Papers of Margaret Plass in the William Buller Fagg collection, 1946-1990 (MS 503)
Contents:
/1 1946-54 Margaret Plass Papers
/2 1955-57 Margaret Plass Papers
/3 1958-59 Margaret Plass Papers
/4 1960-61 Margaret Plass Papers
/5 1962-63 Margaret Plass Papers
/6 1964 Margaret Plass Papers
/7 1965 Margaret Plass Papers
/8 1966 Margaret Plass Papers
/9 1967-68 Margaret Plass Papers
/10 1969-82 Margaret Plass Papers
/11 Undated Margaret Plass Papers
/12 Newspaper Cuttings
/1 1946-54 Margaret Plass Papers
/1 MWP to WBF, 17 Oct. 1946 – on dental work next weekend; the next week she hopes to start on his library; it will probably take a year; caring for her husband must come first; may come to Paris with him and Webster; may go to Rome for Christmas with friends Demaree and Dorothy Bess; they collect Chinese things and Japanese lacquer; describes Demaree; asks if the Curator of the Ethnology and Archaeology Museum in Cambridge is the friend of their pal Mishkin; if so, he has some African stuff he might dispose of; WBF might look it over with Webster’s collection in mind; wishes he knew their collection in Philadelphia; it is really very good; will write to Kitty about going down; describes Kitty; refers to her reference to Malinowski; refers to Man; on French wine; on the difference in age between them; asks that he call them Margaret and Webster. 4 pages (autogr.)
/2 Kitty [Ritson] to MWP, 20 Oct. – shall expect her on 30 Oct.; on trains; after lunch shall drive to the house to see the books; it is a diverse collection; expects Tina will bite the young man if he is afraid of her; tells an anecdote about Malinowski; on the use of the term ‘gravid’. 3 pages (tp.)
/3 MWP to WBF, post 20 Oct. – Braunholtz seemed confused about the Nigerian plaques; he had difficulty understanding her accent; Webster is allergic to telephones so she is his liaison officer; if WBF goes to the museum he might ask Braunholtz the situation; on her first acquaintance with the museum; Kitty wrote giving directions; will enclose her ‘crazy note’; on the dog biting either of them; wants him to get the pick of her books; on her dental work (autogr.; water damaged)
/4 Ibid., 25 Nov. [as per postmark] – Webster is trying to get reservations for them [in Paris] in Dec.; she is supposed to come over with the ancient Chairman of the Board; is returning ‘Nigeria’ under separate cover; refers to an anthropological tidbit from the New Yorker [not held] (autogr.)
/5 Mr & Mrs Charles Webster Plass to ibid., 28 Nov. [as per postmark] – invitation to cocktails, to meet Mr & Mrs Gildersleeve (autogr. note on printed business card)
/1/6 WBF to Webster Plass, 5 Jan. 1947 – was sorry to have missed wishing him a bon voyage before he left for the States; the Musée de l’Homme has acted with alacrity on the agreement he made with Leiris and Mme Schaeffner; their Americanist Henri Lehmann came over, largely to deal with WBF on the African exchange; on showing him round; he has brought photos of most of the pieces suggested for the first exchange; on the pieces; on persuading Braunholtz to part with specimens coming up to them in quality; he [Webster Plass] will have been the architect of the enrichment of both museums; on a cheque which he sent to WBF; on new year greetings from the friends he made in Paris (autogr.)
/7 Ibid., 19 Jan. – welcomes him on his return; wishes him a happy birthday; was sorry he did not get the Haddon book in time to give it to him at Christmas; discusses the book; on taking MWP and the boss’s daughter to the Australian exhibition; has been commissioned by Nature to write a short report on the exhibition (autogr.)
/8 MWP to WBF, 22 Apr. – refers to his letter [not held]; is having a good holiday; on the museum business; on Yvonne Odon; on the Sharpleses; shall ring him the minute the ship docks; asks him to ring Millie; on ‘beaux’ she has acquired; on the women [in Philadelphia?] (autogr.)
/9 Ibid. to [WBF], 30 Apr. [as per postmark] – mentions Millie; on numbered items which she got for Webster; on ‘poulies’[?]; on Denise helping her bid; on items which WBF and Webster got; she will have the marked catalogue for him on Sunday; gave coffee to Yvonne, Denise and Léman; on her agent Marcel Fraisse; is a bit disturbed about getting the things out of France; is going to see Ratton tomorrow; on dining with the Besses (autogr.)
/10 Ibid., 1 May [1947?] – refers to his letter [not held]; discusses how well he writes; has found an agent for Ela Sen Reid; it has been a glamorous holiday but she will be glad to be home; on Webster of whom she sees very little; Millie writes every day; is going to the Museum on Saturday; they want Webster to be Director; London is her home; has to take the Chairman of the Board to Paris; asks to see him before she leaves; asks him to ring Millie; she misses him (autogr.)
/1/11 Ibid., 9 May [1947?] – it is her first day at sea; she is going to rest all the way across; on her holiday; her mother is an amazing woman; is going to take advice from people she loves and respects; is going to Paris with Jack Murray on 21 May; Webster is staying away and she is deputizing for him; is going to pick up the Fang piece in Paris; wishes he could come too; has presents for him; wonders if she drinks too much; on celebrities aboard; mentions Ela Sen Reid; has acquired another attractive woman; likes young beautiful women around her; will give him news of the UM when she sees him (autogr.)
/12 Ibid. to WBF & Lilian Fagg, 11 June – refers to her excitement; mentions Denise Schaeffner; they are plotting a coup for the Musée de l’Homme; on buying an item for the museum; Ratton has a client who wants it at any price; everyone tells her not to trust Ratton; on the exhibition; on items she bid for[?]; is thinking of things to sell to make up for her extravagance; on Paris; the food situation is very serious; Denise and her agent are lunching with her; Ratton introduced her to Helena Rubinstein; on her plans for the return trip; on the sale; she loves all of the Musée people; is phoning WBF tonight about what she got for him. 4 pages (autogr.)
/13 Marian Angell Godfrey to Mr Plass, [19 June?] – thanks him for forwarding the catalogue; MWP asked her to tell him what she knew of Wendell Phillips; gives some information; asks him to visit (tp.)
/14 Webster Plass to […?], 1 July – on shipping and insurance; mentions Fraisse (telegram)
/15 MWP to WBF, 15 July – took Brooke Edwards with her to collect the Ibo from Keggie; on the odd set-up; on loons; Brooke wants to come to the BM to see WBF; he is interested in Egyptology; will take Ratton to dine; on the colour of the ink; he can have the Ibo whenever he likes. 4 pages (autogr.; water damaged)
/16 Ibid., 16 Aug. [as per postmark] – tells a ‘very American story’ about a restaurant in Chicago called the Pump Room; refers to his letter [not held]; his letters arrive at opportune moments; on seeing the piece he describes (autogr.)
/17 Ibid., 20 Jan. 1948 – on the people she has seen in Paris; on her activities (autogr. pc)
/18 24 Apr. – invitation to Webster Plass to an exhibition of African Art at the Hotel Drouot, Paris (printed card)
/1/19 Madge Barton Cannon [MWP’s mother] to MWP, 4 Aug. 1948 – she cannot do any domestic tasks until she has written to her; letters are her daily food; mentions Ollie who has a bad back; on the weather; on plants; on her neighbour and her children; on Truman; the people face inflation; on scandal; she looks well but uses a glass for reading and a ‘Maico’ hearing aid; mentions new shoes and clothes; is dreading MWP’s trip to Africa, Japan, Australia and other disturbed portions of the world; asks why she and Webster must risk their lives by seeking more worlds to conquer; hopes she will read this to him; quotes from Whitman; hopes she will spend a week near her and tell her about good times. 6 pages (autogr.)
/20 MWP to ‘Uncle Billy’, [7 Aug.] – refers to her mother’s letter; identifies some of the characters mentioned; forgot to give him the cheese; on Herskovits; tomorrow is her birthday; asks him to ask BEBF to ring Webster; on lunching with BEBF (autogr.; water damaged)
/21 Webster Plass to WBF, 23 Sept. – on having dinner with Phelps Soule; the discussion was on how the University Press handled its publications; outlines the procedure; the discussion centred on the possible publication of a book on the Ife heads; on the Oxford Press; on Oxford Press cooperating with the University Press; on the Colonial Office, British Arts Council or the BM supporting the publication of the Ife heads; if he is interested in such an arrangement, suggests that he talks to the Oxford Press about it, and send Soule some photographs and a brief summary of the proposed text; on the number of copies which might be sold; believes he could get out a book which would reflect credit on the BM; MWP to WBF – mentions Underwood; Phelps Soule is very interested in doing a book; they are three miles high over Texas; hopes he can see their country one day. 5 pages (autogr.)
/22 MWP to Jack & Toni, 13 Oct. – has just come back from the British Embassy; on a bullying chauffeur; is going to meet Nora Waln; mentions Demaree Bess; on typhoons; on the flight to Japan via Hawaii; Webster finds Japan better run than Germany; on going to Lake Hakone; on the Japanese landscape; on a Japanese meal; asks that they pass the letter to her mother. 2 leaves (tp. with autogr. note by MWP, and autogr. note ‘Please return to M.B.C.’)
/1/23 Ibid. to Madge Barton Cannon, 18 Oct. 1948 – on the news on the Armed Forces Programme, which is inane drivel; on lunching with Mr & Mrs Vere Redman; discusses them; on other people who asked them to lunch; Redman knows a number of BM people; everywhere in the world British Embassy staff do a superb job; on Japanese museums; on the meal they had at the Redmans’; on shopping; Webster has gone with Yamaguchi to Yokohama today; on other places they are going to; asks her to send the letter on to WBF. 4 leaves (autogr. with autogr. note ‘Please return to M.B.C.’)
/24 Menu from the Hotel Tokyo, 12 Oct., with notes added by MWP about the food, the waitresses and the building; [on verso:] MWP to [WBF?] – on paying for things in dollars or in yen; they are going to meet some Japanese ethnologists tomorrow at the Redmans’; Webster has to meet with Boeki Cho of the Japanese Board of Trade; he will come to the Redmans after his meeting (autogr.)
/25 MWP to WBF, 20 Oct. – the menu is page 1, this is page 2; on the meeting at Redman’s; he had Prof. Suda and another professor; Prof. Suda suggested WBF write to Dr Ishida to ask for an article on the present status of ethnological sciences in Japan; on an exchange of publications between the RAI and the University of Tokyo; they are going to see various private collections and museums; Webster will write about them; has bought a few things to bring home (autogr.)
/26 Ibid., 22 Oct. – on going to the Folk Art Museum at Mingeikan; on Mr Yanagi, the Director; on buying books; transport is the problem; Yanagi is the editor of a monthly called Kōgai; wonders if the RAI got it prewar; on the building which houses the museum; on forms of Japanese art; on Okinawa; is taking Yanagi a box of food; describes him; thinks Webster should talk to Mr Braunholtz to see if he agrees to acquiring some things from Yanagi; is going to Redman’s again; she and Webster are going to see that Baba collection of Ainu stuff (autogr.)
/1/27 Ibid. to WBF, 26 Oct. [1948] – her arm is hurting her; cannot manage the typewriter with a broken neck; Webster has virus pneumonia; they went to Kyoto and Nara for the weekend; he lectured in Osaka on Monday; on calling on Professor Umehara of Kyoto University; mentions Prof. Suda; refers to her notes on Nara; mentions Prof. Hanada; describes Prof. Umehara; on English scholars whom the professor knew; describes the visit in detail; the professor wanted to send some books to the BM; he was pleased that they took the books to Tokyo where the British Embassy would send them; mentions Redman; he wants to write an article for WBF in Japanese, if WBF can have it translated; asks him to ask Braunholtz to write a thank you; there is a need for hurry as the professor has TB; he said WBF should not hesitate to ask him for anything he needs. 4 pages (autogr.)
/28 MWP to WBF, nd [1948] – gave ‘this’ [/1/27] to W[ebster] to post but it was overweight with the Nara notes so she has omitted them; is unspeakably busy; asks him to tell Braunholtz to write thank yous to Redman and Umehara; Umehara wants any RAI publications which can be spared; professors are very influential in Japan; refers to WBF’s letter of 14 Oct. [not held] (autogr.)
/29 Madge Barton Cannon to ibid., 5 Nov. – on a letter from MWP; her daughter is an indefatigable correspondent; she should keep copies and produce a travel volume; will be glad when she is back in London and in the care of a good physician; hopes Webster will realise that rest is essential occasionally (autogr.)
/30 9 Nov. – text on the Calcutta Museum, which is in a moribund state; there are hardly any visitors; the exhibit area is in a pitiful state; many of the best exhibits are away on loan; there are no specimens from Africa; on a Japanese Lion Mask; on cockroaches (tp.)
/31 Carl Kjersmeier to MWP, 21 Dec. 1949 – refers to her letter [not held]; on his activities during the year; on his 60th birthday on 16 Dec.; on WBF being in Africa; it would be amusing if the cannibals should like to eat him; on letters from Mrs Meyrowitz from the Gold Coast; is glad to know it is still possible to have new sculptures for her collection; mentions Madeleine Rousseau; hopes to see her and Webster in Copenhagen (tp.); MWP to WBF, 24 Dec. – refers to his letter [not held]; is feeling weak but it may be from laughing at K.’s letter; on other correspondence she has had; on Mr & Mrs Stoclet dying within a few hours of each other; Webster bought her a new mattress; she must write to Margaret Kerton; he could do a lot worse, if he cannot get Mary Tew (autogr.)
/1/32 MWP & Webster Plass to [WBF?], Christmas 1950 – Christmas card (printed)
/33 Esther Belliss to MWP, 9 Apr. 1951 – had been hoping to meet her again at one of the A. meetings; invites her for tea and the evening; gives directions for getting there by bus; hopes she can come, with her husband. 2 leaves (autogr.); [on verso:] MWP to WBF, nd – on Esther Belliss, who she got to join the Institute; she is studying sculpture; she could probably bear him six bouncing babies; asks that he go to see her (autogr.)
/34 MWP and Webster Plass to WBF, [28 Apr.] 1952 – wish him a happy birthday (autogr. card)
/35 T.W. Kendrick, Director and Principal Librarian, BM, to Mr & Mrs Webster Plass, 25 July – the Trustees asked him to convey their thanks for the assistance they gave in connection with the acquisition of Sir Raymond Menendez’s Collection from Nigeria; outlines that assistance; their valuable help is appreciated by the Trustees (tp.)
/36 F[rank] Francis, Department of Printed Books, BM, to ibid., 5 Aug. – has just come across a letter from WBF dated last Dec., enclosing a pamphlet which they offered to the Museum Library; the letter had been filed; apologises; shall be very glad to have the pamphlet (autogr.)
/37 The Times, announcement of the death of Webster Plass on 16 Aug. (newspaper cutting)
/38 The Times, 20 Aug. – Obituary of Webster Plass by WBF (newspaper cutting)
/39 Ibid., ibid. – ibid. (offprint)
/40 Ibid., nd – ibid. for Man. 7 leaves (autogr. draft) [see MS 497/11/196]
/41 Madge Barton Cannon to MWP, post-16 Aug. – Hunter and Ollie will not let her come; Webster was MWP’s best friend; she would die if it meant she could give Webster his life back; MWP has been the best of wives; refers to Byard; she and Webster are always right; outlines some of Webster’s traits; shall go into mourning for the best man she ever knew. 2 leaves (tp.)
/1/42 WBF to T.W. Kendrick, post-16 Aug. 1952 – on Webster Plass’ death; does not think he [Kendrick] met Plass and his wife but he has heard about them as benefactors and friends of the Department; apart from his direct gifts to the Museum his services have been of many kinds, given in the most generous way; outlines these services; Webster and his wife had both completed new wills making it certain that their own collection will come to the museum; he has been instructed to put this in the obituary; gives details of the funeral; gives him MWP’s address; is going to Cambridge with all Webster’s papers as Hon. Treasurer of the Americanist Congress (autogr. draft)
/43 MWP to WBF, post-16 Aug. – she knows he knows how much she appreciates his sympathy; she loves and depends on him; is happy to remember that Webster loved him too; thanks him for being himself (autogr.)
/44 T.W. Kendrick to ibid., 18 Aug. – refers to WBF’s letter [/1/42]; was distressed to hear of the death of Webster Plass; he was a kind friend to the Museum; has written to MWP; on the funeral (autogr.)
/45 J.P. Mills to ibid., ibid. – has just seen the news of Webster Plass’ death; has written to MWP; supposes the RAI will send condolences (autogr.)
/46 P.E. Clarke, the Times, to ibid., 21 Aug. – refers to his letter of 20 Aug. [not held] confirming order for 200 reprints of his obituary of Webster Plass; the reprints will be sent to MWP as soon as possible (tp.)
/47 WBF to Madge Barton Cannon, 31 Aug. – is going to an anthropological congress in Vienna; has been very close to MWP in her bereavement; asked MWP for her address; Webster had become his dearest friend; his death has brought a crystallization of WBF’s feelings for MWP; many people have been doing what they can to help her; her main source of strength has been across the Atlantic; she is fortunate to have such a mother; she is acting with all the nobility which would be expected of her (autogr.)
/48 [Cyril] Lloyd to WBF, 27 Sept. – Webster’s ashes were consigned to the deep; MWP is wonderful and relaxed; gives a list of people to inform (telegram)
/1/49 WBF to BEBF, 30 Sept. 1952 – on his responsibilities as Angela’s godfather; discusses the matter in great detail; is convinced that Angela should go to boarding school in England rather than return with BEBF [to Africa]; if WBF’s advice is not taken, he will place on record that he has been prevented from discharging the duties of godfatherhood, with regret (autogr. draft)
/50 MWP to WBF, 4 Oct. – has no time to write to him; his picture is in her bedroom; it is eleven o’clock and she should be trying to sleep; on the Scattergoods; Katherine MacBride spent several hours with her; had lunch with Cyril; outlines her ‘crowded’ programme; she renounced her rights as executor; on a letter that was on her pillow; Mortimer calls her ‘cutie’; describes what she had for dinner; has been valuing the collection for probate; refers to ‘ridiculous stuff’ about Cyril, Webster and her in the News of the World; hopes she gets a letter from him before she leaves for Washington. 3 pages (autogr.)
/51 Ibid., 5 Oct. – everything going well except she has no time to write (telegram)
/52 [Cyril] Lloyd to ibid., 13 Oct. – asks him to instruct Milly to hand over the official files [to] the Sharples Organisation (telegram)
/53 Madge Barton Cannon to ibid., 15 Oct. – on his kind letter [/1/47]; his words in the Times [/1/38] were the most beautiful tribute she had read for a long time; its sincerity spoke in every line; Webster’s love and respect were rich possessions; thanks him for his friendship and devotion to her children; she shall cherish the memory of a great and kindly gentleman (autogr.)
