Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Finding Aid for the Collection of Materials By and About George Sterling, ca. 1901-1935
276  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
 
 
Table of contents What's This?

Container List

 

Autographed Letters Signed to Mr. Carey Mcwilliams

 

1. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. May 7, 1925.

Physical Description: 3pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

A letter concerning Ambrose Bierce, Sterling's friend and instructor.
 

2. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. May 14, 1925.

Physical Description: 3pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Concerning Bierce's books & an article that McWilliams wrote for the Argonaut.
 

3. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. July 27, 1925.

Physical Description: 3pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Interesting letter of advice and offer of help to McWilliams in writing his life of Bierce.
 

4. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. August 22, 1925.

Physical Description: 2pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Comments on the displeasure his `memoir' on Bierce in the September `Mercury' may create.
 

5. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. September 20, 1925.

Physical Description: 2pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Pardons himself for not seeing McWilliams: I was in bed with a Katzimjammer that defied description.
 

6. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. October 11, 1925.

Physical Description: 4pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

A literary letter concerning Robinson Jeffers & Bierce.
 

7. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. October 26, 1925.

Physical Description: 2pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

More concerning Jeffers & Bierce.
 

8. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. November 17, 1925.

Physical Description: 3pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Of Bierce's domestic relations and appearance.
 

9. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. n.d.

Physical Description: Post card.
 

10. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. January 22, 1926.

Physical Description: 3pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Signs contract for the publication of Lilith and finds Jeffers' Roan Stallion tremendous stuff.
 

11. Bohemian Club, San Franciso. January 29, 1926.

Physical Description: 4pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Fine letter and of great interest in relation to Sterling's suicide.
 

12. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. February 14, 1926.

Physical Description: 3pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Of a visit with Sinclair Lewis.
 

13. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. March 2, 1926.

Physical Description: 6pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Fine long letter of a McWilliams' Manuscript, Sinclair Lewis and Emma Francis Dawson.
 

14. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. March 30, 1926.

Physical Description: 3pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Literary letter.
 

15. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. April 12, 1926.

Physical Description: 3pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Of the publication of his works.
 

16. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. May 4, 1926.

Physical Description: 3pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

On visiting Robinson Jeffers.
 

17. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. May 20, 1926.

Physical Description: 4pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Of Lillith and a poem returned by Mencken.
 

18. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. June 15, 1926.

Physical Description: 4pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

More on Lilith.
 

19. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. June 22, 1926.

Physical Description: 3pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

The Grabhorns will publish a limited edition of one of his poems.
 

20. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. July 22, 1926.

Physical Description: 4pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

I enclose my bibliography-a nice time you'll have getting that list!. Typewritten Bibliography as of January 1, 1925 giving the size of the editions enclosed.
 

21. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. August 3, 1926.

Physical Description: 3pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Of a week at Bohemian Grove where he was director of the annual play.
 

22. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. August 25, 1926.

Physical Description: 3pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Of O'Neill and Sinclair Lewis.
 

23. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. n.d.

Physical Description: Small note card, both sides.

Scope and Content Note

Of the sale of Jack London's letters.
 

24. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. September 11, 1926.

Physical Description: 3pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

A fine friendly letter of a contemplated meeting of Mencken & McWilliams in San Francisco.
 

25. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. October 21, 1926.

Physical Description: 3pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Anticipation & plans for Mencken's visit: I'll have at least seven full quarts of prescription sherry (imported) by the time he's here...
 

26. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. October 29, 1926.

Physical Description: 2pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Of Mencken's approaching visit.
 

27. Bohemian Club, San Francisco. November 8, 1926.

Physical Description: 4pp. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

A fine lively letter of Mencken & Bierce written only ten days before Sterling's death by suicide.
 

Letter to Ambrose Bierce:

 

Letter, signed, San Francisco. March 4, 1901.

Physical Description: 4pp.

Note

(Removed from PS659 S75s Copy 2.)
 

Letter(s) to Various Persons:

 

Letter to Joseph E. O'Carroll, dated July 7, 1924.

