May 04, 2017 - Sale 2446

Sale 2446 - Lot 385

Price Realized: $ 1,625
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 1,500
"MY NAME IS PRONOUNCED 'MORM'" MAUGHAM, W. SOMERSET. Group of 3 letters Signed, "W.S. Maugham" or "Willie": Two Autograph Letters * Typed Letter. The first, to "Dear Mr. Goldsteing," expressing astonishment upon hearing of the Maugham Literary Circle, and explaining that he cannot write something for him because he is engaged in work relating to the war. The second, "Willie," to [Edward Sheldon?], expressing admiration for Glenway [Wescott], explaining how he advised Wescott not to overvalue certain French writers, and disagreeing with Van Wyck Brooks. The third, TLS, with a holograph phrase, to Mr. Weatherby, thanking him for his letter and explaining the pronunciation of his own name. Together 3 1/2 pages, 4to or 8vo, two on personal stationery; generally good condition. (MRS) Np, 18 August 1915; Yemassee, 13 December [circa 1943?]; Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, 23 October 1949
Set Alert for Similar Items

Additional Details

13 December: "I am very glad to hear that you liked Glenway. I like him very much. He has told me that I have been of use to him, though I don't quite know how. All I am aware of having told him is to be American & I have tried to persuade him that his admiration for the French writers of the 20s, Cocteau & their like, was unjustified. It was a misfortune for him that by spending his most impressionable years in their company he should have attached an exaggerated value to things of small consequence, & I have tried to suggest to him that the proper material . . . is . . . normal man, love, honor, duty, sacrifice & the rest. In fact I did no more than say what Van Wyck Brooks says in his book . . . . But I still don't understand why he thinks human nature can be studied to better advantage in a Kansas Garage than in a drawing room in Park Avenue. That seems to me a weak surrender to a current fallacy. . . ."
23 October 1949: ". . . My name is pronounced 'morm,' or waugham as in it is a waugham day."