/54 MWP to ibid., 16 Oct. – sails for home tomorrow; is having her usual reaction to America; Cyril is allergic to Sharples; how awful that she should lose her house; it would do damage to live there on the charity of PTS; shall get a flat; on her income; Cyril wants her to go to Nigeria with him in Jan.; she could go to wherever WBF is; she and Cyril would be guests of the Nigerian government; on Cyril; Hartley Dodge sent [Cyril] a rifle; he has taught her how to accept; she has always loved giving and hated accepting; spent last weekend at the Dodges; does not know what files he cabled about; on Francis Gibbs; she got a huge orchid from her executor Mortimer Newlin; her rooms are full of flowers; it is very nice to have so many people to love who love her back (autogr.)
/1/55 John J. Serrell to ibid., 18 Oct. 1952 – refers to WBF’s note of 16 Oct. [not held]; is happy to enclose a cheque in payment of his cable cost; is off to Liverpool but expects to be back at Chelsea Park Gardens if there are further developments (tp.)
/56 MWP to ibid., 20 Oct. – asks him to arrange for him and Millie to come aboard to meet her (telegram)
/57 WBF to BEBF, ibid. – sees no hope of penetrating his complacency; receives no gratitude for being willing to risk odium by writing frankly; refers to BEBF’s gibes at the length of his letter; on Angela and her schooling; he will pray for them all (autogr. draft)
/58 Madge Barton Cannon to WBF, ibid. – refers to his letter of sympathy [/1/47]; on trying to respond; on a letter she wrote which disappeared; on the great blow of Webster’s loss; refers to WBF’s obituary in the Times [/1/38]; she knows that Webster loved WBF; asks him to forgive her (autogr.)
/59 Ibid., 22 Oct. – refers to his understanding note following Webster’s death; on Webster’s affection for him; on her difficulty in expressing herself; on WBF’s association with Webster; outlines some of Webster’s good qualities; thanks him again for his letter; asks him to forgive the weakness of the reply. 4 pages (autogr.)
/60 Ibid., 26 Jan. [1953 as per postmark] – has had an odd letter from MWP; appeals to him as a friend to discover what is wrong; asks if he has any knowledge of her physical or mental condition; MWP’s father is in hospital at the point of death; she does not want MWP to know this yet; she would want to come over; she wrote of ‘going mad’; asks him not to hesitate to tell her what is wrong; she depends on him for news (autogr.)
/61 A. & C. Kjersmeier to MWP, 4 May – greetings from Portugal where Negro sculptures are still to be found; greetings to WBF (autogr., part of a pc)
/1/62 WBF to ibid., 30 May 1953 – has received four letters from her since his sent at Southampton; her letters give the impression that she has recovered from her troubles; refers to the good spirits she was in when she left England; if she has had a reaction against those good spirits the depression is superficial; refers to her and his future happiness; on her mother; asks if her mother will be with her husband in the nursing home; the catalogue should be finished in a few days now; had to leave it alone for some days in order to get out the RAI Annual Report; mentions Malvina Hoffman who came in with Mrs Milligan; they have very fine seats for the Coronation; his mother is not feeling well yet but they are hoping it will go well; he will write and describe the scene after the day; Verité has been in with some things he collected; has bought two more good masks; is going to Mrs Seligman’s Iris Party; asks if she has seen Eliot; suggests she call at the Brooklyn Museum and talk to Fred Pleasants about his exhibition; on the prospect of her coming home soon; he often plays her records, especially Mahler’s Fourth Symphony; discusses the idea of travelling on the Continent, going to see von den Heydt and the Swiss museums; should have to know fairly soon when she would be free. 4 pages (autogr.; water damaged)
/63 Ibid., 9 June – it is a week since the Coronation and it seems longer; all the clichés about a ‘deeply moving spectacle’ have turned out to be true; it was deeply satisfying; what drove this home to him was the rain; on the value of the Coronation to an anthropologist; on the divine kingship; contrasts the British system with the American; gives an account of the day; he and his mother spent the night at the RAI, he in the Ladies’ Lavatory on the landing; they reached the stand at 7.30; there was only light drizzle in the morning; the rain came down heavily at the actual moment of the crowning; on the procession; the spectacle could hardly have been more impressive; must now break off and finish the account later; on all the other things he is having to do. 6 pages (autogr.)
/64 Ibid., 18 June – continues his description of the Coronation; mentions Nehru; describes Queen Salote of Tonga in great detail; on the torrential rain; on his journey home with his mother; discusses the Everest news; on the subtle change which has come over the country after the Coronation; mentions seeing the Queen in Gower Street; on two Coronation films; she [MWP] may not publish this account of the Coronation; discusses the Johnson book [see MS 498 passim]; Francis has been in correspondence with Yale; has written to Ingersoll about Benin things; on a Conference on African History. 8 pages (autogr., some crossed out)
/1/65 Ibid., 26 June 1953 – sends her Francis’ letter; asks her to use her discretion concerning showing the letter to Kirkland; the number of such books known is greater than at first thought; Yale is interested in the volume; Francis has said nothing to them about price; WBF’s father once refused £500 for the volume; refers to his Coronation letter being broadcast; on a garden party; hopes she will come home at the earliest possible day (autogr.)
/66 Ibid., 30 June – this is a business communication; quotes from a letter from Francis [concerning the Johnson volume]; on the prices fetched by such volumes; it would seem that she should not approach Yale but should make a settlement with Fred Kirkland; suggests what she should tell Kirkland (autogr.)
/67 Ibid,. [?] June – discusses daydreams; it is clear from her recent letters that she is in the best of spirits; if this were not clear, he might have supposed her to be building up an impossible situation from which no retreat is possible; he does not feel he can come to the States this year; he knew instinctively that he could not accept her suggestion; will offer some reasons for her satisfaction; gives these reasons; he has already mentioned to HJB the possibility of going to Switzerland this summer; their disembodied Benin head fits the headless bronze in Zürich; has proposed letting them have the head in exchange for something of theirs; is also anxious to see the von den Heydt collection; HJB will be seeking authority for this trip at the forthcoming Trustees’ meeting; it would look odd to abandon the project; he thought she wrote off the Continental trip cavalierly; discusses the possibility of her coming; on the irises; on MWP’s mother; mentions MWP’s plan to be a commission agent for Klejman; on his mother; refers to the ‘Coronation wetting’. 4 pages (autogr.)
/68 Ibid., 5 July – is feeling particularly happy these days; she is at the centre of his happiness; in spite of unfulfilled commitments he feels things are going well; on her happiness in America; looks forward to seeing her in less than two months’ time; on the catalogue; on his work at the RAI; on his work for Man; on other commitments; is determined to get the catalogue finished quickly; mentions Switzerland; would like to go towards the end of Aug. or early Sept.; suggests she might write to Ratton about plans; asks her not to show the letter to anyone (autogr.)
/1/69 MWP to WBF, 27 July 1953 – asks him to write; John has acquired some Dogon material; on exchanging one of the masks for catalogued pieces[?]; she does not approve of getting rid of any catalogued pieces; Mel will be in London in Sept.; on setting the date for WBF’s Northwestern lecture; on other lectures; John says he looks wonderful (autogr.; some water damage); [on verso:] Melville J. Herskovits to MWP, 23 July – it was nice to see her; on travel arrangements; on the weather[?] (autogr.; some water damage)
/70 WBF to MWP, 28 July – hopes she had a happy time in New Orleans; feels guilty for not writing for so long; her last two letters [not held] were difficult to answer; on writing to her mother; on her passage home; would love to see her on 21 Aug.; however thinks she should put her return off; the catalogue has not yet gone to the printers; it is perfectionism causing the delay; was hoping she would be here when the exhibition opens; gives her a message for Fred Kirkland; on lunching with Lord Hailey; he also saw Cyril; spent last week writing up his Manchester lecture; hopes she is feeling good (autogr.)
/71 Charles Ratton to ibid., 30 July – refers to her letters [not held]; on her living partly in the States; on Mr Sturgis Ingersoll; discusses a Benin horn-blower which Ingersoll bought; asks if Pleasants is preparing his exhibition of masterpieces; on Elisofon; on American collectors in Paris; on some pieces he bought; on an African collection of about 50 pieces which was sold to a customer introduced by Ratton; on the possibility of buying only the African part of the collection; on negotiations with the owner; asks what she would like to do; describes some of the African pieces. 3 leaves (autogr.; some water damage)
/72 WBF to ibid., 3 Aug. – thanks her for all the happiness she has given him in the last seven years; refers to the first time they met; her existence gives him joy in life; without her he would have been free of anxieties but free of inspiration; on the things which remind him of her; on seeing a woman in the street who reminded him of her; on the breeze lifting her skirt (autogr.; page[s] missing?]
/1/73 Charles Ratton to ibid., 4 Aug. 1953 – refers to her letter [not held]; discusses Pleasants and his masterpiece exhibition; mentions Von der Heyst who gave his collections to the town of Zurich; the director of the Rietberg Museum in Zurich is Prof. Itten; recommends a hotel in Ascona; on his holiday plans; mentions the Webster Plass Exhibition; suggests they go to see the African collection. 2 leaves (autogr.; some water damage)
/74 MWP to WBF, 7 Aug. – on a meeting with Pleasants about the Brooklyn Museum exhibition; on the selection and advisory committee; Pleasants to write the formal introduction to the catalogue, and WBF to write an explanatory introduction (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/75 WBF to MWP, 8 Aug. – is thinking of her on her birthday; includes a little poem; on seeing her in hardly a month’s time; on booking her a room (autogr.; page[s] missing)
/76 Ibid., 10 Aug. – encloses spare proof of his most recent writing; on getting offprints; on her letter of 6 Aug. [not held]; mentions her new will; on the plans for Pleasants’ exhibition; wonders why Charles is not on the Selection Committee; he himself accepts a place on the Committee; will discuss the introduction later; asks about the Ife head of Klejman’s; on the collection C.R. is putting her on to; hopes she will buy the collection; does not believe she ever told Eliot of his misgivings about the book; discusses these; on a young photographer called Kenett who takes the best African art photographs WBF has ever seen; hopes they can find some use for him; discusses Eisenhower and Churchill (autogr.)
/77 Ibid., 11 Aug. – refers to her letter [not held]; on the Stillmans and Segy; Segy might be a better man to give an introduction to Von den Heydt than C.R.; on the selection committee; all members must have a power of veto and must see photographs of the objects to be included; on speaking to the Finsbury Art Club (autogr.; page[s] missing?)
/78 Carl F. Duerr [‘Fred’] to ibid., ibid. – on her paying a visit; mentions the ‘Sharples crew’; discusses hotels in Vienna; on hotels in Zürich; mentions Gen. Lloyd’s operation; his brother is recovering from the same operation; on his travel plans (autogr.)
/1/79 WBF to ibid., 21 Aug. 1953 – refers to her letters [not held]; his enthusiasm for her return is mounting almost beyond endurance; has finished the pencilled draft of the Catalogue and is working on the fair copy; William Clowes has taken the first quarter; he says they can produce the catalogue by 9 Oct.; thinks Braunholtz is retiring about 10 Oct. and he wanted the show to open before he went; is hoping to get the exhibition worked out before their honeymoon starts; gives the itinerary for the Swiss trip; on going to Stuttgart and Ulm also; discusses the itinerary; on Stillman; thanks her for what she has done about the Johnson [volume] (autogr.; some water damage)
/80 Ibid., 26 Aug. – sends the captions; mentions Cynthia Thompson; the captions are meant as raw material for Eliot to work on; his working life is completely ‘Margaretocentric’; gives details of his long days; is feeling well and happy; is certain that the catalogue will be ready on time; is sorry that they have dropped the picture of her with the collection from the Time store[?]; has not had time to book any flights yet (autogr.; some water damage)
/81 Ibid., 29 Aug. – supposes this is the last letter she will receive before they meet on 10 Sept.; the joy and pain of expectation is excruciating; handed the last of the catalogue to the printers yesterday; on his work for the introduction; asks how many should be printed; the catalogue and exhibition will be ready by 9 Oct.; asks if she wants to invite Princess Alice; Braunholtz retires on 12 Oct.; discusses details about the trip to Switzerland; it will look better if they do not arrive together (autogr.; some water damage)
/82 Ibid., 26 Sept. – this is a letter she must not show to anyone; is jeopardizing his visa by writing it; on accommodation; would like nothing more than to spend all the 30 days with her; but cannot approve of appearing to be living together in the flat; ‘the worst’ would be taken for granted; on Michael Ayrton staying in her flat; on her spending $150 on a bed for him; these matters will have been taken in malam partem; refers to Webster’s reputation, and theirs; it must appear that he is using the flat as a working headquarters, but going elsewhere to sleep; he cannot tell his mother or the BM that he is staying in her flat; hopes she has booked for him; asks if he owes the opportunity to the Plass Foundation or to her privately; has agreed to sell his house; hopes they need not move till after his return; on US currency (autogr.; some water damage)
/1/83 Ibid., 30 Oct. 1953 – hopes she had a comfortable crossing; refers to her letter [not held]; explains why he did not feel sad about her departure; is happy in the expectation of her return; discusses whether she chooses to live in America or England; on the possibility of having two homes; mentions her mother’s condition; on the Stillmans and their pieces (autogr.; some water damage)
/84 Ibid., 10 Nov. – refers to her letter of 6 Nov. [not held]; is sorry to hear that she is ill with high blood pressure; she is living her life at the wrong rhythm; she needs to relax; likens her to a record being played at the wrong speed; the things that mean most to her are crowded out by petty tyrants; he knows how she feels when her brain races and she loses her bearings; suggests she write down the things that are important and plan the rhythm of her life around them; Webster would say she needed to be doing a job; he is sure that her job is here with him; on her helping the Brooklyn Museum; on her monetary affairs; on K.C.M. and the Allman pieces; Bryzowski inspected the collection two months ago (autogr.; some water damage)
/85 MWP to [WBF?], 13 Nov. – on the Klejmans bidding for the Allman pieces; mentions the Princess; they are not bidding for Murray; has found two good customers; discusses one of these, Paul Barnes; on Segy; has decided not to fly Mother to California; Klejman has some beautiful new pieces (autogr.; some water damage)
/86 WBF to MWP, 24 Nov. – on the full extent of his happiness; has been recalling the delights of the Swiss journey; is utterly secure in the knowledge that she is his and he is hers; on her happiness; is in favour of her plan of cataloguing American collections; if she wants any help she can send photographs for hs opinion; outlines how she should maintain her high reputation in this field; on her fees; suggests fees should be for some good cause such as the BM, the RAI or the Brooklyn Museum; has never felt happy with Mortimer’s advice to her to insist on payment from the museums she works for; on Fred Pleasants; suggests she decide with him on some useful job she could do; she must be realistic about what she is going to do for the exhibition; on her payment of exhibition expenses; on offprints; on her mother; mentions MWP coming back in Jan.; on comparing the photo of their Ife cast with Klejman’s piece. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/1/87 Ibid., 1 Dec. 1953 – refers to her note [not held]; hopes she is feeling well and happy; on meeting Freddie Gilbert in the ‘Princess Louise’ pub; on spring cleaning the office; on Miss Bennet-Clark; mentions her deafness; on having Leon Siroto working there for a period; wonders how the money is to be raised; on L.S.’s review; asks her to come home in Jan. (autogr.)
/88 E. Storrer to ibid., 7 Dec. – refers to her letter [not held]; does not have the photographs to send her; is going back to Africa soon and will find some pieces to photograph for her; on her returning to Switzerland and seeing his collection; on the exhibition at Berne; on separating the big figures[?] (tp.; in French; some water damage)
/89 Timothy Atkeson to ‘Great Aunt Margaret’ [MWP], ibid. – on her new will; on the trip to Airlie to provide witnesses; mentions WBF; the family will rejoice at being together at Christmas (autogr. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/90 WBF to ibid., 12 Dec. – on her mother and her illness; on buying the Allman collection at Sotheby’s; gives some of the prices he paid; it was very exciting; mentions Murray; Nigeria will be very grateful; most of the papers had something about the sale; he had permission from Allman to publish the collection before the sale in Man; on the QM head; refers to her wish to give him a large sum of money; is not in urgent need of money; asks if he might ask for money more freely where something is needed to further their joint interests; for example, mentions getting enlargements of all his photos; he longs for her return (autogr.)
/91 MWP to [WBF], Christmas – asks for some reprints and Plass catalogues (autogr. card)
/92 Leon Siroto to MWP, 27 Dec. – refers to WBF liking his review; New York is ‘bedlamish’ at this season; the libraries are crowded; on the mudfish problem; refers to her gift of windflowers; asks if she and WBF have a favourite flower; he has no favourite in anything; on the Klejmans; on some African pieces Klejman has acquired; thanks her for her thoughtfulness; he and Edith love her for it (autogr.)
/93 Paul [Wingert?] to ibid., 28 Dec. – has had nothing to drink since last Wednesday; on a triad of himself, MWP and WBF; on the death of Ralph Linton on Christmas Eve. 4 pages [snippets cut from a letter] (autogr. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/1/94 WBF to ibid., 28 Dec. 1953 – hopes she had a happy Christmas at New Orleans; on delays in the mail; it is disconcerting to receive letters from her which show no evidence that she has received any of his letters; is always thinking of her; asks her to give him a date for her return; there is no reason for her to spend long periods in America; on his Christmas; Mrs Bowe has been certified; there will be no secretarial staff at the RAI after 31 Dec.; wishes she was there to act as his temporary secretary; is afraid they would never get any work done (autogr.)
/95 George O. Pratt, The Philadelphia Commercial Museum, to ibid., 7 Jan. 1954 – on paying WBF for services; asks what the rate should be (tp.); [on verso:] MWP, financial calculations; mentions selling her diamonds (autogr.; some water damage)
/96 MWP to WBF, 9 Jan. – sends a picture of Wingert; sends photograph of a mask [not held]; gives details about the mask; on her work with Leon on the classification; discusses some of the pieces; on Freddie; discusses Leon and his work; refers to a lunch party with Tim Atkeson who is her lawyer for wills; on finances; refers to the Leach review of Segy’s book; is happy at present (tp. with autogr. additions) [phot. 115785]
/1/97 WBF to MWP, 11 Jan. 1954 – thanks her for the cheque; shall put the money to work making photos and slides; refers to her Christmas card [/1/91] being like a Valentine; is delighted by the happiness evident in her letters; is dispirited by her desire not to come until Apr.; thinks the reasons for this are due to the insidious influence of America; fears that she has fallen victim to the American neurosis of ‘nobody loves me’; love is not sought, but recognition of capacity to love; on the combination in American women of sex appeal with the cult of frigidity; mentions the American fallacy that two people’s love is better than one’s; the love of several men for one woman cannot be complete; her letters suggest that her love for him is becoming overlaid by a series of ‘pseudo-lovers’; refers to the fact that she wants to stay there for six months and only come to England for a few weeks; on her job at the Brooklyn Museum; refers to Moloch and the sacrifices demanded of her men friends; asks if these are hard words; asks her to change her mind and plan a home in London; suggests she finish her job at the Brooklyn Museum then come over in Mar. and go back in Oct. for the opening of the exhibition; on Pleasants; has bought her a record of Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra as a Christmas gift; is indignant about Storrer’s attitude; is very busy with RAI business; is overhauling the filing system on Linnean principles; on other work; wishes she was there. 4 pages (autogr.)
