INVENTORY OF THE LETTRISM PAPERS, 1946-1965
Finding aid prepared by Lynda Bunting.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Lettrism papers
Date (inclusive): 1946-1965
Number: 980036
Creator/Collector:
Queneau, Raymond, 1903-1976
Physical Description:
28.0 items
Repository:
The Getty Research Institute
Special Collections
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, California, 90049-1688
(310) 440-7390
Abstract: A collection of letters and ephemera belonging to editor Raymond Queneau, one of the founders of "Ouilipo." The materials
concern the avant-garde movement Lettrism, and comprise correspondence, manuscripts, typescripts, and ephemera.
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Language: Collection material is in
French
Biographical/Historical Note
Raymond Queneau (1903-1973) worked with the surrealists as a young man before becoming known as one of the founders of "Oulipo"
(Ouvroir de littérature potentielle, or the Workshop of Potential Literature). Two of his most famous works are
Les exercices de style and
Zazie dans le métro, which Louis Malle filmed in 1960. As an editor at Gallimard, Queneau was extremely influential in the publication and support
of avant-garde movements and their proponents. Queneau began publishing Isidore Isou in the late 1940s and was supportive
of him and his efforts to establish Lettrism.
Administrative Information
Access
Open for use by qualified researchers.
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Lettrism papers, 1946-1965, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles, Accession no. 980036.
Acquisition Information
Collection was acquired in 1998.
Processing History
Lynda Bunting processed the collection in October 1998
Scope and Content of Collection
Letters and ephemera sent to editor Raymond Queneau concerning the avant-garde movement Lettrism, founded by Isidore Isou.
A letter, a clipping and the tract "Defense d'Isidore Isou" illustrate Isou's problems with obscenity charges brought against
him in 1962. Three letters to Queneau and a copy of a 7 p. letter from Isou to Gaston Gallimard, dated 1962 and 1964, plead
for continued support for the movement. Other materials by Isou are a handwritten card (1946), a handwritten cover design
for a proposed book "Oeuvres complètes de Isidore Isou" (n.d.), a typescript titled "Domaine artistique integral" (n.d.),
and the tract "Vive la retrospective surrealiste!" (1964), which denounces André Breton.
The collection also includes three handwritten letters from Gabriel Pomerand concerning books Queneau sent him during his
imprisonment (1949) and his hospitalization (1954), three typed letters from Jacques Spacagna regarding the issue of Bizarre
that he and Maurice Lemaître are preparing, and two letters from Lemaître (1962, 1965). Ephemera consist of two announcements
"Première manifestation lettriste" (n.d.) and "Le lettrisme" (n.d.), an invitation to a Lemaître event with ink drawings and
stapled film strips (n.d.), the program "La poesie et la musique lettristes et aphonistes" (n.d.), and a 4 p. advertisement,
with text by Noël Arnaud, for three recordings (1964).
Arrangement note
Arranged in one series, in rough chronological order.
Indexing Terms
Subjects - Names
Queneau, Raymond, 1903-1976
Subjects - Topics
Lettrism
Genres and Forms of Material
Drawings (visual works)
Ephemera
Contributors
Arnaud, Noël
Gallimard, Gaston, 1881-1975
Isou, Isidore
Lemaître, Maurice, 1926-
Pomerand, Gabriel, 1926-1972
Spacagna, Jacques
Box 1, Folder 1
"Première manifestation Lettriste"
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
announcement.
Box 1, Folder 1
Handwritten card
[1946]
Scope and Content Note
from Isou to Queneau which invites Queneau to assist in the conference "Interdiction de Peter dans la salle," even though
he is an ass.
Box 1, Folder 1
"Le Lettrisme"
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
announcement.
Box 1, Folder 1
Cover design
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
handwritten for the proposed book "Oeuvres complètes de Isidore Isou" (published?)
Box 1, Folder 1
Letter
1947
Scope and Content Note
typed from R. Veillé to Queneau forwarding two handwritten letters from listeners who heard Lettrisme programs on the radio.
Box 1, Folder 2
Letters
Avril 1949, 12 Avril 1949, March 1954
Scope and Content Note
3 handwritten letters from Gabriel Pomerand to Queneau sending thanks for a package of books he received while imprisoned
in Luasanne (1949) and requesting books be sent to him while he recuperates in the hospital (1954).
Box 1, Folder 3
Clipping
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
about the judgement against Isou and also lists those who support him.
Box 1, Folder 3
Letter
23 Oct 62
Scope and Content Note
handwritten from Isou to Queneau requesting Queneau to read the enclosed letter to members of l'Acadèmie Goncourt.
Box 1, Folder 3
Letter
[1962]
Scope and Content Note
4 p. typed from Isou to Queneau seeking support for the first Lettriste festival.
Box 1, Folder 3
Letter
26 Oct 1962
Scope and Content Note
typed from Isou to Queneau about the judgement against him and requesting Queneau to appeal to the public for support.
Box 1, Folder 3
"Defense d'Isidore Isou"
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
tract with handwritten note from Isou to Queneau written in the top and bottom margins.
Box 1, Folder 4
"Domaine artistique integral"
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
typescript.
Box 1, Folder 4
Letter
25 mai 1964
Scope and Content Note
typed from Isou to Queneau asking Queneau to participate in a cultural committee.
Box 1, Folder 4
"Vive la retrospective surrealiste!"
[1964]
Scope and Content Note
tract which denounces André Breton.
Box 1, Folder 4
"La poesie et la musique Lettristes et Aphonistes"
n.d.
Scope and Content Note
program.
Box 1, Folder 4
Letters
1964
Scope and Content Note
3 typed from Jacques Spacagna to Queneau concerning the issue of
Bizarre that he and Lemaître are preparing,
Box 1, Folder 5
Letter
[1964]
Scope and Content Note
copy of a 7 p. typed letter from Isou to Gaston Gallimard sent to Queneau with a note handwritten in the margin asking him
to comment on Isou's proposals for Gallimard to have readers at Editions Gallimard capable of understanding and defending
Lettrisme and changes to the journal N.N.R.F. which grows worse each year.
Box 1, Folder 6
Advertisement
[1964]
Scope and Content Note
3 p. ts. By Noël Arnaud describing the contents of 3 recordings for sale listed on a 4th page.
Box 1, Folder 6
Invitation
[1956 or 1962]
Scope and Content Note
to a Lemaître event with ink drawings and film strips.
Box 1, Folder 6
Letters ,
10 août 1965 19 Septembre 1962
Scope and Content Note
2 typed, short letters from Lemaître to Queneau.
Box 1, Folder 7
Envelope
[1962]
Scope and Content Note
from Isou to Queneau,
