Box 1

"The manuscripts are on offer to a University Library, but a decision has not yet been made. The reason for the delay is funds."

"I dispatched to you yesterday a box containing 25 copies of The Telling, signed. I have treated no. 1 as your personal copy: may the manner of the treatment suit you."

"I'm afraid I have bad news about the manuscripts. The University Library that wanted to buy them couldn't find a donor."

"Yes, your word as to the manuscripts stopped me in my speculations as to them; it has been a long time since I brought them from England for selling here, and I have put some dependence on a successful issue of this."

"I've been asked to sell a collection of Laura Riding typescripts and as Yale already owns Laura Riding's letters to Gertrude Stein I felt that you might be interested in purchasing them."

"...but suddenly felt that there was need of my refering to something as to your disposition of the book which I had failed to think. If you list them in a catalogue, please, bear it in mind that I am sensitive to possibilities of literary and personal identification that may not accord with my ideas of the correct or appropriate in my regard."

"Thank you for your letter. We appreciate you offering the Laura Riding typescripts to us."

"I've decided not to list The Telling in my catalogue of lady writers of the 20th century. The reason is that if we are succesful in selling the signed editions..."

"I understand, and approve, the scruple that has altered your plan as to the handling of The Telling copies. I should indeed like to see a copy of your script for the flyer-"

...

"I am sorry our Mr. Gallup idea had no future. I dislike that talk of 'major' acquisitions."

"I delayed answering because I had already made arrangements to see Lola Szladits on another matter and had planned to bring the typescripts to her attention then. We had our meeting yesterday and Dr. Szladits has expressed interest in purchasing them for the Berg Collection."