkins's copy with his name on fep. Hand-set. Printed by Toni Savage.
Hymn to Wilson, (1968). Melissa Press. 8pp. Catalogue. The front page contains the satirical title poem with a quotation, “Lawrence Durrell. M I5 most trusted Agent” on the incident occasioning the poem.
Lammas Day, 1969. New Broom Press. Original wraps. Edition limited to 100 numbered copies. An attractive production illustrated in colour by Rob Armstrong. Kenneth Hopkins's signature on fep.
Memorandum, 1969. Melissa Press. Hungarian national Committee for Territorial Reparatons.
Roger and Angelica, 1969. Melissa Press. Edition limited to 98 numbered copies, hand-set and type distributed. Near fine.
Were Bach's Ancestors Polish?1969. Melissa Press. No. 35 signed by the Author with holograph single word addition to text.
Miraculum Secundum Naturam, 1970. Melissa Press. Edition limited to 60 numbered copies.
Myself as a Printer, 1970. Summer. Illustrated by Rigby Graham. Edition limited to 240 copies. 8 sheet folded paper in pictorial folder. Brewhouse Broadsheet no.8.
Potocki versus Polish Cultural Foundation, 1970. Melissa Press. 150 numbered copies printed (100 for sale) and the type distributed.
Airmail Letter, 1971. With printed Sonnet for The Saturnalia 1971. Potocki has written a message to K. Hopkins referring to his archives and the omission of a named poet in Hopkins's book on English Poetry.
Poem for the Saturnalia to the Emperor Hirohito, 1971. Original wraps. Printed for Madam Kinu Ohki. Inscribed presentation copy from the Author to Kenneth Hopkins. Name on fep.
Dogs' Eggs. A Study in Powysology, 1972-1975. Shack Press. Edition limited to 150 copies. A Study in Powysology. 4 canvas backed volumes.
No Cats in the Bible, 1975. France. Single sheet poem signed and inscribed by Potocki for K. Hopkins. Potocki has also written, “This was in fact printed at 101 Mercers Road...”
Sete, 1972. Melissa Press. Edition limited to 120 numbered copies. Seven Poems. Printed by hand and foot. Five drawings by Marjorie Jackson-Pownall. K. Hopkins's name on fep.
The Jinx, 1972. Melissa Press. Original wraps. 9pp. pamphlet.
Our Verdict, 1973. The Right Review. Edition limited to 100 numbered copies. K. Hopkins's signature on fep.
The Decimal Superstition, (1973). Melissa Press. 2pp. in a 16pp. leaflet. K. Hopkins's name on front cover.
The Right Review. no.18-19, 1973, 1979. Original wraps. (C. Mauros, C. Owen - The Sale of Manhattan Island; Potocki, K. Hopkins, M. Maynard...) Both copies are inscribed from Potocki for K. Hopkins. Together with a leaflet announcing the forthcoming no 18 and asking Hopkins if he has any poems for the next issue. 3 items.
Check-list of Publications, 1974. Melissa Press. By or concerning Count Potocki of Montalk. Part 1 and a Note concerning His Most Christian Majesty. Kenneth Hopkins's copy with his name, address and date on fep. 20pp. Original card covers with canvas spine.
White Furtive Forms, 1975. 16 line poem. Phoenix broadsheet No. 45. Wood engraving by D. Campbell.
Two Leaflets of Books Printed on The Melissa Press, 1976. Poem on environmental problems on front page of an 8pp. pamphlet. A Drab of Reading for Wee Charlie MacBishop. a parody of Advertising Potocki's work. 3pp.
Let the Rhodesians Not., 1977. Original wraps.
Mistral Frederi, 1977. Original wraps. Translation.
Notes by Richard Bielicki and Count Potocki of Montalk, 1977. Melissa Press. For Chopin and Mickiewicz Recital at Leighton House 17 June 1977. 26 copies issued in card cover. Green wraps overprinted in red.
Notes for Chopin Concert (1x 1977) by Richard Bielicki, 1977. Melissa Press. And Chapter One of Work in Progress-Szopen by Count Potocki of Montalk. 26 copies issued in card covers. Yellow wrap over-printed in red. Text in green.
Whereas With You, 1977. Melissa Press. Poems. Original wraps. Kenneth Hopkins's name on fep.
He Hungarians, 1978. Melissa Press. Original wraps.
While Howls and Grunts, 1979. Original wraps. Edition limited to 150 numbered copies. Kenneth Hopkins's name on fep.
While Howls and Grunts, 1979. New Zealand. Original wraps. Edition limited to 150 numbered copies. A single small holograph change of text by the Author.
Dziecinstwo Moje: Tomik 11: Tomik 111, 1980-1982. Original wraps. 3 volumes. Photo/illustration.
My Gaze, 1983. Illustrated by Rigby Graham. 4 line poem on single sheet. Phoenix broadsheet printed by Toni Savage.
