May 04, 2017 - Sale 2446

Sale 2446 - Lot 381

Price Realized: $ 1,750
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 2,000
"RECENTLY I SAW A REVIEW OF SPENGLER'S 'DECLINE OF THE WEST'" LOVECRAFT, H.P. Autograph Letter Signed, "Great Grandfather--HP," to "Your L'dship," smoothing over a misunderstanding with Alfredus [Alfred Galpin], noting that [Wilfred Blanch] Talman intends to find an illustrator, praising [Francis Brett Young's] Cold Harbour and other works, admitting that he has never read W. Somerset Maugham, criticizing the rhapsodizing on [Thomas] Hardy by [Benjamin] De Casseres, expressing excitement at having recently read a review of Oswald Spengler's The Decline of the West, sending a card depicting an interesting building in Providence [not present], relating news of mutual acquaintances and, in a postscript, written in upper margin of first page, discussing a lost letter of [Vrest] Orton and asking to convey regards to him. 2 pages, folio, written on the recto and verso of a single sheet; tear at lower edge with minor loss repaired with cello tape, faint paperclip staining at upper edge, folds. (MRS) Providence, 11 June 1926
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". . . As for the U.A. . . . be charitable in view of the difficulties in securing a printer. Talman, of whom I've seen quite a little lately, thinks that he may be able to find us a half-way decent artist upon his return to Spring Valley . . . . Don't let one messed-up magazine sour you eternally toward amateurdom--remember that it's a pretty well-meaning old institution after all, & that it's been of aid & encouragement to more than one young writer at the outset of his career. See how good ol' Mortonius sticks to it through thick & thin . . . !
". . . The important thing is 'Cold Harbour,' which I have lately read with the profoundest of admiration. It is easily the best novel of fear which the present generation has produced, & the cumulative horrors are introduced with admirable power & restraint. The method of narration--using different characters as mouthpieces--is exceedingly effective. All that I failed to admire was the end, where a little 'letting down' was apparent to me. Arthur Machen would have done differently. Praise modern disillusion as you will, you can't convince your Grandpa that there isn't something of anticlimax in a mere murder, suicide & conflagration after so much elaborate preparation. . . . [I]t will afford me infinite delight to introduce you to real literature through the poems of Judge Thomas Durfee . . . . De la Mare can be exceedingly powerful when he chooses . . . . No, I've never read W. Somerset Maugham, tho' I've seen several of his plays. . . .
"I don't think I'd like de Casseres . . . . All I'd say in censure of de C. as a critick is that he rhapsodises too easily & violently --witness his overflowings anent Mr. Hardy. . . .
"Recently I saw a review of Spengler's 'Decline of the West'--which will make splendid discussion-matter with Mortonius. . . . [Y]ou ought to bring it up at a meeting. . . ."