/1/98 WBF to [MWP], 15 Jan. 1954 – refers to her letters [not held]; her contentment seems to be a function of a growing insensitivity; asks if she is trying to cure herself of loving him; could not bear her coming for two or three weeks only; this sounds querulous but he is in the best of health; discusses Siroto’s proposed visit; he shall not have much official time to spend on African art for the next year or so; on putting the Department into first-class working order; describes progress in this project; Adrian said she would hardly recognise the place; on Adrian’s policy; the question is what would Siroto do during his year there; would he be a student or a temporary member of staff; from the Museum’s point of view he would be more valuable as a staff member; on the procedure for arranging this; on the question whether the work he did would be offset by supervision etc. by permanent staff; suggests she write informally to Adrian, not giving the impression that Siroto would be a disciple of WBF’s; on the financial side of the transaction; she has mentioned that he lives well without working; her grant is not intended to cover luxurious living; in his opinion the money could be better used giving L.S, experience of Africa as well as London; describes how this might be achieved; suggests the Cameroon grasslands; reverts to the topic of whether her love for him has changed; he loves her as much as ever. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/99 Ibid., 18 Jan. – on speaking to her on the phone; perhaps she still loves him a little; hopes that nothing in his letter seemed unkind to her; hopes Leon Siroto will not think that WBF is not anxious to have him here; his suggestion that Siroto do some field work is the best way of making use of his talents and her money; it will be some months before he will be free to spend time with Siroto; hopes she will come in Mar. or Apr.; hopes she will stay at least two or three months; no flat in New York is worth the weakening of her links with this country, the BM, and him; on having a flat over here; on some Benin things he has tracked down since the Allman sale; has been taking some useful pictures; her catalogues were sent over a fortnight ago; on delays caused by letters coming by sea; asks her to use airmail paper (autogr.; some water damage)
/1/100 Ibid., 20 Jan. 1954 – on a note from her concerning RAI forms for Siroto and Wingert; has not received the letter to which it was a PS; on the date of Wingert’s arrival; mentions a friend of Wingert’s named Benedict; on the subscription rates for new Fellows; Benedict lent him the Wurtzburger catalogue; discusses some of the pieces illustrated; on three pieces from the Linton collection, illustrated in Wingert’s book; asks if Wingert is Dr or Prof. or both (autogr. with autogr. annotation by MWP; some water damage)
/101 MWP to WBF, 21 Jan. – refers to Moloch; does think him better off without her; it has been her purpose to make him believe that she is happy; thinks he should get married as he is almost 40; soon he will be 50 and will never find a wife; she wants him to have children; he has so much to contribute but she fears he will be kicked to death by grasshoppers; on Siroto; on his finances; mentions what he is working on; they have discussed WBF’s suggestions; Siroto thinks working in the Museum would be better; [some illegible]; has about finished the first phase of the job; asks about the mask she sent him a picture of; discusses Freddie; she was never more completely happy than in Switzerland; she adores him; explains why she suggested he come to America; discusses some of her other men friends; Siroto would like to take the flat at the top of WBF’s house; does not know if he could stand the bus ride or the housework; asks him to elucidate about the work in the Department; she could take a two-bedroom house or flat and put Siroto up; [some illegible]; on her finances; on getting a modern house or flat; the important part is she would not return unless she were sure of being a part of his life. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/102 WBF to [MWP], ibid. – refers to her letter of 17 Jan. [not held]; their opinions of the catalogue are pretty close; on the introduction; he has overlooked the key to the whole philosophical structure (autogr. note)
/103 MWP to WBF, post-22 Jan. – discusses pieces in the Wurtzburger catalogue[?]; mentions Benedict; few of the pieces are Klejman pieces; discusses a winged head; on Siroto; considers Benedict’s conduct unethical (autogr.); [on verso:] Jean Gordon Lee, Philadelphia Museum of Art, to MWP, 22 Jan. – on African material in the Arensberg Collection; on having lunch or dinner with her on 27 Jan (tp.)
/1/104 MWP to WBF, 25 Jan. 1954 – Wingert does not know Benedict; he is both Professor and Doctor; Wingert has been ill and so has she; mentions Bill Kemp; on Siroto; asks him to let her know when she should write to Digby; describes Siroto’s character; Adelin Linton wants to sell the collection intact; a catalogue for a show at Yale was almost complete before Linton died; discusses Adelin Linton; [some illegible] (autogr.; some water damage)
/105 MWP to WBF, 28 Jan. – sends prints of the pictures taken by Wingert; asks for his opinion in each case; Siroto went to the UM yesterday; on their Fang; [some illegible] (autogr.)
/106 Ibid., 31 Jan. – she just finished a letter to Adrian, partly about Siroto; outlines what she suggested to Adrian; discusses Siroto; hopes he will be of help to WBF in putting the Department into first-class working order; asks about Burland; on his book; on Segy’s book; also sent Adrian the review of the new show at the MMA; on the RAI getting a review copy of Radin & Sweeney; on a party going to Lipschitz’s to see his African collection; on the Heller collection; on Heller’s collection of modern art; she is coming to England on the America on its last sailing in Apr.; Mortimer approves of her plan but does not want her to stay in England too long; he dislikes her working at the Brooklyn; there are questions in her last few letters that he has not answered; asks what he wants from her, shirts or socks; [some illegible]; on her young Italian friend (tp. and autogr.; some water damage)
/107 Ibid., 8 Feb. – describes how she feels when she does not hear from him; on going to Lipschitz’s; describes some of Lipschitz’s pieces; on his own work; mentions Siroto; mentions the Stillmans; on a sale coming up at Sotheby’s; on her arrival on 29 Apr.; Weyhe never received the 50 catalogues of the Plass Collection; on a man from Life doing a job on the BM for Holiday; on her health; on Freddie. 3 pages (autogr.)
/1/108 Adrian [Digby], Keeper, Department of Ethnography, BM, to MWP, 10 Feb. 1954 – refers to her letter [not held]; mentions the MMA exhibition; he is watching the prices of Peruvian antiquities with interest; on the Brooklyn Museum African collections; mentions Freddie; is glad that WBF approves of the lines they are trying to work on in the Department; has made a start of what will be a long grind; on her ‘young Ukrainian’; does not think temporary assistance is desirable; already has a young man who will be attached to [the Department]; wonders what is the best way to help her friend; suggests a Ph.D.; suggests the Chicago Natural History Museum if she feels that museum experience is more desirable; asks if she knows Paul Martin, the head of their anthropology department; he would be pleased to write to Paul if it would be helpful, or to K.C. Murray or Prof. Lawrence; on her estate. 3 pages (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/109 MWP to [WBF], 16 Feb. – refers to looking at the Dan tribes and Fang material at the Peabody; sends Leon’s RAI form; on dining at the Sirotos’; has asked a couple of people to find her a flat in London; mentions a robbery at a museum; on a group of enthusiasts for sculpture; asks him to drop her a line soon (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/110 WBF to MWP, 20 Feb. – refers to his letter of 7 Feb. [not held] which contained his comments on her African sculpture photographs; on delays caused by insufficient postage; the late arrival of her letter [possibly /1/103] about Wurtzburger’s Benin head may have cost Klejman the sale; refers to his letter of 14 Feb. [not held] with a phallic Valentine; asks her not to show it to anyone; discusses accommodation for her in London; on Klejman’s Ife terracotta fragment; on prices; refers to something she said in her letter of 6 Feb. [not held] about not lending from her collection unless F.P. does a proper job on the rest of the exhibition; on her collection; on Helge Larsen; on her getting the Olowere bowl from Wm. Moore; mentions Altman (autogr.; some water damage; page[s] missing?)
/1/111 Ibid., 22 Feb. 1954 – what a Frankenstein monster she has developed in him over the last 7 years; on sublimation; he fears that his jokes are being received in tight-lipped silence; refers to 29 Apr.; asks her to let him know if she feels a devil within her; has started occasionally going to bed before 2 a.m.; he is still behind with work; lists various of his projects [some illegible]; refers to a ‘severe test’; encloses a photograph of a Benin bell which they have bought from Altman’s brother-in-law; has not yet seen the things for the Sotheby’s sale in May; on her bringing films with her; on her bringing him shirts; calls her Persephone; she has tasted the pomegranate seeds and must spend six months of the year here (autogr.; some water damage)
/112 Ibid., 8 Mar. – hopes this will reach her before she goes west; refers to her last letter with instructions about beds [not held]; she seemed restored to normal; her letters had been presenting an effect of confusion; refers to cultural conditioning and Newspeak; discusses his Valentine; he cannot remember what else may have been enclosed; gives the latest report on the Catalogue; refers to Siroto’s review; he must find out whether Weyhe have had theirs; on two Benin sales coming up; on an item which Nigeria will almost certainly buy; BEBF will be here; his wife is having a fourth baby in May; alludes to the matter of the Benin ram; on two ibeji at the AMNH; they are almost certainly the missing Oldman one; discusses various other artefacts; loves her (autogr.; some water damage)
/113 MWP to WBF, 11 Mar. – is enraged at his remark about her confusion of mind; on finishing off the Brooklyn job; is going to see her mother in San Francisco; on Freddie; is going to New Haven to the Linton opening; on the people she is going with; has made an appointment to see the Lemaire ibeji; Shapiro brought some other things too; suggests Siroto could rent WBF’s top flat; on going to see a play; refers to previous letters about the Bena Lulua; Heller decided against the ram; Klejman can send pictures; on a Barotse dance group; mentions Carolyn Pitts; shall cease to tell him of her daily life as he thinks her cuckoo; the Valentine never came; thinks some of her letters never reach him (autogr.; some water damage); [on verso:] Junius Bird to MWP, 9 Mar. – Dr Shapiro is reluctant to loan the ibeji figure; if WBF is interested they could have the identification of the hyena jaw verified (tp.)
/1/114 Ibid., 18 Mar. [1954?] – on the weather; discusses Junius Bird; on looking at material in the MNH; would love to get some pieces for him; discusses Leon and his visit to Europe; on having an expensive dinner with Ben and Judith Heller; on a piece Ben is buying; on the Stillmans’ flat; on Pleasants; asks what WBF means by saying the next months will be a severe test for him; the long separation has proved to her that their future as a couple is uncertain; she no longer depends on him; without marriage she does not intend to prolong the relationship indefinitely; no other man comes near her the way he does; but she has acquired a realistic outlook and there is no future in it; she is quiet, sensible and quite normal; has good friends in the States; is happier than in England; but she will always love him. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/115 Ibid., 26 Mar. – she sent his piece on Adlai to the New York Times who did not print it; on fog; mentions Siroto (autogr.; some water damage); [on verso:] E. Weyhe to MWP, 15 Mar. – on Webster Plass catalogues (tp. with autogr. note by MWP)
/116 WBF to MWP, 28 Mar. – how much he owes her for the love in his life for 7 years; his heart leaps that there is only a month until her return; is grieved about the last letter he wrote her before she went west; he did not mean that she was ‘cuckoo’; he knows she is in fine health but has doubts about her real happiness; detects a certain unease in her letters; refers to her volatile temperament; she reflects the neurosis of the life through which she passes; asks her not to withdraw herself from him nor cease to write fully; he does not hate America; refers to Catullus and Lesbia; on the date of her return to New York; he is sorry there is no letter to greet her; is sorry to have been a failure over housing; does not know where to begin; mentions Mrs R-P; he went to see 6 Charles Street but it was dowdy and unprepossessing; he wrote to Leon about lodgings (autogr.)
/117 Ibid., 29 Mar. – refers to his previous letter [/1/116]; has booked Siroto in to a place near Russell Square; gives some details; has not heard from her about Weyhe; will let her know when anything is fixed for her own accommodation (autogr. note)
/1/118 Ibid., 7 Apr. 1954 how wonderful it will be to see her again; this ought to be the happiest homecoming after such a long absence; on her being housed in the Connaught; mentions Mrs R-P; if she suggests what agents to try he could search for a flat; is looking forward to meeting Leon on Friday; hopes he will not be shocked at the lodging; on the Sotheby sale; BEBF arrived on leave a week ago; asks about Harris’ Ibo-Ibibio collection; discusses various artefacts; refers to letters going astray; asks her to write as much as she can (autogr.; some water damage)
/119 MWP to WBF, 10 Apr. – refers to her lawyer’s note [on verso]; she is in good standing; on her trust; on buying some items from Harris; tells him to ask Leon about the Bena Lulua; Shapiro did not buy any ibeji; refers to the robbery at the UM; mentions John (autogr.); [on verso:] Maurice Heckscher, Duane, Morris & Heckscher, to MWP, 9 Mar. – refers to her letter [not held]; refers to her trip to England; on making payments (tp.)
/120 Leon Siroto to MWP, ibid. – on his confusion at being in England; on WBF meeting him and taking him to dinner; on visiting the museum; on going to WBF’s home where he met Mrs Fagg and BEBF; mentions the Oldman collection; on his accommodation, which has no facilities for study; is thinking of finding somewhere else; had no chance to see the Plass collection today; shall visit the King Edward VII Galleries tomorrow; her arrival is eagerly awaited (autogr.)
/121 WBF to ibid., Good Friday [16 Apr.] – it is great news that she bought the Harris collection; it will be a fine addition to their collections from south-east Nigeria; has gone through Siroto’s list but cannot form any impressions of those not duplicated in Murray’s book; on the price she paid; Harris should be asked to write each piece up at the greatest possible length; his comments on price do not qualify hs enthusiasm for the acquisition; it is just fourteen nights until he sees her; must sublimate his concupiscence; on meeting Leon Siroto; on having meals with him; he is not very satisfied with the room and may move; his wife will be coming in a few months; so far he has been looking at photographs and occasionally at collections; has not yet made arrangements with Digby about him; wishes her bon voyage (autogr.)
/1/122 Ibid., 19 Apr. 1954 – she will have had his previous letter [/1/121]; hopes she has a delightful voyage; Siroto says she needs to rest when she comes over; on having Siroto for Easter, with BEBF and his children; likes Siroto very much; discusses his personality; on Klejman; thanks her for the shirts; will have to take a trip to the Riviera before he can wear the pink one; is looking forward to seeing the Harris collection (autogr.; some water damage)
/123 Frans Olbrechts, Koninklijk Museum van Belgisch Congo/Musée Royal du Congo Belge, to ibid., 4 June – on her suffering toothache during her stay; was sorry he could not take leave of her at the air-field; mentions the arrival of Mr & Mrs Wennberg; her Weston exposure meter was found and Mr Wennberg will bring it to the BM (tp.)
/124 WBF to MWP, 9 July – hopes she had a good voyage; refers to the catalogue piece for Freddie; encloses 1478 words of it; the deadline is 12 July; encloses contact prints from the films he took; asks her she wants enlargements; on taking Rosamond to dinner; hopes to see her [Rosamond] again when she returns (autogr.)
/125 Ibid., 21 July – on letters from her [not held]; on her depression; suggests she buy a weighing machine for her letters (autogr.; some water damage)
/126 MWP to WBF, 25 July – her cousins Clarke and Katherine Salmon are coming to London; asks him to contact them (telegram)
/127 WBF to MWP, 4 Aug. – wishes her a happy birthday; on their love, eight years old; refers to her letter [not held] which was underpaid; on photographs; mentions Fred P.; asks about the Brooklyn catalogue; on his piece for it; has been house-hunting (autogr.; some water damage)
/128 Ibid., 24 Aug. – on a letter from her [not held]; is happy because he has bought a house, 6 Galata Road, Barnes; describes it; on raising the money to buy it; shall have to do a lot of carpentry to get his 4000-5000 books in; on the Reises; is thinking of seeing her in New York (autogr.; some water damage)
/129 Ibid., 29 Aug. – on his previous letter; thinks she will not have got it before going to Maine; repeats the news about his new house; shall send her some photographs of the house; refers to Eliot and Joan; the house and thoughts of her are making him happy (autogr.; some water damage)
/1/130 Madge Barton Cannon to WBF, nd – on her son Frederick; on trips they have made; she will send him cards; asks him to send a line now and then; refers to his trip to Switzerland with MWP; on a mountain opposite her window; on the city; refers to his letter [not held]; mentions MWP. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage; first leaf missing)
/131 Ibid., nd – asks him not to tell MWP she has written to him; asks him to tell her MWP is well and happy; gives him her son’s address; she worries about her; wishes him success as Director of the museum in charge of Webster’s collection. 5 pages (autogr. notes)
/132 WBF to MWP, 11 Sept. 1954 – on his last letter; refers to comparative silence for the last two or three weeks; has not had time to write; ruminates on his love for her; on her offer to pay for his house; he could not accept (autogr.; some water damage)
/133 MWP to WBF, 23 Sept. – asks him to write to Wingert and confirm 15 Nov.; she has not had a letter for weeks and is worried (telegram)
/134 WBF to MWP, ibid. – on her cable [/1/133]; on his letters to her; 15 Nov. suited him; is becoming excited about coming to America; on booking; on Paul’s article; on Ekpo masks; on lecturing to Paul’s class; on Pleasants’ lecture; can bring slides and photographs; Segy has asked him to attend a party in his honour (autogr.; some water damage)
/135 Ibid., 2 Oct. – is sorry that she is hurt by his attitude; discusses his objection to staying officially in her flat; half of her sees the need for discretion while the other half wants to shout their love from the rooftops; the reasons for his objection are for their sakes; mentions Frances Stillman; on other options for his accommodation; is grateful to her for making the trip possible; will give Segy the brush-off; discusses Man; on some pieces which the museum has bought; mentions selling his house; hopes to move just after Christmas (autogr.; some water damage)
/136 MWP to WBF, ibid. – on Mr I. giving him lunch; on a Senufo statue; mentions Quint; on a heatwave (autogr.; water damaged); [on verso:] R. Sturgis Ingersoll to MWP, 30 Sept. – cannot arrange for WBF to lecture; would be delighted to arrange a lunch for him (tp.)
/1/137 WBF to MWP, 4 Oct. 1954 – on Elsy [Leuzinger]; on his reorganization of studies; when the job is finished he will take photographs for her; wishes she would come back with him in Dec.; then she could see him into the new house; is glad to see that the United States has acted on his warnings about McCarthy (autogr.; water damaged)
/138 New York World Telegram and Sun, 11 Oct. – ‘Surely Yanks Wouldn’t Ask Gratitude Too’ (newspaper cutting)
/139 MWP to WBF, 11 Oct. – on Freddie’s show; is listening to ‘Finlandia’; her headrest is in the show; Francis Gibbs is coming to the Private View; Leon Siroto is having WBF to dine at his flat; it is lovely planning his visit; she is drawing and painting a lot; might study art seriously if she does not go to the South Seas after Christmas; discusses this trip; asks for his comments on the enclosed [possibly /1/138]; asks about the ‘Oxford Companion’; mentions Admiral Egerton and his 3 Benin pieces; on the date of his arrival (autogr.; some water damage)
/140 MWP to WBF, post-12 Oct. – is scared of over-booking him; on his appearing on ‘What in the World?’; outlines other engagements and lists people he is going to meet; it is wonderful he is coming (autogr.); [on verso:] Geraldine [Bruckner], UM, to MWP, 12 Oct. – on going to the BM; she saw WBF; on WBF coming to New York; had suggested him as a guest on ‘What in the World?’; was sorry to have missed her in London (tp. with autogr. additions; some water damage)
/141 MWP to WBF, 18 Oct. – is broke; on Josef, who is doing some superb drawings; Kathie wants him to lecture at Bryn Mawr; on the clothes he should bring; on Hurricane Hazel; on Paul’s behaviour; Eliot is going to give him an advance on the book; he will have to work with Quint on the captions; on all the people who do not have ‘bad thoughts’ about them. 3 leaves (autogr.)
