D.H. LAWRENCE WRITES TO CURTIS BROWN ~~ ”NEXT WEEK I’LL SEND THE MS [MANUSCRIPT] OF THE PLUMED SERPENT (QUETZALCOATL), MY MEXICAN NOVEL, TO THE NEW YORK OFFICE, ASKING THEM TO MAKE THE CORRECTIONS ON THE DUPLICATE AND FORWARD A COPY TO YOU AT ONCE. I CONSIDER THIS MY MOST IMPORTANT NOVEL, SO FAR.”

 

LAWRENCE, D.H.  (1885-1930).  English novelist and poet;  his novels: Sons and Lovers (1913), The Rainbow (1915), and Women in Love (1920) made him one of the most influential English writers of the 20th century. Good and enlightening Autograph Letter Signed, “D.H. Lawrence”.  Two full pages, quarto.  “Del Monte Ranch, Questa, New Mexico”, June 23, 1923.  Very fine condition.  To “Dear Curtis Brown”.  [Albert Curtis Brown, the founder of the Literary agency which bears his name].  Lawrence writes:

 

“I had your radiogram last night — it took three days by post, from the air station here in New Mexico. 

I seem to remember that O’Brien does a sort of anthology of short stories each year, but whether English or American publishing I don’t know.  I had thought, that perhaps I would do a third long story, to go with The Woman Who Rode Away and The Princess, and make a Vol. for America.  But perhaps it would be better to leave it to you to decide.  If this O’Brien concern is a good one, and you think it best to let him have The Princess, then agree with him.  Anyhow The Princess is used for England, already.

I expect by this time you have the MS. of the play David.  It is a good play, and for the theatre.  Someone ought to do it.  

I think next week I’ll send the MS. of The Plumed Serpent (Quetzalcoatl), my Mexican novel, to the New York Office, asking them to make the corrections on the duplicate and forward a copy to you at once.  I consider this my most important novel, so far.  Will you show it to Secher.  Perhaps he might set it up soon, if he likes it, in galleys.  I should like very much to show it to a Mexican friend, in Mexico City, and have his opinion, before it is finally printed.  I’m a bit afraid to send the MS. down there. 

When is Barnaby coming back to New York?  Knopf advertises that I shall henceforth publish exclusively with him.  He’s not justified in so doing.  Seltzer writes an expostulation.  I never made any ‘exclusive’ promise to Knopf, and I don’t think Barnaby ever did.  Yours, D.H. Lawrence”.

 

  Just superb!  Letters of this length, association and literary content are very difficult to obtain. 

 

 $4600.00