 

Sonnets and Poems in Typescript Signed and with Author's Corrections

Physical Description: (18 items)
 

1. The Sea-Fog.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

2. The Wine Of Illusion.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

3. Sanctuary.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

4. The Tracker.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

5. Sierran Dawn.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

6. Amber.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

7. The Unconditioned.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.

Scope and Content Note

With a penciled notation: Never published.
 

8. The Night Of Gods.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

9. Ocean Sunsets. i-iii.

Physical Description: 3pp. Quarto (3 items).
 

10. The Black Vulture.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

11. The Dust Dethroned.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

12. The Skull of Shakespeare.

Physical Description: 2pp. Quarto.
 

13. A Deserted Farm.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.

Scope and Content Note

Pencilled notation: Printed in Overland Monthly, only.
 

14. The Setting of Antares.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

15. Omnia Exeunt In Mysterium.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

16. Strange Waters.

Physical Description: 12pp. Quarto.

Scope and Content Note

This group of sonnets and poems, all signed in full by Sterling and with his corrections in ink, were sent by Sterling, shortly before his death, to J.H. Newman of Larned, Kansas, who intended to publish them in pamphlet form. Mr. Newman edited a poetry magazine, The Harp at Larned, Kansas.
This collection of poems which Sterling regarded as representing his finest poetic achievement in the sonnet form was given by Newman to Mr. McWilliams who desired to have them published in Los Angeles in a limited edition out of admiration for Sterling's poetry and in deference to our friendship. The project never materialised as publication rights were not granted.
 

Letters and Documents about George Sterling

Physical Description: (18 items)
 

Letters

Physical Description: (15 items)
 

A. A Group of Letters

Scope and Content Note

re Mr. Carey McWilliams desire to publish the sixteen poems and sonnets included in this collection.
Carbon copies of Mr. McWilliams letters included.
 

1. J.H. Newman. Denver. October 27, 1927.

Physical Description: Typescript letter signed.

Scope and Content Note

Advises McWilliams of the poems and requests where he should return them.
 

2. J.J. Newbegin. San Francisco. November 3, 1927.

Physical Description: Typescript letter signed.

Scope and Content Note

Newbegin, San Francisco bookseller, advises McWilliams of Sterling's executor.
 

3. Cushing and Cushing. November 4, 1927.

Physical Description: Typescript letter signed.

Scope and Content Note

The attorneys for the administratrix of Sterling's estate send McWilliams letter to Sterling's sister.
 

4. Cushing and Cushing. November 15, 1927.

Physical Description: Typescript letter signed.

Scope and Content Note

Sister agreeable to having poems published.
 

5. I.H. Newman. Denver, Colorado. November 21, 1927.

Physical Description: Typescript letter signed.

Scope and Content Note

Sends McWilliams the poems and tells of his publishing the little magazine The Harp, at Larned Kansas.
 

6. J.J. Newbegin. San Francisco. December 13, 1927.

Physical Description: Typescript letter signed.

Scope and Content Note

Contains his 2pp. typed Bibliography of the Printed works of George Sterling.
 

7. Cushing and Cushing. San Francisco. December 30, 1927.

Physical Description: 2pp. Typescript letter signed.
 

8. Cushing and Cushing. San Francisco. January 18, 1928.

Physical Description: Typescript letter signed.

Scope and Content Note

Advise they are unable to grant publication rights.
 

B. Madeline Dimond. November 6 1929(?).

Physical Description: Autographed letter signed.

Scope and Content Note

Invitation by Sterling's sister to call for information concerning her brother.
 

C. E.F. Harrigan. Catonsville, Maryland. September 25, 1933.

Physical Description: Typescript letter signed.

Scope and Content Note

A letter from a teacher of St. Charles' College where Sterling completed his high school course in 1889.
 

Documents

Physical Description: (3 items)
 

1. County Clerk. Oakland, California. September 11, 1933.

Scope and Content Note

Statement that there is no record of a complaint for divorce re Carrie Rand Sterling vs. George Sterling.
 