/142 Ibid., 19 Oct. – Kathie McBride said Bryn Mawr would like him to lecture on 2 or 6 Dec.; this is quite a coup; on the MMA’s 25th anniversary show; on her painting; on K.’s letter; 21 Oct. – it is the day after the private view of the Brooklyn show; encloses a couple of doodles by Joseph; discusses the drawings; had a lovely time at the private view; mentions René d’Harnoncourt and Mike Ayrton (autogr.; water damaged)
.1 Three sketches [enclosed with /1/142]
/1/142.2 ‘About Art and Artists’, article on the Brooklyn Museum show (newspaper cutting) [enclosed with /1/142]
/143 Ibid., post-20 Oct. – on staying at the Deanery as Kathy suggests; on people who will be entertaining them for meals; on his talk; is so happy he is coming; lists he guests at a dinner for him (autogr.); [on verso:] Kathy [McBride], Bryn Mawr College, to MWP, 20 Oct. – on dates for WBF’s lecture; on details; has made reservations for them at the Deanery; is glad she will be in New York for most of the winter (tp. with autogr. note by MWP)
/144 MWP to WBF, 23 Oct. – mentions Kathleen Ferrier; on her painting; Francis has pneumonia; on Freddie; on a cat coming into her bedroom; on the Bryn Mawr weekend;; she feels old but well; discusses the trip to the South Seas; on Cyril and his silence; on WBF phoning him for her; asks if he knows Freddie de Laguna; mentions Kathy McBride. 2 leaves (autogr.; some water damage)
/145 Ibid., 26 Oct. – he is booked in at the Sutton; on the details of his stay; on going to the Deanery at Bryn Mawr; on going to lunch with Sturgis Ingersoll and seeing his Arensberg Collection; on having a cocktail party and a dinner for him; on other planned social events; on her joining the Cosmopolitan Club; discusses the clothes he will need; on her dinner engagements; on Liberty’s sending a dress for Elisofon’s small girl (autogr.)
/146 Liberty & Co. Ltd. to MWP, 29 Oct. – on her order for two children’s dresses; these will be despatched to WBF at the BM (tp. with autogr.note from MWP to WBF added – he should have written; on the hotel reservation; on other plans)
/147 Ibid., post-30 Oct. – refers to the Ingersoll Saturday; thought he might go to Boston with Leon; on the little Elisofons’ dresses; on clothes he must bring (autogr.); [on verso:] Geraldine [Bruckner] to MWP, 30 Oct. – on WBF’s appearance on ‘What in the World?’; WBF would like a lot of time to poke around storerooms (tp. with autogr. note by MWP; some water damage)
/1/148 WBF to MWP, 31 Oct. 1954 – now she is poor he will love her all the more; it must be three weeks since he wrote; thanks her for not complaining; is working to clear the decks for his American journey; has all the necessary documents; sends her the visa photograph which he took when he had a heavy cold; on trouble with his visa; on moving into his new house; on the selling of his old house; on the financing of the house purchase; on the baggage allowance for his trip; is sending catalogues and will bring slides; on his hotel; on accommodation arrangements for his stay; has been to confession and communion; on the election. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/149 MWP to WBF, nd – on the election; has hidden the photo of him; has charmed the manager of the Sutton into giving him the room for $80 for the month; is happy to know that in less than a fortnight he will be there; is giving a party of 20 [Nov.]; gives his calendar to date (autogr.; some water damage)
/150 WBF to MWP, 8 Nov. – on the Sutton; when he thinks where he will be in 7 days he is so happy he can hardly put pen to paper; on the election; on his flight; on having lunch with Rosamond; nothing is going to come of it; he has no feelings about her (autogr.; some water damage)
/151 Brian Egerton to ibid., 29 Nov. – refers to her letter [not held]; does not know how she finds time to do so much; on her mother and her state of health; on the passing of Russell Grenfell; has not yet received his book which she is sending; is glad she included the piece from his father’s collection in the show; is looking forward to seeing the catalogue; asks her to send one of her watercolours; on his nephew who has come back from the States and will be living with him with his family; on the nephew’s impressions of the States; on the weather; mentions Digby; WBF is doing a lot of buying; is delighted she is all right (autogr.)
/152 WBF to ibid., 16 Dec. – this cannot be a proper[?] bread-and-butter letter; on his journey back; on sleeping late when he got home; on getting a bank loan; on Christmas cards; thanks her for the most wonderful time of his life (autogr.; some water damage)
/1/153 MWP to WBF, 19 Dec. 1954 – on the weather; on receiving some flowers which she thought were from him; they were from Stevie Simpson; everyone is saying lovely things about him; on Harland; on Josef; mentions how nice the Egerton pieces look in Brooklyn; discusses Brian Egerton; explains why she cannot write a love letter; mentions Paul; Eliot is worried that WBF will not write the essays in time (autogr.)
/154 Ibid., Christmas Day [1954], St Thomas, [British Virgin Islands] – on drummers; on seeing an iguana; is painting like mad; asks if he wants one or two of her watercolours for his new house; mentions Brian Egerton; mentions the catalogue; she sent Adrian one; is homesick for him (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/155 Ibid., post-25 Dec. – collected the stuff from Brooklyn today; on some artefacts; asks if he has finished the Elisofon pieces; does not think she can come over very soon; ‘this’ was a surprise (autogr.; water damaged); [on verso:] Cyril [Lloyd] to MWP, 25 Dec. – Christmas greetings (telegram)
/156 WBF to MWP, 28-29 Dec. – refers to her letter from the Virgins [/1/154]; he would like some of her watercolours; on his gratitude to her for making the journey possible; has never been so happy in his life; he loved America; on the relative advantages of New York and London as places for her to live; her heart is equally in both places; thinks she should spend a third of the year here; on a proposal from Sturgis that WBF go with him and his wife on a West African journey; hopes it may be possible for her to come too; discusses details; hopes she is coming over in Jan.; he wrote to Brian Egerton that they would try to visit; he left the Barnes admission card with her, for return to Miss de M[azia]; would like a photo of the North Syrian brass (autogr.; some water damage)
/2 1955-57 Margaret Plass Papers
/1 WBF to MWP, 2 Jan. 1955 – has just found the Barnes admission card; is sorry to have been positive that she had it; will write to Miss de Mazia; asks how she is; on a cold which tempered her enjoyment of the second half of their time together; hopes it will not be long before she comes over; hopes she will devote her time to him and to work in the BM; asks her to tell Eliot that he is working hard on his text; has en excellent woman at the RAI to do most of the work of Man (autogr.)
/2/2 MWP to WBF, nd – is so worked up about the possibility of a trip; is glad he found that card[?]; did some good painting in the Virgins; cannot sell the diamonds[?]; a trip seems impossible in late Jan.; wants to pay him his TV fee; should not have had the ten days in the Virgins but it was so good for her to be quiet; her cold in no way hampered[?] her enjoyment of their month together; refers to his mother; refers to hairbrush throwing; she never loses her temper except with Webster and with him; it was heaven to have him there with her; asks why he does not think marriage sensible as well as desirable for them; sees no let or hindrance save his mother; mentions people who think she should marry him; wants a serious and considered answer; has bought him some shirts for Africa (autogr.; some water damage)
/3 MWP to WBF, post-5 Jan. 1955 – refers to letter from Sturgis Ingersoll [on verso]; suggests they go to Africa on their honeymoon; on her watercolours; on dinner engagements; is not broken-hearted about Sturgis’ defection except on WBF’s account (autogr.); [on verso:] R. Sturgis Ingersoll to MWP, 5 Jan. – refers to her letter; he and Marion concluded that they must write to WBF as per the enclosed; on his disappointment; WBF is a rich human being; on St Croix (tp.)
/4 MWP to WBF, 8 Jan. – on accumulating funds for her trip; on selling two Bapendes; on other means of raising money; asks him to finish the Elisofon work; on accommodation in London[?]; on René and discussing a job for her in the new museum; they would offer WBF the directorship if he would take it; mentions a Rockefeller grant; asks him to get Nescafé for her; on the work for Eliot; mentions Bernard Ries; asks if he has considered marrying her lately. 5 pages (autogr.; water damaged]
/5 WBF to MWP, ibid. – sent her a cable telling her that Sturgis has cancelled the trip because his wife’s ears cannot tolerate flying [see MS 498/5/9]; has now written again to Sturgis suggesting a land trip at some future time; gives the itinerary for such a trip; Marion had suggested that Sturgis go without her but he was unwilling; possibly WBF;s suggestion will enable them both to go; it would be lovely if she could come too; she would love it more than the South Seas; asks what she thinks of Marion Ingersoll; on the Ayrtons; they are preparing a party for when she comes over; asks when that will be; on her transparent envelopes; has not finished the first essay for Eliot; hopes to post it next week; mentions McCarthyism; on political factions (autogr.)
/2/6 MWP to WBF, 15 Jan. 1955 – asks if he wants her to bring over the two Ibo masks; asks if she should bring the Polaroid camera; on a show she saw; the sets were by Oliver Messel; on hotels; mentions Paul Wingert; mentions Eliot; asks when WBF will come back to New York (autogr.; water damaged)
/7 Ibid., 18 Jan. – mentions Nelson’s symposium; tells him to bring dress shirts; on his ticket; mentions Francis; on WBF’s hotel; on social engagements; draws the title page of ‘African Tribal Sculpture’; has numbered things differently; on Biebuyck and Frans; on her conversion; lists the clothes he should bring; discusses the catalogue (autogr.; some water damage)
/8 Ibid., 20 Jan.[?] – on a trip; discusses his moving into his new house (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/9 R. Wild, Royal Court Hotel, London, to MWP, 22 Jan. – on a reservation for her; discusses rates (tp. with autogr. note from MWP to WBF[?]; water damaged)
/10 WBF to ibid., 24 Jan. – refers to her last letter which seemed happy; he is full of joy at the thought of seeing her in three and a half weeks; on his house move; his mother is staying in the old house for a couple of months; he and MWP will have a certain amount of freedom during her time here; the houses round his new house are like a village community where everyone knows each other; hopes she will visit him in the evenings; on the Royal Court; was horrified that his text for Eliot only reached him on 20 Jan.; with luck he might finish the first section tonight; the house purchase has been taking up time; asks if he should send the text to her to type; asks her to tell Eliot he is doing his best; mentions Sturgis; on her mother; has never loved her as much as he does now; on bringing four pieces from the collection with her (autogr.)
/11 MWP to WBF, post-24 Jan. – on going out to dinner with Louis and Dickie Hyde; mentions this ‘LIFE of Eliot’s’; has not had a letter for ages; wonders if he does not want her to come over (autogr.;) Nanette Offray, Secretary to Richard de Rochemont, 24 Jan. – Mr de Rochemont sends the attached article with compliments (tp.)
/2/12 Ibid., 27 Jan. 1955 – on the weather; mentions Phil Singleton dropping in; lists people from whom she has had letters; is listening to Berlioz; on going to a concert of Beethoven; on dining at the Russian Tea Rooms; on Phil Singleton; on Stevie Simpson; mentions Francis, who has been ill; discusses her painting; is wonderfully happy; if he would marry her everything would be perfect; she will not marry anyone else, not even Francis; has not heard from the Royal Court; Louis and Dickie Hyde took her to dinner; [illegible]; on photographs; discusses the ‘poor Czech’; mentions Vincenzo. 6 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/13 Ibid., 29 Jan. – on money; on people she has seen; on Carlebach; says she has no other news; asks for a 40,000 years catalogue for Klejman; on Lipschitz; is very happy; refers to him marrying her; on Francis (autogr.; some water damage; leaves missing?)
/14 […?] to MWP, 31 Jan. – illegible (autogr.; water damaged)
/15 WBF to MWP, 2 Feb. – on his move; is longing for her arrival; on insuring her ‘special properties’; on arrangements for her first night in London; if she arrives at his house after dark perhaps she could stay the night; mentions his bill at the Sutton; on his slide of the Harris piece; on two parcels of clothing; on money; has still not finished the first essay for Eliot; it should be ready by the weekend (autogr.; some water damage)
/16 MWP to WBF, 3 Feb.[?] – Mortimer has persuaded her to stay at the Connaught; asks him to ring to check the reservation is made; Howard has had a stroke; on Dickie de R.; on social engagements; has the watercolours already for Egerton and for him; on his meeting her; had a letter from her mother (autogr.; some water damage)
/17 BEBF to Lilian Fagg, 4 Feb. – on the Commission; it was hard work; discusses some of the events of the Commission; asks her to thank WBF for sending him the catalogue; on Dr Leuzinger and Miss Tschudi who have proved rather an embarrassment; discusses them and their behaviour (autogr.)
/2/18 WBF to MWP, 4 Feb. 1955 – it is possible that he will not be able to meet her on 17 [Feb.]; there is an RAI committee meeting on that afternoon; he cannot change the date; explains the business of the meeting; after the meeting there is a lecture and a dinner which he could cut; will make every effort to meet her; a meeting of the Committee for Anthropology in Industry has been postponed from 2 Feb. to 18 Feb.; this is the only day Sieff can manage; there is a danger of developments unfavourable to the RAI arising; shall have to look into this further; wants her to be happy while in England (autogr.; some water damage)
/19 MWP to WBF, 5 Feb. – hopes for a cheque before she sails on Thursday; on money; on her arrival time; does not think he needs a pass from Biddle; had a letter from Brian saying he had written to WBF but not had an answer (autogr.; some water damage)
/20 WBF to MWP, 6 Feb. – wishes her a bon voyage; refers to his last letter [/2/18]; is resolved to move heaven and earth to meet her on 17 [Feb.]; on lunch with John and Bryz.; has been copying out the central portion of his first essay for Eliot; asks her to reassure Eliot; on trouble with his boiler; asks her to be his Valentine (autogr.)
/21 MWP to WBF, 8 Feb. – refers to his cable [not held]; on Eliot; understands about the meeting business; if he cannot meet her she will proceed direct to the Connaught; he can come to the hotel directly after his meeting; on the dinner with Sieff; on wasting time together doing the captions; looks forward to working with him at the BM; refers to dining with Swan, Managing Director of Parke, Bernet; refers to her Whitman manuscript; on arrangements for visits at the weekends; on his mother’s dressing gown; fears it is too small; on Francis; was going to Katherine Cornell’s opening in ‘The Dark is Light Enough’ but it has been postponed; on seeing ‘The Women’ (autogr.)
/22 Ibid., 9 Feb. – refers to his letter of bon voyage [/2/20]; has a suite; is bringing 3 packing cases for the BM; René is going to give her a nice job at his museum; he would like WBF for Director; on Mr Swan; understands if he cannot meet her; on bringing a Papermate pen for Adrian; is feeling fine (autogr.)
/2/23 BEBF to Lilian Fagg, 10 Feb. 1955 – is recovering from the effects of the Antiquities Commission; thanks her for looking after Angela; is glad she and WBF met Sister Mary Winifrede; is checking the accuracy of the minutes of the conference before sending them to Kenneth Murray; he himself is not a member of the Commission; there is soon to be a vacancy in the Northern delegation and he is thinking of putting himself forward; the Meeting was a great success; is trying to write a policy statement to send to David Williams of West Africa; sent photos and notes to the Nigerian Daily Times; the Commission expects him to get publicity; he thinks the best publicity is the museums; on Mercedes Mackay; she is going to write a profile of him for West Africa; on Sister Mary W. knowing the Tillotsons; refers to her staying at 275 [Church Road] while WBF is at Barnes (autogr.)
/24 Lamine Toure to Mr & Mrs Plass, 25 Feb. – is happy to give them some news; it has been a long time; thanks them for their welcome when he came to London with Madeleine Rousseau in 1949; he had a lot of difficulties when he returned to Africa; is now settled at the Institut Français d’Afrique Noire at Dakar; on his work there; on the ethnographic collection; he is at their disposition for all that interests them in Africa; hopes they have made an interesting collection; asks them to give his regards to Mme Painerose[?]; asks them to give his regards to Mr Underwood and WBF; remembers his trip to London as if it were yesterday; attaches a photograph [not held] (tp. and autogr.; in French)
/25 MWP to WBF, 27 [Feb.] – asks him about taking a seminar on African art in Feb. 1956; the Plass Foundation would underwrite him; on lending pieces from the Plass Collection; mentions Oberlin College; outlines the proposed programme; Kenneth Clark and Herbie Read have given previous seminars; Geraldine [Bruckner] would also like to book him; they had a happy time together; misses him but will be over in Aug. or Sept.; on Leon S. 4 pages (autogr.; water damaged)
/26 Ibid., post-4 Mar. – on things she is sending him[?] (autogr.; some water damage); [on verso:] R. Sturgis Ingersoll to MWP, 4 Mar. – mentions the Connaught Hotel; on the Derain sale (tp.)
/2/27 WBF to MWP, 17 Mar. 1955 – thanks her for coming over to see him; on the visit; is glad she will be over again in July; is now ready to write the Sudan piece; on getting in touch with du Sautoy; wants Eliot to realise that he is taking the thing seriously; on subscription to the New Yorker (autogr.; some water damage)
/28 MWP to WBF, 21 Mar. – on going down on the boat train; on her suite; thinks they are happier and happier in each other’s company; on his losing a few pounds. 4 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/29 John […?] to MWP, 25 Mar. – on her giving him a sweater and tie; refers to the African Ceremonial Bowl (tp. with autogr. additions by MWP; water damaged)
/30 MWP to WBF, 30 Mar. – refers to his fall; on household things she has sent him; mentions an income tax bill; on a lamp shade; on her next visit in Aug. or Sept. (autogr.; some water damage)
/31 Ibid., 2 Apr. – he did not enclose the New Yorker statement or René’s secretary’s lettr; misses him; on a concert she went to; on people who were with her before the concert; Dick does not like Mike’s[?] bronze; asks him to let her know soon about Oberlin; on the weather; on Francis and Malvina [Hoffman]; hopes she will [sculpt] his head and his hands; on people she is dining with; on eating in two new French restaurants; on Frank Wright, the head of Radio Free Europe. 4 pages (autogr.)
/32 WBF to MWP, Easter Monday [11 Apr.] – refers to his letter of 17 Mar. [/2/27]; she is in his thoughts this Easter; the house is full of evidences of her; explains the lapse of a fortnight since he wrote; has been busy with correspondence concerning the next President of the RAI; on the Oberlin College invitation; hopes she has not given them an exaggerated idea of his capacities as an aesthetician; would be delighted to receive a formal invitation; on obtaining leave for a six-week trip; thanks her for the furnishings she sent; on buying some furniture from a neighbour; life is wonderful (autogr.)
