THORNTON WILDER ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECOMMENDS REBECCA WEST FOR AN HONORARY DEGREE FROM YALE

WILDER, THORNTON.  (1897-1975).  American novelist and playwright; author of Our Town and The Bridge of San Luis Rev.  Autograph Letter Signed, “Thornton” on Gideon Putnam Hotel stationery. Howden, Conn. November 21, 1956. To “Dear Timmy” [Thomas R. Coward]. Wilder writes:

 

“I’ve written Ben Holden in enthusiastic recommendation of Rebecca West. For all my great admiration of her works I wouldn’t have ventured to write the administration on such matters, but your letter implied that the committee… likes unsolicited recommendations from the side-lines. I’ve just done some more one-act plays and may soon have another volume. (They started out as four-minute plays, for four persons – there are still four characters in each, but I couldn’t hold the duration down.) You were the generous first publisher of my first collection, and I’d like to see them uniform with that, — but you know my situation = Hayer’s loyalist baby who seldom brings ‘em[sic] anything to print. Anyway, twenty eight years later is too late to thank you again for buying out those first plays. Lots of cordial regard, Thorton”.

 

The letter is accompanied by multiple good content letters and copies from Thomas R. Coward regarding the process of Yale conferring an honorary degree to Rebecca West.                                                                        

 

$950.00