Ayatollahs and Gurus, n.d. Melissa Press. Kenneth Hopkins's copy with his name on the front cover.
A Letter from Richard Aldington, n.d. Melissa Press. With a summary bibliography of Potocki's published works.
A New Dorset Worthy, n.d. 8pp. pamphlet.
Clara Petacci, n.d. 24 line poem. 1p.
Columbus Discovers Ireland!, n.d. 2pp. in an 3pp. pamphlet.
Letter to Har Vey, n.d. 2pp. in an 3pp. pamphlet.
Dogs' Eggs. A Study in Powysology, n.d. 4 vols. Cloth backed boards. Leaflet advertising Part 2 laid in.
One More Folly, n.d. Melissa Press. 4pp. pamphlet advertising the Author's works.
Some Future Butler, n.d. 2pp. in an 8pp. pamphlet.
The King of Poland's Plan for Rhodesia, n.d. Melissa Press. 1 1/2pp. in an 8pp. pamphlet.
To The Would-Be Unifiers of the Churches, n.d. 14 line poem. 1p.
Portrait of His Majest in Straitened Circumstances by Maurice Richardson, n.d. 6pp. Extracted from Lilliput Magazine.
Ungallant Gallantry, n.d. 2 1/2pp. in an 8pp. pamphlet.
FP, A Journal of Ideas, 1979. Failure Press. Illus. Probably entire contents by Potocki under a variety of pseudonyms. 34pp.
Quand Vous Seres Bien Vielle, 1982. “Easter Egg for Frederica.” 20 line poem from Villa Vigoni. Tranlating Villon's poem. Typed, unsigned.
A Lesson in Magic, n.d. A lesson identifying British misfortunes during and after the war with his own “mistreatment”. Kenneth Hopkins's name on cover.
Ahasuerus, n.d. 4 line poem describing Kissinger as “the Wandering Jew.” One of “50 copies on card from toilet packets.” Presentation copy for Kenneth Hopkins.
Here Lies John Penis, n.d. Privately printed. Original wraps. Paris-In reality North London. The 5 “obscene” poems for which Potocki was imprisoned. Kenneth Hopkins's signature on upper wrap. The rare original edition.
Parsons Pretend, n.d. Single sheet poem. Presentation copy inscribed by the Author “for the Very Reverend Kenneth Hopkins, Admiral Chaplain of the Texas Navy.”
That Impossible Fellow, n.d. 2pp. of a 12pp. catalogue. Dealing with the author's difficulties in finding a suitable publisher, etc.
The Monarchist League of Great Britain, n.d. Manifesto printed on one side only. Inscribed by Kenneth Hopkins - “I do not approve! I suspect Potocki is mixed up in this...” (Possibly relating to his abdication publications.)
The Polish Daily Prefers Lies, n.d. 2pp. of a 12pp. catalogue. Correcting an account of the expulsion of the jews in England by Edward 1st.
TLS to John Bunting, n.d. A long interesting gossipy TLS discussing Right Review, his relationship with Charles Lahr and family, the Communist Party, N. Moore and The Powyses and his reasons for reprinting Dogs' Eggs Part 1 - his attack on the Powyses.
The Private Library. vol.8, no.1, Spring 1967. Original wrappers. Quarterly Journal of the P.L.A. Ed R. Cave and G. Wakeman. The Book World: Geoffrey Potocki and His Press. Kenneth Hopkins's name on front cover. 15pp. illustrated article by Rigby Graham which contains a checklist compiled by him from 1923-1966 with holograph annotations.
The Private Library. vol.1, no.3, Autumn 1968. Original wraps. 2nd series. Louis Jou by Potocki (6pp. illustrated). Inscribed presentation copy from Potocki to K. Hopkins.
The Private Library. vol.1, no.3, Autumn 1968. Louis Jou by Potocki (6pp. illustrated). Potocki has marked one paragraph of his article and written “this part is not by me.”
The Private Library. vol.7, no.1. 2nd Series, Spring 1984. Original wraps. Count Potocki of Montalk's Library by J. MacAlister. Kenneth Hopkins's copy with his signature on fep. 10pp. with background material to his imprisonment and activity during the Edward Abdication crisis.
Potocki: A Dorset Worthy? by Theodora Gay Potocka, 1983. USA. Edition limited to 1000 numbered copies signed by the Author. Inscribed presentation copy for K. Hopkins's. This account by Potocki's daughter opens, “When I and my Father first met in person... I was, at a guess, twenty-seven.” (T.F. Powys was her adoptive father.)

Indexed terms

Subjects:: Publishers and publishing--France.
Authors--20th century.
Manuscripts for publication.

Access and use

Location of this collection:: UCLA, Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library

A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library

Box 951575

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US