/2/33 MWP to WBF, recd. 13 Apr. 1955 – is hurt that he has not written about the Oberlin seminar; had a happy Easter at the Hydes but has been ill; is dining with Dickie de R. tomorrow and going to ‘The Dark is Light Enough’; is having people over afterwards for champagne and chicken sandwiches; on going to Philadelphia; will be in Maine for June and part of July; he is uninterested in seeing her in London this summer; asks what the matter is; asks for a reprint of the piece on the Plass Collection from the West African News [MS 497/11/60] and Webster’s obituary from Man [MS 497/11/196]; hopes he will not fall downstairs again; on a picture of her in the Bryn Mawr Alumnae News; Malvina [Hoffman] is going to sculpt Francis’ head; asks him to write; asks why he does not love her any more. 2 leaves (autogr.; some water damage;) [on verso of leaf 1:] Charles Parkhurst, Oberlin College, to MWP, 6 Apr. – on visiting her with Miss Hamilton on 25 Mar.; on his African art exhibition scheduled for Feb. 1956; thanks her for securing the help of WBF; has written to WBF [see MS 498/5/100]; thanks her for the offer of lending some pieces; on the student body at Oberlin (tp.)
/34 WBF to MWP, 13 Apr. – has looked up Ohio in the Times Atlas; had not realized Oberlin was so near Lake Erie; on plans for the trip; on his distant relative Kenneth S. Fagg at Chappaqua; asks if she knows of the place; asks why she has postponed her trip from July to Aug. or Sept.; asks her to change her mind and come in July; six-month absences are very bad for him; on Adrian’s absence from 25 Apr.; on the Harris pieces; checks that they are to be an outright gift (autogr.)
/35 MWP to WBF, 14 Apr. – apologises for her last letter [/2/33]; had had a bad time about her mother; her stepbrother was arrested for drunk driving and phoned her asking for money; family holidays get her down; she also had a mild heart attack; on other problems; things are better now; on the plan for Oberlin; on the pay; asks about the $50 from the Commercial Museum; on the furnishings for his house; on lamps; on curtains; on reprints which she needs; will loan some Plass pieces to Oberlin; by next Feb. the Plass Collection will be integrated with the permanent collection and he will know what he can spare; on René; on making other engagements for him [WBF]; on having Dick de Rochemont for dinner and theatre; refers again to champagne and chicken sandwiches; on Kathy and Francis; thanks him for the Neville Cardus piece; is sorry she went off again but the good periods are much longer now. 3 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/36 WBF to MWP, 15 Apr. 1955 – has received her letter [/2/33] complaining of his silence; is sorry that this hurt her; refers to his letter of last Monday [/2/32]; if only she could know his thoughts; she might have known that if he did not write it was not due to diminution of love; it is eight years almost to the day since she flung herself at him and he gingerly caught her; explains reasons for the delay of a week before he replied to the Oberlin proposal; he has an impression that she had talked Parkhurst into it; wondered if the offer was ‘written in gin’; now the letter she encloses makes it clear that he [Parkhurst] is serious; will wait for Parkhurst’s letter before reporting the invitation to Adrian and the Trustees; it was decided to invite Raglan to be the new President [of the RAI] (autogr.; some water damage)
/37 MWP to WBF, 16 Apr. – asks him to let her know if the letter from Oberlin [see MS 498/5/100] has arrived; on paid lectures in Chicago and possibly Buffalo; on lecturing elsewhere; asks if he is also going to the Congress; she has not been awfully well; on Francis; on her garden; on her cook; asks him to get on with the book (autogr.; some water damage)
/38 WBF to MWP, 20 Apr. – is glad she is feeling better; on her brief depression; hopes she is finding life wonderful again, for it is wonderful; refers to her ‘querulous’ letter of last week [cross ref.]; Parkhurst’s letter [ 498/5/100] arrived this morning; the invitation is an attractive one; he acknowledged the letter and put it on Adrian’s desk; has not yet heard his reaction; on the fee; has not had anything from the Commercial Museum; on his mother making net curtains; on Muensterberger’s book (autogr.; some water damage)
/39 Ibid., 25 Apr. – Adrian forwarded his application and Parkhurst’s letter to Kendrick; on leave for the trip; is authorized to accept the invitation; on the boxes which have reached port; on duty; on her signing forms; it would complicate matters if she referred to the masks as being for the BM; should treat them as furnishings for her flat; asks her to come in June or July (autogr.; some water damage)
/40 MWP to WBF, 30 Apr. – mentions the British Consulate General; is mailing the clothes to his mother (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/41 Ibid., 2 May – refers to her last letter [/2/40]; on her health; on coming to London. 3 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/2/42 WBF to MWP, 3 May 1955 – on Paul Wingert; sees that she is suffering; if only they were in the same place; asks her not to hesitate to write, even in difficult times; on music and records; thanks her for being prompt with the Customs forms; mentions Eliot (autogr.; some water damage; some cut off)
/43 MWP to WBF, 9 May – begs him to finish Eliot’s piece; will write to Bryn Mawr to send him ‘that lecture’; is feeling harassed; on a club she belongs to; on Dick de R.; some of her friends are not good for her; on a service flat; Joe […?] came out Friday evening; thanks him for the cuttings; Francis told her she should have stayed in London; asks if he has written to Charles Parkhurst (autogr.)
.1 Eliot [Elisofon] to [MWP], nd – there has been no manuscript from WBF; thinks they will lose the chance of publication this year, if not the cancellation of the contract (tp.; snippet cut from a letter; enclosed with /2/43]
/44 Mike […?] to MWP [‘Aunt Margaret’], 9 May – refers to her letter [not held]; on Sophie; they are going to have a Russian service; on Sophie’s family; on the African present (autogr.)
/44a Sophie & Mike to ‘Aunt Margaret’, 10 Nov. [?year] – 9 Feb. is the most convenient date; official invitations should go out; it is a good time; Harvard will show its ignorance; after the lecture is over there will be dinner; describes how life is hectic; are probably coming to New York for Thanksgiving; on her other returning (autogr.) with note from MWP to WBF – is glad he is going to speak at Harvard (autogr.)
/45 MWP to WBF, 12 May – is excited about the Oberlin seminar; they are also having an exhibition; on her travel plans; on Mike’s wedding on 4 June; encloses his note [/2/44]; is not giving him anything African (autogr.); [on verso:] Charles Parkhurst to MWP, 9 May – on having some of her things; on travel arrangements to Oberlin; would be glad o research books on African art for the library; on the installation (tp. with autogr. additions by MWP)
/2/46 Ibid., 21 May 1955 – Siroto has his introduction to Eliot’s book; is having it photostatted; asks if he has posted[?] the Sudan; Eliot cannot be published for Christmas; on his book ‘The Arts of Indian Asia’; is working awfully hard; is writing her will; after Oberlin shall give the Plass Collection to the BM; refers to her preoccupation with death; sends a letter [not held] from Mel; asks him to return it; on plans for their trip (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/47 Ibid., nd – mentions sending his mother some clothes; on her social engagements; she must write to Beth Harman who is ill (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/48 WBF to MWP, 22 May – apart from an envelope of cuttings he has not written for over a fortnight; asks her to forgive him; he has had a nasty type of cold; Helen Muller’s dresses arrived when his mother was at Barnes; none of them fit her; on the Customs not releasing the furnishings until she arrives in the country; on his last letter being overweight; hopes she will send some copies of the Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin; May & Baker are doing a series of three reproductions of African ivories for advertisement; has sent Quint a revised version of the map; it has been difficult to make progress with the Sudan; has been going through the most strenuous part of the RAI session; has his heart in it (autogr.; some water damage)
/49 MWP to WBF, 26 May – mentions Tim Atkeson; on the envelope of cuttings; Fro Rainey wants him on ‘What in the World?’ in Feb. and also for a lecture; on a temporary exhibition of African sculpture next year; discusses Eliot; is very disappointed about Helen’s clothes; two of the dresses could have been made over for Angela; discusses the reasons for his mother’s gaining weight; on food being a substitute for the emotions; includes a sketch; on the photograph in the Alumnae Quarterly; on his health; he would be cured of allergies if he married her; asks if he thinks he would like being married to her (autogr.; some water damage)
/50 Ibid., nd – refers to his letter of 22 May [/2/48]; mentions Francis; gives the addresses of places where she will be staying[?] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/2/51 WBF to MWP, 1955 [day and month illegible] – refers to her letter; on her feeling well and happy; on his health; on the curiously persistent cold he had; his mother is pleased with the dresses; she has adapted two of them to fit her; another of the dresses is too old for Angela; his mother is outsize but not exceptionally large; on her weight; on selling their old house; is making progress with the Sudan; asks what her authority is for saying it is too late for publication this year; has heard nothing from the Commercial Museum; on the election (autogr.; water damaged)
/52 MWP to WBF, [1 June] – refers to an article in the New Yorker about Philip Price Sharples; has an ineffable sense of well-being; on his health; hopes he is riding his bike to the BM; on his election predictions; Becky Reis is giving a party; mentions Leon and Eliot; on her dreams; on a lunch she had; on the weather; 2 Sept. is definite as a sailing date; asks about Eliot’s book; on Mike and S[ophie]; Francis and Malvina [Hoffman] are getting honorary degrees at Bowdoin; she is broke; on the presidential campaign. 4 leaves (autogr.; water damaged)
/53 Ibid., 11 June – [illegible due to water damage] (autogr.)
/54 Newsweek, 13 June – ‘A Mother’s Campaign’ (newspaper cutting on Wynne Sharples)
/55 MWP to WBF, 15 June – on the Oberlin Inn, where they will be staying in Feb.; on going to Herskovits’ house; on the people she met at Oberlin; she discussed her two lectures; on lectures WBF is to give (autogr. on the back of a paper table mat)
/56 Ibid., 21 June [1955 as per postmark] – [illegible due to water damage] (autogr.)
/57 Ibid., 24 June – Fro wrote to her about an African Art show late this winter; she wrote back that she thought it a silly idea; explains her reasons[?]; shall be delighted to help; encloses data on the ‘Curse of the House of Sharples’ [perhaps see /2/54]; wishes he was here; on her cook; went to Susie Klejman’s Commencement at Hunter College; asks him to write; asks about Eliot’s manuscript; on Francis; on her cousins sailing on the United States; she arrives 7 Sept.; suggests they stay the night in Southampton; he is the epicentre of her existence. 3 pages (autogr.); [on verso:] Froelich Rainey, Director, UM, to MWP, 23 June – on her idea for the African show; outlines his plans; mentions Siroto (tp.)
/2/58 WBF to MWP, 27-28 June 1955 – is glad she had a good time on her travels; Henry Moore was made a Companion of Honour; is delighted that she will be at Park West; encloses some cuttings; discusses Dulles; she must stop sticking pins into wax figures of the Sharples family; refers to her letter about Carlebach and the little head; on the negotiations to acquire it; suggest she write a formal letter to the Museum; mentions Eliot’s piece (autogr.; some water damage)
/59 Ibid., 4 July – reaffirms his fealty to his American Queen; on staying overnight in Southampton on 7 Sept.; on his thumbnails; on his weight; must get a bicycle soon; has no intention of ‘slimming’; encloses a self-portrait taken in the pleasance in the garden at Norwood; the pleasance might be called Fagg’s Folly; has not yet asked Adrian about the plaque exchange; on Leon’s second batch of captions (autogr.; some water damage)
/60 MWP to WBF, 14 July – she has the head; on Carlebach; Fro is coming on Sunday; he regrets that they did not get the Plass Collection; Paul has blotted his copy book; asks if she should use the Fagg system in the Plass catalogue; thinks she will get Sturgis to give up his hornblower; will try to make this museum’s African collection worthy of her BM training; on the weather. 4 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/61 WBF to MWP, 15 July – Adrian was delighted to agree to the proposed transaction; Adrian would like a letter from her stating the facts; he [WBF] knows that she would want the Museum’s concurrence before disposing of pieces published in the catalogue; on the exchange; he had dinner with John; mentions Paul; sends more prints of him and the pleasance (autogr.)
/62 Ibid., 29 July – on the inhabitants of Park West; explains that he has not written because he has been dealing with a plague of ants; on Jehovah’s Witnesses; mentions Carlebach; on Adrian’s letter to her; does not think she should part with any of the Harris pieces; thinks that collectors should only dispose of substandard pieces; on the Geneva Conference; discusses Eisenhower; on the Russians; on polio; on th difference between the American and the British ways of life; he loves America and a certain American girl (autogr.; some water damage)
/63 Ibid., 2 Aug.; – sends the Tarrytown prints; on meeting in 5 weeks’ time; on the Salmons; on the Times; discusses Paul (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/64 Wesley [Dingee?] to MWP, nd – was sorry that she could not see him on Tuesday; he will put himself at her mercy; will fill the void if time permits (autogr.); MWP to [WBF], nd – she sold some diamonds to this man; he took her to dinner; discusses him; on other men who would fill the void[?]; has a date with Francis on her birthday (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/65 MWP to [WBF], 8 Aug. 1955 – on the Tarrytown pictures; mentions Cyril; refers to her birthday and the anniversary of Webster’s death; on having a migraine; mentions Lamine, Rosemary Stoloff, Mrs Rose-Price, Rainey and Paul Wingert. 4 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/66 Virginia Service, Oberlin College Forum Board, to MWP, 9 Aug. – encloses correspondence with WBF [MS 498/5/154 & MS 498/5/170]; WBF has suggested she contact MWP about further developments in working out a definite forum; asks if she can see her; MWP to [WBF], nd – is having this girl to dinner; mentions Junius Bird; on the Forum; asks him to write; he is being casual about her; mentions Rainey; on Hurricane Connie; has eaten out five nights in a row; must think about slimming; on Francis (autogr.; water damaged)
/67 WBF to MWP, 11 Aug. – on missing writing to her for her birthday; does not naturally think of birthdays; they are superficial compared with the facts of her existence and their love; thus it is love which makes him forget birthdays; refers to Webster’s anniversary; she has shown herself worthy of him in the past two years; describes how difficult it is to get anything done; once they are fully installed in the new house things will be different; on selecting a new secretary for the RAI; mentions William Francis; on their meeting on 7 [Sept.]; refers to Mrs R-P and PW (autogr.; water damaged)
/68 MWP to WBF, 13 Aug. – on Virginia Service and Susan Colby (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/69 ‘Speaking of Weather, Everybody’s Doing It’ (newspaper cutting, on Hurricane Connie)
/70 ‘Hurricane Hits Carolina, Aims at Washington’ (newspaper cutting, on Hurricane Connie)
/2/71 WBF to MWP, 16 Aug. 1955 – returned to Barnes after three days at Norwood to find two letters from her; is replying at once; she might as well continue to write to Barnes; is working on sorting out his books; on the completion of his house sale; includes a sketch of his bedroom; refers to her pictures; on a party she is planning; Michael ought to be grateful; on Michael appearing of a radio quiz show about music; is sorry about Praeger and Eliot; has had to switch to the ‘Oxford Companion’ which has a prior claim; is glad she met Virginia Service; on the Oberlin project; has been arranging part of the Plass Collection (autogr.; some water damage)
/72 MWP to WBF, 20 Aug. – he should not have written that he had a bone to pick with her; she will brood; has not had a word from Carlebach; on Sweeney and his new book; refers to the evening of 7 Sept.; on guests for a dinner; is crushed by the Praeger business; Praeger has to have the stuff immediately or it will not be published next year; he is ‘damned bad’ at planning; does not see why his Mother cannot deal with the house problem; Francis is sad at the death of his Chief Engineer; he [WBF] will have to take more time in America at the time of the Seminars; places which want him to lecture; will be sailing two weeks from yesterday; on Puss and Clarke (tp. with autogr. additions; some water damage)
/73 Ibid., 21 Aug. – on Parker pens[?] 4 pages (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
[No number 74]
/75 WBF to MWP, 24 Aug. – on going to Barnes tomorrow; looks forward to a welcome [i.e. a letter]; completion date on the house will not be later than 14 Sept.; has had a strenuous time going through the books; the purchaser does not want their unwanted furniture; on her boxes at Royal Victoria Docks; is going to reread her letters from the past six weeks; on arrangements for 7 Sept.; on Park West and a flat; on flood damage in New York (autogr.; some water damage)
/76 MWP to WBF, [25 Aug.] – two weeks yesterday she will meet him; on the situation in California; on pieces which she will bring with her; includes drawings; (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/77 Ibid., 27 Aug. – [mostly illegible due to water damage] (autogr.)