2. County Clerk. Monterey County. September 21, 1933.

Scope and Content Note

Carrie R. Sterling vs. George Sterling. Action filed December 15, 1913. Final divorce February 5, 1915.
 

3. Department of Health, San Francisco. June 26, 1935.

Scope and Content Note

Death certificate.
 

Contributions to the Overland Monthly and Outwest Magazine, San Francisco

Physical Description: (14 items)
 

Rhymes and Reactions.

Scope and Content Note

A literary and poetry column by Sterling, two of which are signed with his pseudonym, Tancred.
 

1. December 1925.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

2. January 1926.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

3. February 1926.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

4. March 1926.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

5. May 1926.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

6. June 1926.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

7. July 1926.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.

Scope and Content Note

On the verso is a review of Sterling's poem-play, Lilith.
 

8. August 1926.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.

Scope and Content Note

With subtitle: To Chemulpo in a Junk; being the first publication of Jack London's travel letters writton to his wife, Charmian, who sent copies of the letters to Sterling who in turn published them in his column.
 

9. September 1926.

Physical Description: 2pp. Quarto.

Scope and Content Note

Subtitle: The Dryad.
 

10. October 1926.

Physical Description: 2pp. Quarto.
 

11. November 1926.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

12. December 1926.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

13. January 1927.

Physical Description: 1p. Quarto.
 

14. February 1927.

Physical Description: 2pp. Quarto.

Scope and Content Note

Includes his poem: A Song of Earth, signed with his pseudonym.
 

Clippings, Magazine Articles & Tributes to Sterling & C.

Physical Description: (24 items)
 

A. Newspaper Clippings.

Scope and Content Note

10 (mostly contemporary) accounts of Sterling's death on November 17, 1927.
 

B. Magazines.

 

1. Lee, B. Virginia. The Last Phone Call of George Sterling.

Physical Description: pp.93-95.

Scope and Content Note

Probably from the Overland Monthly.
 

2. Mayfield, John S. George Sterling's Favorite Short Poem. In Overland Monthly. November 1928.

Physical Description: p.372.
 

3. Overland Monthly. vol.85 no. 3,11-12. November-December 1927.

Scope and Content Note

3 issues devoted to the memory of Sterling with many contributions by friends and noted literary people.
 

4. San Francisco Review. vol.2. November /December 1926.

Physical Description: pp.97-102.

Scope and Content Note

Contains accounts of George Sterling by Ethel Turner, George Douglas, Gobind Behari Lal and the poem George Sterling by Robinson Jeffers.
 

5. San Francisco Water; published by the Spring Valley Water Company, San Francisco (vol.7 no.3). July 1928.

Scope and Content Note

A memorial issue to George Sterling. It was S.P. Eastman, president of the Spring Valley Water Company, who had placed a beautiful bench and plaque high on Russian Hill in memory of Sterling.
 

6. Sinclair, Upton. My friend George Sterling. from The Bookman. n.d.

Physical Description: 3pp.
 

7. Stevenson, Lionel. George Sterling's Place in Modern Poetry. In University of California Chronicle. October 1929.

Physical Description: pp.404-421.
 

8. 3 shorter clippings.

 

Miscellany

Physical Description: (7 items)
 

1. The Friends of the Saloon. Bulletin no.1. January 1926.

Physical Description: 1p. Octavo.

Scope and Content Note

Signed in ink: Merry Christmas: G.S.. At bottom of page in Sterling's hand: (H.L. Mencken).
 

2. Remembrance George Sterling, 1869-1926. December 1, 1940.

Physical Description: 4pp. Duodecimo.

Scope and Content Note

With a reproduction of the death mask of Sterling by Haig Patigian. One of 200 copies printed.
 

3. George Sterling, 1869-1926. Anniversary. December One. [200 copies printed for Rudelph Blaettler November 1948. Set in Centaur and Arrighi by Greenwood Press, San Francisco].