/2/78 WBF to MWP, 28 Aug. 1955 – this must be nearly his last letter before she leaves; wishes her a prosperous voyage; his thoughts will be with her; refers to her brooding over his picking a bone with her; it concerns Charles François; on a jest he made; is packing up books today; hopes to have left Norwood altogether before he leaves for Southampton; when they meet, she will be more wonderful than he imagines her (autogr.; some water damage)
/79 MWP to WBF, 29 Aug. – thanks him for writing in the midst of the details of moving; wishes she could have been there to help; on arrangements at Park West; mentions ‘the Salmon’; mentions Clarke Stillman coming back from the Congo and Brussels with some fine stuff; itemizes this stuff; mentions Carlebach; on Brucie and Beth; on her work at the UM; mentions Bill Kemp, Mortimer, Francis and Cyril; discusses Paul (tp. with autogr. additions; some water damage)
/80 WBF to MWP, 7 Oct. – on the happiness of being with her in the last few weeks; is grateful to her for coming; hopes she will decide to spend three months in England from next June; on his making a financial contribution to their joint pleasures; refers to the ever-normal granary principle; suggests she write post-dated cheques for bills; on her letting her flat; is beginning to dwell on their next meeting; refers to approaching the Fulbright for his passage; on dates for their grand tour of the Midwest (autogr.; some water damage)
/81 Ibid., 20 Oct. – refers to her letter; it is wonderful that she has taken steps towards becoming a Catholic; has not written for ten days because his life has been complicated by attacks from social anthropologists upon his conduct of Man; is very busy; may have time to do a bit on the ‘Oxford Companion’ and Eliot’s book; shall not get far with work on the books in the house; the business with Man has made him decide to give up the Hon. Secretaryship, not later than June; expects to keep Man and get it up to date by June; asks her not to tell anyone that he is going to resign the secretaryship; on the attacks on him; suggests a book by Pierre Verger which she could show to her American-Brazilian; on an article of his own which has a note on ‘Brazilian’ masks; mentions Joe Brew (autogr.; some water damage)
/82 MWP to WBF, 22 Oct. – on organizing a show with Fro[?]; on the catalogue; agrees about coming to London mid-May to mid-Aug.; will get a flat; Francis is ill; it would relieve her if he would finish the Eliot work (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/2/83 WBF to MWP, 23 Oct. 1955 – encloses fair copy of the unfinished piece on the Sudan; hops it will be some slight solace to Eliot and Praeger; gives her a message for Leon; hopes she is having a good time working with Leon; Mel wrote asking if he could talk at NW on 13 Feb. and go to Oberlin with him on 14 Feb.; thinks of her all the time (autogr.; some water damage)
/84 MWP to WBF, 2 Nov. [1955?] – on a date with René; on other people she will be seeing; on going to Mass; she will be accepted into the Church next week; the Liturgical Arts Society will have a show entitled ‘Christian Influences in Tribal Sculpture in Africa’; on a letter from Sir Thomas Kendrick; on Fro Rainey; discusses Leon and René further; would love to write him a love letter but is in a rush of work (tp. with autogr. additions; some water damage)
/85 List of artefacts organized by tribe, headed ‘For U.M. Show’. 6 leaves (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP; water damaged)
/86 MWP to WBF, 4 Nov. – on his dictated letter; wishes she could help him in the RAI business; on a letter from Mel; he suggest they spend four days in and around Chicago; on borrowing material for the UM show; Mel wants him to talk on African art; had a long talk with Father John LaFarge; on her baptism; on arrangements for being received into the Church; gives more details about Father LaFarge; she is distantly related to him; does not know why he doubted that she would go through with her plans; on Ratton; asks if Margret Bennet-Clark is a Catholic; on Paul W. (tp. with autogr. additions)
/87 Card commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the ordination of Father John LaFarge (printed)
/88 WBF to MWP, 6 Nov. – on her happiness; nothing would make him happier than to hear that she may be a Catholic by the time she receives this; hopes she will let him know when the moment of transmutation is to be; had no idea that she would manage it so fast; Father LaFarge must be an able instructor; on a showdown with the Association of Social Anthropologists; Leach and his deputation came with the object of unseating WBF from Man; discusses this issue in detail; has told the Council of his wish to retire from the Secretaryship; mentions thinking of titles for books of a type which he would never write; suggests ‘Strumpet Voluntary’ (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/89 MWP to WBF, 10 Nov. 1955 – encloses a folder about the Liturgical Arts Society; on Sweeney and Father LaFarge; thanks him for the piece on Henry’s show; will let him know the date and hour of her transmutation; it is a joy to her to belong; on a letter from Carl, who cannot loan outside of Denmark; on Cockin and his ram’s head; discusses John M.; it is grand about his routing of the Leach-Ford gang at the RAI (tp. with autogr. additions; some water damage)
/90 Ibid., 11 Nov. – is spending a lot on air mail postage so is using an air letter; on Carlebach and his Ekoi head; on a United Nations lunch party; discusses some of the guests; on reports in the Times; on Francis, who is interested in becoming a Catholic too; on dining with the Elisofons; on an English girl named Drusilla; mentions Evelyn Irons of the Evening Standard; on ‘Strumpet Voluntary’; is well and happy, and working hard on the correspondence to do with the show; includes a sketch of a head with description (tp. with autogr. additions; some water damage)
/91 Ibid., 17 Nov. – refers to sending him a paper doyly from Oberlin [/2/55]; stayed at the Penn Sherwood; on Fro; on Siroto; mentions Leach; on Freddie P. 3 pages (autogr.; p. 1 a paper doyly; much illegible due to water damage)
/92 Ibid., 19 Nov. – on Adlai and Chester Bowles; on going to the theatre with Francis; on plans for Christmas (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/93 Cynthia […?] to MWP, 25 Nov. – sends a hanky for Christmas; would like her to marry WBF; on Lance, who is growing old; on plans for Christmas; on her garden; mentions her pictures; on the goodness of MWP’s character; she misses her; William has got into Pangbourne Naval Training College; she is going to give him Campbell’s sword when he goes to sea; is going on a visit to Southern Rhodesia. 2 leaves (autogr. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/2/94 WBF to MWP, 27 Nov. 1955 – it is over three weeks since he last wrote; is sorry but his efforts to reduce his responsibilities before going to America is squeezing everything else out; he has been made Deputy Keeper; on a visit by Nelson Rockefeller and his wife, and René; he [WBF] arranged for them to see the Fuller Collection; Nelson had a wonderful time; it is not impossible that he will manage to buy the collection; Weinhagen sent the Ibibio figure a fortnight ago, saying MWP wished Langton to repair it; on the cost of this repair; on a collection of goldweights for his opinion as to disposal; does not think Adrian would be enthusiastic about buying them; asks if she would like to buy them; on the price (autogr.; some water damage)
/95 MWP to WBF, 1 Dec. – she knows he said he would not have time to write but asks him to send even an empty envelope so she knows he is alive; Eliot is very panicky; has sent the pieces to Oberlin; on Klejman; Charles has not written; dined at Siroto’s last night; on Lemaire; on a three-day Thanksgiving visit to Washington; on segregation in schools; discusses this issue in some detail; on Father LaFarge; Malvina Hoffman’s husband died; on Francis; asks if the Dogon and Senufo things have arrived; his letter [/2/94] just arrived; how marvelous that he is now Deputy Keeper; she wants the goldweights; on Leon and Paul; she also got a letter from Charles; quotes from it; he will send a portfolio of photos; on WBF speaking at Cleveland; has promoted[?] ‘What in the World?’; is thrilled that he liked Nelson (tp. with autogr. additions)
/96 Ibid., 3 Dec. – refers to WBF’s letter [not held] to Father LaFarge; is sending him Father LaFarge’s new book on African music; will also get one for the RAI; on her being received into the Church; on the goldweight deal; looked at some African things at Malvina [Hoffman]’s dealer’s; describes some of the things; Duveen wants her to give a lecture at his gallery; on people she has met; asks for another ten copies of the Plass catalogue; asks if Charles Parkhurst has written him another invitation so he can ask for the Fulbright grant; no word from Eliot; knows he [WBF] is doing his best to finish Eliot’s book by Christmas; Francis just arrived for lunch; Joan Elisofon is en route, bringing the script of Joyce Cary’s ‘Mr Johnson’; in two months he will be there; wishes he was not so harassed (tp. and autogr.)
/2/97 George K. Hunton, Catholic Interracial Council, to MWP, 9 Dec. 1955 – was happy to meet her at Fr. LaFarge’s; encloses some pamphlets (tp.); MWP to WBF, nd – on her Christmas card envelopes; mentions George Hunton; on people she met; is going to a party given by Cardinal Spellman; on using the term ‘Afro-American’ rather than ‘coloured’; on the weather; she is very happy; is glad he is a Deputy Keeper (autogr.)
/98 MWP to WBF, nd – is worried lest [becoming] a Catholic may change her love for him; on Maurice Lavanoux; on a party for Father LaFarge; mentions Albert Duveen and his wife; on troubles with her mother and other family[?]; on a dinner party; asks if anyone from here has written to congratulate him on being made Deputy Keeper; dined at Stillmans’ (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/99 Ibid., 14 Dec. – on her being received into the Church before Christmas; on Maurice [Lavanoux]; on a dinner; is feeling very well; asks if she got the goldweights (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/100 WBF to MWP, 16 Dec. – this is a hurried Christmas letter; he has left her a fortnight without news of him; hopes she will forgive him as she knows how busy he is; on the ‘liquidation’ of his job as RAI Hon. Secretary; his nominee for his replacement is MWS; asks her not to tell anyone as Firth and/or Forde might raise some objection; Man is going well; editing has slackened[?] off; he is trying to write his Oberlin lecture; hopes to work on Eliot’s pieces over the holidays; Parkhurst said that he would send the list of pieces selected for the show; was meaning to write to C.P. to ask about the customary method of conducting seminars at Oberlin; on the title of the whole seminar; hopes she will have a lovely time at Christmas; is sending ‘La Philosophie Bantoye’ as a present; in seven weeks they will be together again; hopes she can book him on 3 Feb. (autogr.; water damaged)
/2/101 Ibid., 18 Dec. 1955 – is sorry this Christmas letter is in pencil; his pen is in the front room where his mother sleeps; has been looking forward to a letter from her for some days; on his bidding £2,000 more than anyone ever bid before for a piece of African sculpture; has become temporarily famous for this; does not like being known for a connection with a large sum of money; on the extreme beauty of the head; people have written to him about their Benin collections; a woman in Sussex has the ‘missing’ mask pendant; on an unprecedented catastrophe in his work; Mrs B[owe] his secretary, whose marriage has been falling apart, has been driven mad by her husband’s activities; she is in a mental hospital; they are in the process of giving her the sack; she is the occupier of the top flat and this is the only way of turning out the husband and his mistress; Mrs B. has been pretending to do things properly while all she has done is hide things away; her [MWP’s] letter of 14 Dec. [/2/99] has just arrived; he is on leave from 16-29 Dec.; shall be working pretty hard all this time; Miss Jackson, Mrs B.’s assistant is leaving to get married; Man is nearly five months behind; he has not even started on the ‘Oxford Companion to Art’; asks her not to damn him with excessive praise all over the US; expands on this point at length; discusses Frans; on the Christmas card he is sending; hopes she has a lovely Christmas (autogr.; some water damage)
/102 Ibid., 19 Dec. – refers to her letter posted on 15 Dec. [/2/99]; supposes that his Christmas card will have reached her by now; on the card he sent to Brucie; asks her not to try to persuade K[athy] McB[ride] to invite him to lecture again at B[ryn] M[awr]; the initiative should come from them; on her asking for advice about being received before Christmas; cannot see any reason for her to feel qualms about special treatment; once she has decided on the change it is her duty to make the change as soon as the Church will accept her; discusses this point further; hopes that if she has not been received already, she will be before the New Year; she should not have doubts about making a sincere confession of sins; discusses sins generally (autogr.; water damaged)
/103 MWP to WBF, 19 Dec. – on envelopes; asks him to convey greetings to his mother; mentions the Plass Collection; on people she has visited; asks for the name and address of a museum director; mentions Siroto; her transmutation will be on 29 or 30 Dec. (autogr.; water damage)
/2/104 Ibid., 22 Dec. 1955 – the book arrived; reminisces about holidays; had a letter from the Director who spoke admiringly of WBF; on her being received into the Church on 28 Dec.; a good deal of the courage to make this step came from him; Francis Gibbs is the only person besides Father LaFarge and Father Thibodeau who knows about it; on the reason for not telling people; she is working very hard (autogr.; water damaged)
/105 Ibid., 1 Jan. 1956 – refers to his cable of felicitation [not held] and letter [not held]; on her first confession; on Father Thibodeau; on Maurice’s trip to Africa; on her first communion; Francis is pleased that she has become a Catholic; describes their lunch; imagines he is working hard on Eliot’s book and on the seminar; Kathy did not suggest he come; U. of P. wants him; on New Year’s Eve; she worked at the hospital; on sin; it was worse for her to love him when she was married but it was never really bad and hardly a mortal sin; she is in a state of grace. 4 pages (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/106 Ibid., 9 Jan. – asks him to rewrite some sentences for her for the introduction to the UM catalogue; asks for the girl’s name at Toronto; on Carlebach; (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/107 WBF to MWP, 14 Jan. – is glad his Christmas card and letter have arrived; summarises what he said; 3 Feb. is the first day on which he could leave; on booking his flight; she knows how deeply he felt about her baptism; nothing ever gave him such joy; is proud to have had a [part] in it; has not yet finished the Oberlin lecture; has done no more on Eliot’s book; refers to sorrowful letters from Praeger; the Clarendon Press have relieved him of the job for the ‘Oxford Companion’; he has let them down rather badly; it is a relief to him; got MWS in as the new secretary without difficulty; on a Council meeting on 5 Jan.; on clothes (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/108 MWP to WBF, 14 Jan. 1956 – refers to being impatient with him; on her work on the UM catalogue; has made friends with the editor of the UM Bulletin; on the cover she has drawn up; on items which people are loaning for her exhibition; mentions Carlebach; mentions Klejman; Leon is eaten up with jealousy; she had a letter from Adrian in which he spoke affectionately of WBF; perhaps she should stay in England and help in the department while WBF is Keeper; Lavanoux could do his ‘Christian Influences in African Art’ alone; on pieces travelling; lists some things she wants him to bring with him; mentions Mike’s ‘Snowbird’; discusses Francis; on René, who is working like ten men; Maurice is making his African trip from June to Oct.; she loves being a Catholic; she and Paul W. think he should marry Margret Bennet-Clark. 2 leaves (tp. with autogr. additions; some water damage)
/109 Ibid., 24 Jan. – mentions Clarke; mentions the catalogue; asks him to send ten more Plass catalogues; asks if he is bringing the goldweights; on seeing Francis on the day WBF arrives; on going to see ‘Tiger at the Gates’; refers to Malvina [Hoffman] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/110 List of books by Marcel Griaule for WBF, recd. 29 Mar. (tp. with autogr. notes, one by MWP)
/111 New York Times, 31 Mar. – ‘Moving “Parsifal” Offered at “Met”’ (newspaper cutting)
/112 MWP to WBF, 5 Apr. [1956 as per postmark] – on taking the Century Limited; on the Bryn Mawr benefit night; asks if he read the review of ‘Mr Johnson’ in the New Yorker [2/113]; on the people she has been with today; has in her possession an Owo ram for him and a Cameroon stool for herself; mentions other artefacts with drawings; gives the menu for the dinner; discusses the ram and the stool; asks if her Ibibio doll is en route; she is arriving 12 May; asks him to meet the ‘America’; on her hotel [Sheraton Blackstone, Chicago]. 4 pages (autogr.)
/113 [New Yorker], 28 Mar. – ‘“Mister Johnson” At Martin Beck’ (newspaper cutting)
/114 MWP to WBF, 8 Apr. – on the Owo ram; describes it; on the Field people; she must do a lovely Cameroon House for them; on the Cameroons stool; describes it; asks if he has finished Eliot’s piece; either he is busy working on it or he is ill; on her booking at the Connaught (autogr.; some water damage)
/115 Ibid., 11 Apr. – a photo of the Balumbo mask is urgently needed; asks him to cable a reply (telegram)
/2/116 Ibid., 11 Apr. 1956 – asks about a packet (telegram)
/117 Ibid., 14 Apr. – his report is superb; Junius is coming to lunch; on the [Cameroon] house she is planning, which is to be a thick-walled mud house; gives details of the house; will assemble it in the last two weeks of Sept.; will have palm wine at the opening; includes diagram; on a fall she had; on a letter from the Director who is depressed; explains why; thinks Junius will be Director soon; on his new book; asks about the Connaught; discusses TDK; he marks his letters ‘confidential’; WBF knows how hard it is for her to keep things confidential; asks what she can bring him. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/118 Esther Clifford to MWP, 17 Apr. – on her catalogue; she recognized a number of the things; enjoyed WBF’s ‘vitriolic outburst’ (tp.); MWP to [WBF], nd – is bringing Oberlin cat[alogue]s; on objects which she is bringing; on her arrival; mentions the Klejmans and Nelson; on Stevie; on Francis; wishes he was here; assumes he has finished Eliot’s piece (autogr.; some water damage)
/119 MWP to WBF, 19 Apr. – on her addresses; on mail for her going to the BM Department of Ethnography; on hotels; on getting a furnished apartment; refers t moving into a new flat; has found a heavenly flat; describes it; includes sketches; on people who are coming to a dinner on 26 [Apr.]; mentions the page proofs of the catalogue (autogr.; some water damage; page[s] missing)
/120 Paul S. Martin, Chicago Natural History Museum, to MWP, 24 Apr. – on her letter [not held]; on Lecoq’s book ‘Les Bamilekes’; he and Phil are awaiting pictures and dimensions from WBF; the Maintenance Department is champing at the bit to get the house ready to install quickly; asks her to ask WBF to hurry with measurements, photographs, etc.; a month in Chicago will give her ample time to supervise the exhibition; told George he ought to write to Junius; hopes her show in Philly went with a bang. 2 leaves (tp.); MWP to WBF, nd – Paul is slightly nuts; found some Hambly photos; describes the houses; asks him to charge ‘Les Bamilekes’ to her and send it to Paul; asks him to send some pictures; is very busy; every museum director who writes to her sends her his love; if he cannot do anything about this asks him to get BJK to assemble photos. 2 leaves (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/121 WBF to MWP, 28 Apr. 1956 – on his 42nd birthday; on celebrating their tenth anniversary; it is a pity she is not moving straight into a flat on 12 [May]; he would have tried to greet her in the only suitable manner; on arrangements for meeting the ‘America’; hopes she has a lovely voyage; expects to receive her account of the Great Exhibition and the private view; refers to TDK’s official letter conveying the Trustees’ thanks for her help to him in America; on his Report; hopes she will write him her views on the Sylla stuff; on firespitters; refers to Nelson’s offer (autogr.; some water damage)
/122 MWP to WBF, 29 Apr. – everything was perfect about the show; gives details; he must have the catalogue by now; quotes from a letter from Sturgis praising the show; is bringing slides of the arrangements and many more pictures; is bringing catalogues; will bring press notices; thanks him for what he did to make the show and catalogue so good (autogr.; some water damage)
/123 Ibid., 3 May – asks him to deliver £100; Bryzowski is ill; Plass catalogues are ordered (telegram)
/124 Ibid., ibid. [1956] – on his birthday; refers to his two letters; is glad the catalogue passes muster; everyone is ecstatic about the show, the catalogue, her and the pieces; on going out to lunch; on pictures of her; on Nelson; refers to the Kenneth Tynan piece; on sending her stuff to the BM; there is not need for Burland to open any of her letters; she will probably get a flat; the Klejmans were stricken about Bryzowoski’s heart attack; hopes he can raise £100; sends Klejman’s address; mentions Mamadou Sylla. 4 pages 9autgor.
/125 WBF to MWP[?], nd – the money is arranged; Brozo is improving; asks for Klejmans’ address (text of a telegram, autogr.)
/126 MWP to WBF, 9 May – ‘Accept love’ (telegram)
/127 Martha T. Everett, National Academy of Sciences, to MWP, ibid. – acknowledges receipt of her registration fee for the Vth International congress of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences in Sept. (tp.)
/128 The Hyde Park Hotel, 18 May – receipt for payment from MWP (printed and autogr.)
/129 18 May – receipt for payment of rent [at the Albany] from MWP (printed and autogr.)
/2/130 MWS to MWP, 22 May 1956 – hears from WBF that she will be over this spring; suggests she come to the Garden Party on 25 June and bring K. McBride; Robert Dick-Read applied for a Horniman but did not get it; hopes he applies again; he is a nice boy (autogr.); MWP to [WBF], nd – asks him to ask MWS to send an invitation to Katharine McBride; asks him to tell MWS she looks forward to the Garden Party; on her health; she is in pretty bad shape (autogr.)
/131 E. Rossi & Co. to MWP, 12 June – invoice for a suit (printed and autogr.)
/132 15 June – receipt for payment of rent at the Albany from MWP (printed and autogr.)
/133 R.W. Richardson, Antiques, to MWP, 13 July – thanks her for cheque (tp.)
.1 Business card for R.W. Richardson (printed)
/134 14 July – receipt for payment of rent at the Albany from MWP (printed and autogr.)
/134a Maurice [Lavanoux] to MWP, 14 Aug. – on places he has visited in Africa; mentions the help of the missionaries; on the Ife bronzes; goes next to Kano and Jos where he hopes BEBF is back from holiday (autogr.)
/135 E. Storrer to MWP, post-23 Aug. – refers to her letter of 23 Aug. [not held]; unfortunately he got rid of the objects as he thought they were not interested following the unhappy affair of the Senoufo statuette; on the statuette in her show in Philadelphia; he wishes to keep this in his collection; if she comes to Zurich he would offer other good pieces (tp., in French)
/136 MWP to WBF, nd – on Storrer; has heard that Klejman bought the Senufo; she wrote to Storrer saying all would be forgiven if he let her have this piece; Bernard Quint is happy about the firespitter; on some Ngeres; she was a great success at the Congress; asks him to write the Eliot book; is sure her illness is partly psychosomatic (autogr.); [on verso:] David [Crownover] to ‘Aunt Margo’, nd – opened this in case it was a release of the Senufo piece; they are getting ready to take down the show; thanks her for making the congress a party not a chore; thanks her for the scarf (autogr.)
/2/137 WBF to MWP, 27 Aug. 1956 – is afraid this will not reach her on her return; is sure she will have had a happy crossing; is happier than after previous partings as he knows she will be gone for only two months; is looking forward to 30 Oct.; hopes she will enjoy the Congress; on moving into the old flat; encloses about 600 words of the Gold Coast; is going to work steadily until the whole job is finished; asks her not to let Eliot and Praeger give up hope; spent Saturday showing textiles to Lemaire; asks about Eleanor Munro (autogr.; some water damage)
/138 MWP to WBF, 31 Aug. – on the heat; has packed lots of boxes to bring home; is broke; asks if he has done the statement for Kiddell; refers to a sale of part of the Webster Plass Collection; Eliot will not be back until 25 Sept.; is seeing Quint after the Congress; is seeing a lot of Francis; on Stevie; on other people she has seen; does not like New York much; will be glad to get back to London and to him; on her flat; on the goldweights; on Leon; asks him not to get engaged before 30 Oct. (autogr.; some water damage)
/139 WBF to MWP, 5 Sept. – refers to enclosures; is sorry that there is not more of the Eliot book; hopes to make rapid progress; on a Mrs Imrie who wants to dispose of a collection of goldweights; if she is interested, he thinks the collection should be kept together; discusses possibilities; asks for her views; has bought two ibeji; has bought himself a bicycle; on the weather; hopes the Congress has gone well and she has obtained new Fellows (autogr.; some water damage)
/140 MWP to WBF, 6 Sept. – it is lovely being a BM delegate; Fro Rainey is President of the Congress; on the Dinner; on her partner Olderogge from Leningrad; everyone is angelic about her show; on BEBF; they both wish WBF was there; on the heat; mentions various other people; has accepted a Dogon heddle pulley from a man in St James’ St.; he has a beautiful Indian wife; hopes Mme Cialkowsky and Verité can wait until the sale is over; she has promised 5000[$?] to clean up the UM cellars; Roy Sieber is coming to Chicago for the opening; misses him; refers to ‘you know what’ (autogr.)
/2/141 Ibid., 9 Sept. 1956 – got back from the Congress last night; it was such fun; on Sturgis’ lunch party; mentions BEBF; on WBF’s statement for the Sotheby’s catalogue; on people she is lunching with; asks him to buy the goldweights and ibeji; Francis is giving a dinner and theatre party for BEBF; she loves WBF but his notes are cold; asks for reassurance; on Grottanelli; on Olderogge; asks him to write; asks him not to discard her now; on people she drove back from Congress with (autogr.; some water damage)
/142 Ibid., 12 Sept. – on BEBF; on people she took him to see; on stuff he got; she got an Ibo meat and salt dish; includes sketch; also bought a Basonge; will air mail him a photo; describes it; on her health; is trying to rest but has a lot on her mind; Mortie wants her to live in Bryn Mawr; must go to Chicago and down to Oberlin; shall insist on sailing on 25 Oct.; Mortimer asked her what she would do when WBF married and had a family; this is a fair question; if he marries in the near future she cannot take living near him; wants him to be happy and have children but is too in love with him to spectate on the event; wishes he was here to talk sense to her; he was her first love and came late to her; worry is bad for her; asks if he has had an answer from Storrer; Geraldine [Bruckner] will not ship the Senufo to the BM unless they hear from him that it is OK; is worrying about Elisofon; Langton sent his firespitter, not Eliot’s; asks him to tell Kiddell about the new Basonge; will write when she is quieter. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/143 George S[impson], Oberlin College, to MWP, ibid. – on her suggestion that she might stop at Oberlin on her way back from the exhibition at Chicago; would be happy for her to give a lecture on the African art exhibits; invites her to stay; on the Congress meetings; he enjoyed seeing the Ingersolls’ collection (tp.)
/2/144 Charles Ratton to ibid., 15 Sept. 1956 – on moving around during the summer; on the weather; her letter reached him in Rome; was sorry not to be able to go to the Congress at Philadelphia; thinks it was a great success; refers to her being a BM delegate; he had needed a rest and the holiday did him good; was happy to receive a catalogue from Chicago; on their Cameroon collection; will see her in London in Nov.; wants to see the Byzantine exhibition at the V&A; on the objects she has decided to sell; on obtaining the best price; on a voyage to Africa with her and WBF; does not know Sturgis Ingersoll; in principle the idea is interesting; will think about it (autogr.; in French); MWP to WBF, nd – on Charles; sent a picture of the Baule with rider to Kiddell; on a photograph of a Baluba; hopes Langton has repaired the Dogon mask; sh casually suggested to Charles that he come to Africa with them; Sturgis and his wife want to come too; does not care for women on their expeditions; perhaps WBF will have married her by then; the drawback is that she cannot give him children; thinks she could make him happy; has not written to Tom or Adrian; asks her to tell Adrian that she did the BM proud; BEBF is having a bad time with Murray; will bring the Weyhe Basonge girl (autogr.)
/145 MWP to WBF, 16 Sept.[?] – on her health; David Crownover and Sturgis Ingersoll wish to join the RAI; never saw MWS at the Congress; on BEBF; on a letter from Percy Madison, President of the UM; if she feels strong enough she will take BEBF to the Met and the NHM on Monday; they get along very well and never mention his wife; discusses BEBF further; on dresses she has bought; will come back on 25 Oct.; refers to his work on Eliot’s stuff; Brucie has had a breakdown; on Darryl [Forde]; she has turned to poetry; on the music she has been listening to; on masks; asks him not to desert her now (autogr.; some water damage)
/146 Ibid., 18[?] Sept. – thanks him for the cable; goes into hospital tomorrow; has been pretty ill; on BEBF; had him [WBF] engaged to Margret without a thought for his adoring MWP; will be fine when she gets back to London; thinks he is wrong about the double firespitter; will bring back the […?]; asks him to write more for the Eliot book; on BEBF taking pieces from Carlebach; on Weinberg and Klejman; on Halina; will send word by BEBF as to how she gets on; asks that he try to love her; he is her life (autogr.; water damaged)
/147 Ibid., 19[?] Sept. – asks him to post the Eliot book; refers to his letter; on her health; the doctor thinks London is better for her than New York; on BEBF; on Cath; mentions an Ibo bowl with figure; discusses Quint; more on BEBF (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/148 Ibid., 23 Sept. 1956 – refers to his letter; on meals she has had; discusses her health in detail; mentions her appeal to both men and women; on going to Chicago; on her Oberlin lecture; Praeger is ‘screaming’ for more stuff. 2 leaves (autogr.; some water damage); [on verso:] H. Weinberg to MWP, 12 Sept.; & Percy C. Madeira to MWP, 13 Sept.]
/149 Ibid., [27 Sept.] – on going to Chicago on 1 Oct.; on money; is renting her place; on their love for each other; discusses her doctors; on her lecture at Oberlin; (autogr.; some water damage)
/150 Ibid., [30 Sept.] – gives her day’s programme; is going to Chicago tomorrow; will see him in a month; on Francis; on her health; is bringing lots of books; asks if he has written a line of Eliot’s book; on Quint; mentions a firespitter; on Nora [Waln] and her niece (autogr.; some water damage)
/151 WBF to MWP, 1 Oct. – her last few letters have made him happy in the knowledge that she is fully restored before her task in Chicago; asks where she will be staying in Chicago and Oberlin; on her doctors discovering a new element in her, called ‘Plassium’; discusses Maurice; advises her to keep on friendly terms with John K.; advises her not to get involved in quarrels; on s Sylla Ngere with a shiny red nose in the Sotheby sale (autogr.; water damaged)
/152 MWP to WBF, 6 Oct. – is having a wonderful time in Chicago; describes her activities; discusses Roy Sieber; on spending the evening at Wielgus’ house; [water damaged]; on Quimby’s description of him [WBF] (autogr.)
/153 Ibid., 11 Oct. – all continues to go well; describes her work; she has been interviewed by the press; on Don Collier, George Quimby and Ken; mentions Joanie Elisofon; mentions Paul Martin, who is a darling; on Stevie; on the Herskovitses who love WBF; thinks she ought to marry Paul Martin who dotes on her; on Mr Field; she is ‘Woman of the Week’; on the murals she is painting; Junius showed her the collection; on Ray Wielgus’ collection; asks him to marry her; on politics; on Phil Lewis; asks him to finish the Eliot book; asks him to meet her on 31 [Oct.]. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/154 Ibid., 14 Oct. 1956 – the last 48 hours have been as happy as any in her public life; on the Cameroons House; she gave her lecture seven times on the opening night; everybody loved everything; on socializing; on her trip to Cleveland; discusses Don Collier, George Quimby and Ken Starr; mentions the catalogue; on arriving at Oberlin; on her lecture; mentions Wolfgang Stechow; asks him to finish the Elisofon book. 3 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/155 WBF to MWP, 15 Oct. – will see her in 16 days; refers to her last letter; hopes she is taking things easy now she is back in New York; suggests the people she ought to see; her Chicago show ought to be written up in one of the Museum magazines; hopes she has got full coverage of it in photographs; asks if she got any more of the Phila. exhibition; on Merlin’s show (autogr.; some water damage)
/156 Chicago American, 15 Oct. – ‘Knows Kings – and Wild Men – Woman of the Week’, MWP (newspaper page)
/157 ‘Tribal Sculpture’ (newspaper cutting showing MWP)
/158 MWP to WBF, 16 Oct. – on people she met at dinner last night; on her health; on her love for him; on her weight; on Francis. 2 leaves (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage); [on verso:] Phillip H. Lewis, Chicago Natural History Museum, to MWP, 20 Sept.]
/159 WBF to MWP, 21 Oct. – on the happiness and love which await her when she arrives; on his weight; on cycling; is working hard on Eliot’s book; has written to Charles Parkhurst; on Bakwele masks which Margret found; will bring a car to Southampton to meet her; on clearing her desk in the BM (autogr.; some water damage)
/160 MWP to WBF, 22 Oct. – on Junius; Francis took her, Malvina [Hoffman] and Nora [Waln] out to dinner; discusses Mrs Putnam; the cat[alogue]s have not arrived from the Field yet; on her health; on social engagements; on putting her goldweights and other African things in place [in the BM?]; will see him in a little over a week (autogr.; some water damage)
/161 Ibid., 20 Nov. [as per postmark] – sends the material transferred from her correspondence file to his; on his finishing the Congo essay; she is at his disposal; is going away this weekend; is grateful to him for his help with the sale (autogr.)
/162 New York Times, 21 Nov. [1956?] – ‘Pressures on Stevenson’ (newspaper cutting)
/2/163 MWP to WBF, 29 Nov. 1956 – on her flight; having Eliot’s book almost done comforts her; sees visions of evenings with him [WBF] when she returns; has a week of work and family duty in New York and Phila.; on Stevie; on Francis; on her mother’s funeral (autogr.)
/164 Leo M. Egard to ibid., 26 Dec. – on his manuscript on African sculpture; there is some difficulty in the section on the Sudan; certain statements appear to need revision; on Benin art; asks him to think this over and reply by 6 Jan. 1957 (autogr. copy by MWP)
/165 [WBF?] to Leo Egard, 3 Jan. 1957 – his letter has only just reached him; cannot be sure that he will get this reply by 6 Jan.; Mr Praeger will be flying to London in order to clear up various matters; gives his observations; on the Sudan; does not wish to add anything to it; on the passage on Benin art; cannot find any inconsistency. 2 leaves (autogr. copy by MWP; some water damage)
/166 MWP to BEBF, 15 Feb. – on feeling ill; on a friend of hers, Mrs Betty Murphy Mase, who is coming to the Gold Coast; she wants to meet BEBF and see his museum; she has met WBF and liked him; gives further details about her; she [MWP] will also write to Kenneth; on Brian Egerton; on WBF’s mother; on Margret who adores WBF; wants WBF to have some children for her to be godmother to; thinks Margret is right for him; WBF got a job in the new museum in New York at $1000 a year; the Director has just met Sonia Cole; Tom is going to open the show and seminar she [MWP] is having at the ICA; Brian Egerton has been persuaded to sell a few of his pieces; shall write about this to Kenneth (autogr.; water damaged)
/167 A.W. Lawrence, Ghana National Museum, to MWP, 11 Apr. – thanks her for the catalogue of her exhibition; on the Bron mask; was sorry to hear she was ill; mentions Betty Mase; expects to leave Ghana by 5 July (tp.); MWP to WBF, 1 May – on the Bron mask; on Ratton and Douglas Newton (autogr.; some water damage)
/168 MWP to [WBF], Good Friday [19 Apr.] – on sending her money; on making her Easter confession; mentions various people she has seen; on a list of guests; asks if he heard from Murray on the Egerton things; mentions Francis and Stevie; Dick-Read found her teeth which she had left at the Albany; the ICA had 450 catalogues left; on various dealers. 3 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/169 Ibid., Easter Day [21 Apr.] 1957 – on the weather; tells him what has happened; on her flat; on Kathy; next year she will do some work at the Art History department at Bryn Mawr; on the new museum; on Rosemount; mentions Francis and Stevie. 3 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/170 C.O. Innes, Barclays Bank Ltd., to MWP, 25 Apr. – hope she had a pleasant voyage; sends her statement; she is in the red; asks for a few dollars to adjust (autogr.)
/171 MWP to WBF, 29 Apr. – on moving to Bryn Mawr; describes her apartment; missed seeing Adrian but Junius took care of him; on plans to see various people; on the Max Mallowans; mentions Francis and Stevie; encloses the letter from Mr Innes [/2/170]; she misses him; on money (autogr.; some water damage)
/172 Ibid., c. 1 May – asks him to thank his mother for the letter; on his kitchen; tells him he must do something about Maurice; he needs her as a secretary and ‘nagger’; believes she is not meant to do original work but is a good #2; on dining with Francis; Brian Egerton sent his picture; has promised Stevie and Mortimer to give the place a year’s trial, until 1 May 1958 (autogr.)
/173 Ibid., 3 May – on Lawrence and the Bron; discussed the Symposium with Goldwater; asks him about Douglas Newton; her shoulder inflammation is better and she feels well; mentions a firespitter (autogr.; some water damage)
/174 WBF to MWP, 4 May – is sorry to have left her almost three weeks without a letter; this was due to his working on the captions; he finished them on his birthday; he seldom disagreed with Leon Siroto; is trying to write the short […?] note; on her flat in the Chetwynd; on her settling down to just two homes; spent a day with Brian and Dorothy on 1 May; Bob Sainsbury has acquired an ivory flywhisk; discusses this and an ivory mask; hopes to send Murray photographs of the Egerton pieces soon (autogr.; some water damage)
/175 MWP to WBF, 6 May – on dining with the Chaim Gross family; asks if he has finished the captions; on a party for the Rattons; on Goldwater who will not believe the EI piece is a fake; has had enough of the Négeristes in New York; asks him to write; she worries when she does not hear anything (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/176 Ibid., 13 May 1957 – is settled in her eyrie; is loving her house; Tom K. has been particularly lovely; she will not mentions Sainsbury’s coup; on Murray having first pick of the Egerton remainder; asks if he has the list with their agreed-on pieces; Brian thinks WBF does not appreciate her; heard some gossip about A[drian Digby] in British Honduras [see MS 498/9/121]; she loves him (autogr.; some water damage)
/177 Ibid., 17 May – is very happy; her book ‘The King’s Day’ was one of the ten best books published in America last year; asked Geraldine [Bruckner] why she did not enter the UM Tribal Art catalogue; she said it was not good enough; asks him to broadcast this news all over London; everyone in Chicago rang her; is not feeling very well physically; asks if he will come over in the autumn (autogr.; some water damage)
/178 WBF to MWP, 20 May – on a missing key; Margret was back at work after Brussels; on Margriet and Frans [Olbrechts] (autogr.; water damaged)
/179 MWP to WBF, post-21 May – refers to a letter from Wolf Stechow [not held]; he is sailing to Europe and will be in to see WBF; thinks a lot about the Benin book; it will be good (autogr.); [on verso:] Chloe Hamilton, Oberlin College, to MWP, 21 May – thanks her for her exhibition publication on lost wax casting; MWP’s description of the various tribes will be very useful; she will see four articles by WBF in the spring bulletin; asks if there is a chance of a trip west; she might come east next month; would love to see the Museum of Primitive Art with her (tp.)
/180 MWP to WBF, 24 May – is not over well; on Kathy; everyone is thrilled about her book award; is seeing René and Goldwater about the Symposium; lists the pieces of the Egerton remainders with prices; asks him to pay the Polish woman and Roudillon out of the proceeds; on a letter from Brian (autogr.; some water damage)
/181 WBF to MWP, 26 May – is delighted about the ‘King’s Day’; on the illustrations and the text; on redecoration of his house; is having a garden wall built; asks her to come over as soon as she can (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/182 MWP to WBF, 27 May 1957 – came to New York yesterday and will stay until after the Private View at the MPA tomorrow; hopes to see René and Goldwater about the Symposium at the RAI; does not want to approach Jim and the Guggenheim until she has a definite answer from the MPA; has refused a job; starts at the UM next Monday; describes what she will be doing; on giving lectures; on a faculty party at Kathy’s; mentions Francis and Father LaFarge; Tom K. wrote her a lovely letter; on social engagements; David Crownover is planning a Mayan show; on David getting a decision out of René; on the weather; on her flat; on cooking with Bruce; is glad he got the money from Tervuren and glad that Margret went there; on Frans; asks if he can come over; discusses coming to London again; on the missing key; asks him to send the Sudan when he writes it; refers to gossip about Adrian. 8 pages (autogr.)
/183 Ibid., 4 June – loves living in Bryn Mawr; almost wishes he had accepted the directorship of the new museum; there are to be five shows to exhibit all their objects; mentions some of the things in the shows; had a charming letter from Bryan (autogr.)
/184 Ibid., 8 June – on the weather; refers to the redecoration of his house; on turning his bigger room into a bedroom; he feels the cold more than most people; thinks Americans get so many colds because they love a 70o temperature; cites Francis Gibbs; has worked up a friendship between Francis and Brian Egerton; on Mrs Rose-Price; describes a trip they took; on her living room; includes a sketch; discusses a legal situation involving John Klejman. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/185 Ibid., 11 June – everything goes well; on her flat, the weather, and the landscape; had a letter from Wolfgang von Stechow; quotes from his letter praising her lecture; mentions Bernheimer; on her fibrositis; the UM would like to send David to the Symposium; asks if he could speak on ‘The Exhibition of Primitive Art’; has started her UM permanent show catalogue; she wants to call it ‘West African Walk’; mentions various people; Stevie has given up drinking; when she comes in the autumn she will have to stay at a hotel. 3 pages (autogr.)
/2/186 Ibid., nd [pre-15 June] 1957 – has been to Wanamakers; mentions some people; asks when he goes to Göteborg; discusses some artefacts; is going to Cape May with Brucie the weekend of 21-23 June; is so thrilled with her life, she could die tomorrow; she has done all she wants to do in life except marry him; on Francis; except for WBF does not care about coming back to England; he does not love her much any more as he does not write; he might as well get on with marrying Margret; the hours they have had together have been the happiest of her long life; from now on she will devote herself to benefactions; the UM have voted money to send David to the Symposium; he has achieved great prestige; he can say something of value about arranging primitive art material; asks him to answer her letter; asks him various questions; asks him to send the 11 May New Yorker to Brian Egerton. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/187 A.W. Lawrence, University College, Achimota, to MWP, 19 June – refers to her letter of 3 May [not held]; did not answer earlier because he could not make up his mind what to do with the electrotype of the Bron mask; under present conditions it could only be put into store; on the expansion of the museum to enable it to do its job; he will collect the mask from WBF and hold it until it can be brought out; the museum is under new ownership as well as new management; on his resignation; mentions Betty Mase (autogr.; some water damage)
/188 MWP to WBF, ibid. – is not trying to blackmail him; cannot afford to live in London; on her finances; Mortimer says that if she wants to live in London she will have to marry someone who already lives there; on her standard of living; she has women friends in America whereas she had none in London; is better away from New York except that Francis misses her; she is a domestic and home-loving woman; deprived of children she has built a ‘fake’ life for herself; feels he is better off without her; he should marry and have children; on his relationship with his mother; on writing to Adrian; on Stevie; appreciates men telling her to take care of herself; is no longer concerned with being younger than her real age. 3 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/189 Ibid., 24 June – on the catalogue; his introduction is magnificent; on her lectures at Bryn Mawr; on the heat; on a trip to Cape May with Brucie; she is not very well; on a brass figure; will have the Susu photographed. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/190 Ibid. to R. Sturgis Ingersoll, 26 June 1957 – on the Symposium; encloses the minutes of their first meeting; it would be a good idea to have discussions about standardization of vocabulary; MWS has asked her to try to get grants in America; wants to turn out a first class book; on Jim Sweeney; asks for his advice; she will probably end up paying the debts; she has very little money (tp.; page[s] missing); [on verso:] MWP to WBF, meant to send him this; on a brass figure; had a letter from Ivon Hitchens; had a note from Margret (autogr.)
/191 R. Sturgis Ingersoll to MWP, 27 June – refers to the statement of WBF’s; has read her letter [/2/190] and the minutes; is a weak reed when it comes to making suggestions about where she could find money; wishes he could be of aid but he cannot; on the idea of standardization of vocabulary (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP; some water damage)
/191a MWP to WBF, ibid. – on the paper; encloses a note [not held] from C.O. Innes of Barclays Bank; on Phil Lewis; attributes his new job to her interest; mentions David and Roy Sieber; Phil wants a Swansea Cat.; on paying Herbert Riese’s bill; asks if he has heard from Charles; Sturgis also wants a Cat. from Swansea (autogr.)
/192 Ibid., 1 July – on the weather; on his making more efficient use of the rooms in his house; on ringing him; she misses him; discusses her flat; on her finances; Mortimer wants her to marry someone with money but she cannot do it; WBF has conditioned her to love so perfectly that she could never belong to another man; all her ‘horde’ are married; she wants him to marry and have children; on Betty Mase and her reaction to Catherine; alludes to her health; outlines her budget (tp. with autogr. additions)
/193 Ibid., 8 July [1957?] – is distressed at not hearing from him; keeps thinking he is ill; Betty Mase will soon be in London; on the weather in London; encloses Lawrence’s letter to her [MWP]; Betty said if Kenneth Murray had been younger she would have fallen in love with him; on an accident in the shower; is worried about him and about herself; her doctor thinks she should take three months’ rest in a sanatorium (autogr.)
/2/194 Phillip Lewis to MWP, 11 July 1957 – on their trip east; Don and Kenn were pleased to receive her affections; on writing the labels for the King’s House, Ancestor Hut and Drum Hut; on the African halls; on new wall cases; encloses a clip from Man reviewing ‘King’s Day’; on her apartments; he liked the UM (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/195 MWP to WBF, 12 July – on getting the time difference wrong; on his cough; cannot think of fixing another flat when this one is not perfect; on symposium work; everyone thinks Oct. is very close; he has not time to work up something good; tells him to suggest postponement to MWS; on her health; is glad he is having a holiday; discusses some artefacts; discusses the UM and the Field Museum; on an accident in the shower; is delighted about his weight loss. 4 pages (autogr.)
/196 Ibid., 17 July – on a figure he says is associated with the family of King Ockiya; is getting a lot of fun out of the Siroto UM Cat.; is sorry he is so unhappy; she never had a disagreement with Goldwater; mentions Douglas Newton, Bryan Robertson and Basil Taylor; mentions David Crownover; is fed up with African Art Society; does not believe in any of the African art devotes except him and Charles (autogr.)
/197 S. Hunter[?], Photographic Service, BM, to MWP, 19 July – refers to a letter of 21 June [not held] regarding a request for a remittance; the amount in question had in fact been paid; apologises for the inconvenience (tp.); [on verso:] MWP to WBF, nd – was horrified to get the bill and glad that he had paid it; she prides herself on her good credit; is gloomily awaiting the return of her corrected manuscripts for the UM; feels like a stupid woman (autogr.)
/198 MWP to WBF, 21 July – on a heatwave; on Francis; she is going to New York to see him; asks how to tell Egungun from Gelede masks; on the Siroto catalogue; her notes on the various pieces do not pretend to be a catalogue; on his cough; hates hearing from him so seldom; refers to her 61st birthday on 8 Aug. (autogr.)
/2/199 Maurice [Lavanoux], Liturgical Arts Society, to MWP, 22 July 1957 – refers to her letter [not held]; on visits he has made or will make; has a lot of good material for the Aug. issue; is planning two African issues for Feb.; one of the hard-to-get collaborators is WBF; he was to have sent photographs and two plaster heads, all paid for; Dr Hans Holbrecht is another hard-to-get collaborator; soon he will put the available material in order and discuss the text she might contribute; thanks her for the $50 (tp.); [on verso:] MWP to [WBF], nd – on Betty Mase; has a hunch she is in love with Ken Murray; tells him to get her to explain the Capricorn Africa Society; on Robert Dick-Read (tp.)
/200 Roy Sieber, State University of Iowa, to ibid., ibid. – refers to her letter of 10 July [not held]; asks her to have two copies of the guide sent to him; it will be better and more useful than the Weischhoff’s 1945 guide; mentions Siroto; has some crazy ideas about style devolopments in the Cameroons, Nigeria and Northern Congo; discusses these ideas; mentions the Dogon ancestral figures; shall write to Swansea for WBF’s statement; hopes WBF is no seriously ill; on finishing his thesis; has been appointed Assistant Professor; Soph asks if she knows an agent who could find them a flat; gives their approximate schedule; he saw Bascom in Evanston; has fallen in love with her little Bakwele. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage; notes added from MWP to WBF – wants WBF to have this [letter]; asks which Bakwele Sieber is talking about; on the symposium; she arrives on 1 Oct. and leaves 1 Nov.; asks about the mask with skull; Roy had a copy of the so-called Baluba head; the more she works with this stuff, the more she realizes that no one knows it all; asks if he has any ideas about the flat (autogr.)
/201 MWP to WBF, 24 July – discusses Dr John Stifel; is dining at Kathy’s tonight; on a colour print she is sending[?]; on her display cabinets; on hotels (autogr.)
/202 Ibid., 28 July – on her health; worked at the UM today and made ‘temporary trade’ with them; on pieces she exchanged; thanks him for his comforting letter; trusts her doctor but trusts English one more; is delighted he likes the guide but she hates the introduction; hoped he would change it; will be seeing him soon (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/203 Ibid., 31 July 1957 – is posting him a draft of the captions she wrote for the UM Guide; expects him to make something of her work; on the purpose of the guide; discusses Siroto’s catalogue; on a correspondence Leon had with Charles Ratton; on Coon’s preface; on the format of her guide; when she first met him she wrote very differently; now she is self-conscious; on paying for new clothes for him; hopes he got the mask with the skull on top; she is in good shape financially; on the heat; is going to Maine for ten days; she must get over the idea that marrying him is possible; on the men who surround her and dote on her; expects to arrive on 1 Oct. (tp. with autogr. additions)
/204 WBF to MWP, 2 Aug. – is writing from Ross-on-Wye; on the places they have visited on their holiday; went to his show at the National Museum of Wales; on Tewkesbury and Gloucester; on a write-up of his show in the Times; [water damage]; it is impossible for her to become an old woman for years to come[?]; on her coming to England; mentions Roy; he [WBF] got the mask with the skull for her; on his cough (autogr.; some water damage)
/205 MWP to WBF, 8 Aug. – on flights to London; thinks he is mad to go to Göteborg when he has so much on; says he should send Margret; on things she will bring with her to sell; Fro thinks she should do this; is fond of the Digby girls; cannot stay longer due to her teaching schedule; thought she would come again in Feb.; has changed her mind about him marrying M.; she has over-vaulting ambition; on having a wonderful birthday (autogr.; some water damage)
/206 Ibid., 9 Aug. – draws pictures of a mask she found in the UM storage; will try to bring photos of other things; feels horrible for no reason; does not want the week in San Harbor; supposes London will better her morale; he must persuade her not to undertake too many jobs; she only wants him despite the fact that her friends are so good to her; she does not deserve the goodness life has given her; mentions Tom Kendrick; feels inadequate to deal with anything (autogr.; some water damage)
/207 WBF to MWP, 13 Aug. – is sending photographs and cuttings without a letter to save delay; on his holiday; working on church architecture was a nice change; asks about sources of her information about Epa masks (autogr. note)
/2/208 Helen Damrosch Tee-Van to MWP, 17 Aug. [1957] – thanks her for leaving the Ashanti goldweights at the Club; has unpacked them; there will be no catalogue for her exhibit, just some labels; suggests wording of a label for the goldweights; may be able to put a longer description on the wall; thanks her for sketch of arrangement; on other pieces in her exhibit (autogr.; some water damage)
/209 WBF to ibid., ibid. – on her depressions; on Webster; he would have been proud of all that she has done in the past five years; asks if she got a letter posted on 5 Aug.; has booked his passage to Göteborg; was visited by Dr Biobaku of the Yoruba historical research scheme; he and Dike of the Benin scheme want WBF to go out to help them; he elected to go in the winter of 1958-59; hopes to get BEBF to join him; asks that she come out for some of the time (autogr.; some water damage; some torn away)
/210 MWP to WBF, post-18 Aug. – was in New York on 16 and 17 Aug.; mentioned the anniversary of Webster’s death [16 Aug.] to no one; Francis remembered; on Fred Duerr who is desperately ill; she got a letter from WBF on her birthday; it is wonderful about the Nigeria scheme; would love to fly out there if she is well enough; is not very well; on her Ivon Hitchens; it throws her other pictures out of whack; has had trouble about Mrs Rose-Price; took some goldweights to the Cos Club on Friday; asks him to do something about her UM manuscript before he goes to Göteborg. 3 pages (autogr.)
/211 Ibid., 19 Aug. – [mostly illegible due to water damage] (autogr.)
/212 Ibid., 24 Aug. – went to Ben Wolf’s house to see their African things; describes a new Baga they have; includes a drawing; on other items they have; asks him to send back her UM manuscript; expects to arrive about 15 Oct.; is meeting Joe Sloan to get her Bryn Mawr College dates set up (autogr.; some water damage)
/213 Ibid., ibid. – asks him to mail her the UM manuscript before he goes to Sweden; is worried about having to have an encephalograph test; on her doctor’s opinion; she probably has a form of epilepsy (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/214 Ibid., 25 Aug. 1957 – it was good to hear his voice; hopes she did not upset him; there is no one she can talk to; lists her friends who are not available; on her doctor; on her symptoms; it is likely she has epilepsy but it may be a brain tumour which scares her; on the great people who have been epileptic; it is only when she is very alone that she worries; ringing him did help her; asks him to post her manuscript; he is the joy of her life (autogr.; some water damage)
/215 WBF to MWP, ibid. – on a phone call; hopes she is not neglecting the help of the Church; there is the danger that she will be driven into self-pity; is sure that some irresponsible doctor has frightened her; on American doctors; on the encephalograph test; her personality is too powerful for her body; does not believe that she will be an invalid; if she is one, it would be better to be one here; there is no need for her to be worried about him; thought her draft guide first-class; there is very little that he would change; mentions Epa masks (autogr.; water damaged)
/216 MWP to WBF, 2 Sept. – on the two days she has been in Toledo; on the museum; on her flight back; on John, who has a crush on her; was careful not to over-work or over-excite herself; Americans are a sad lot really; on the encephalograph; on her symptoms (autogr.; some water damage; page[s] missing)
/217 Ibid., 5 Sept. – wrote a letter addressed to the Ethnographical Museum, Göteborg; hopes he got it; has been working at the UM with Reuben on the illustrations for the Winter Quarterly Bulletin; on some of the items; on David, who wants to fly to the Symposium with her; wonders if WBF, she and Bryan might run over to Paris for a few days after the Symposium to look at a few French Congo pieces; mentions her tests at the hospital; on a Bakota; Stevie’s son is doing research on the human brain; describes some other artefacts with drawings (tp. with autogr. additions)
/218 WBF to MWP, 10 Sept. – has been re-reading her last 11 letters and will answer anything he has not answered; BEBF has succeeded Murray; hopes they can go to Paris, with or without Bryan; on her spending a weekend with T.K.; on seeing Margaret Rolfe who has invited him for a weekend; has made his peace with Maurice Lavanoux; refers to the Grottanelli article; asks if she is going to order Seligman Christmas cards. 2 leaves (much illegible due to water damage)
/2/219 MWP to WBF, 16 Sept. 1957 – on the Minn. Museum show; she cannot start charging museums now; discusses several artefacts; on the weekend with Tom; on selling some stuff at Sotheby’s (autogr.; some water damage)
/220 Ibid., 19 Sept. – it would be a comfort to hear from him before she goes into hospital; on her doctor; feels well and full of enthusiasm for life; looks forward to arriving in London on 14 Oct.; more on her health; on her Phila. Museum of Art lecture on 3 Oct.; on her circle of friends in Philadelphia; she keeps away from dealers; discusses Jews; is going to bring a mask with her; on Bakotas; on going to Paris; is planning to come next spring and stay all summer; will never spend another summer in America; asks him to write to her (autogr.)
/221 Ibid., 20 Sept. – tells him it is epileptic seizures, which are not serious; there is a new drug to treat them; she has been advised not to get emotionally worked up; Capt. Adams wrote to Tom that he had a larger set of chambers for her; asks about Trelawny; is arriving on 15 Oct. (autogr.; some water damage)
/222 WBF to MWP, ibid. – signals receipt of her two letters; on her tests; does not want to marry her off; had a good evening at Henry Wasséns ; is going to Stockholm; gives his address; on Paul Bohannan; cannot see 10 or 12 Bakotas selling very well at Sotheby’s; refers to Hall’s article on the Epa masks; asks about Carlebach; cannot bear to go to Paris with her and David; is longing to see her (autogr.; some water damage)
/223 MWP to WBF, 22 Sept. – is relieved that it is only fits; on medication; is already feeling better; on Capt. Adams having a bigger flat for her; mentions John Rothenstein; on going to Paris on Friday 18th [Oct.]; on Brian selling three pieces; it is lovely that Margaret wants him for the weekend; asks if he is trying to force her to marry Tom; her friends in Philadelphia are better for her than the New York crowd; she is lucky to have so many people who are fond of her; asks if he has found a girl to love in Sweden; knows that he will never love anyone the way he has loved her; mentions Siroto’s catalogue; when a piece baffles him he leaves it out; asks him to meet her at the airport; is now arriving on Tuesday 15th [Oct.]; asks when he is returning to London (tp. and autogr.)
/2/224 Ibid., post-27 Sept. 1957 – on René [d’Harnoncourt]; has stopped worrying over the symposium; does not know how anyone could make a book out of the five papers she has seen; is most interested in clarifying the tribal name question; on her lecture at the Museum Art School; is bringing her slides to show him; has to bring some things for Sotheby’s too; is not looking forward to the first week of her visit; on Phil Lewis; is very tired today; discusses various people, including Ki Camman and George Allen; she would feel more loving if she felt better (autogr.); [on verso:] René d’Harnoncourt to MWP, 27 Sept. – on returning from a three-month vacation; found her letter on his return; it is out of the question to go to London; was horrified to find her letter unanswered (tp.)
/225 MWP to WBF, 28 Sept. – hopes he is home now; he never told her the date of his return; is learning to use the Polaroid; on the camera; does not feel at all well; on the medication she is taking; Capt. Adams wrote to tell her that she could not have the big flat; another will come up; mentions a run on the stock exchange; Mortimer does not think it is serious; her expenses are heavy; asks him not to fuss about David; he will only be in Paris with them for two days; asks him to postpone his weekend with the Rolfes; asks him to meet them on 15 Oct.; will have the stuff for Sotheby’s; both she and David will be in the White Hall Hotel; on the question of her marrying Tom; it would be a marriage of convenience. 4 pages (autogr.)
/226 Ibid., 30 Sept. – on a cable which she thinks was from Göteborg; on Bridgewater; describes their time together; Bridgewater said that Tom felt nothing about music; he said that there were four great men in the BM and WBF is one of them; quotes from a letter from Tom on her fainting; on a book ‘Tribal Map of Negro Africa’ which is full of mistakes; soon she will be there (autogr.)
/227 WBF to MWP, 4 Oct. – on the telegram garbled by the Swedish Post Office; his month in Sweden left him with a profit of £20; the expenses were too big but Izikowitz did not want anything back; Wassén will not get so much when he comes to the BM; has changed his return booking; on her practice of writing ‘I Love You’ on her letters; suggests she might use a private cipher; he loves receiving her letters; on greeting her on 15 Oct.; on having a placid time in England; on hotels; on a lecture tour 18-22 Oct.; on Babwende figures (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/228 MWP to WBF, 5 Oct. 1957 – on her lecture at the Museum School of Art; on Ben [Wolf] who heads the school; he and Ruth paid Carlebach $950 for their Baga; is writing to Carlebach to send WBF the other one; she is broke; on Mrs R-P; on Betty Mase; had a letter from Mike and Eliz. [Ayrton]; David’s father died suddenly; she feels fine and happy; will be with him in little more than a week; on Phil Lewis; thinks the papers for the Seminar are all bad; has hearing aid batteries for Mountford; Bridgewater is going to cook dinner for her; is happy again. 3 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/229 Ibid., 10 Oct. – on Bridgewater; refers to his letter about Babende and Babwende; mentions the ‘rag doll’ figures; on using the camera; she has to go to Paris on 18 Oct. with David even if he cannot go; has not heard from Bryan; asks him to ring him; has alerted Charles; she wants him to go; is sure Adrian will let him; will be so overweight that she will not be able to bring her Bajokwe horseman; has finished her introduction for the Duveen catalogue and has to do another for Minneapolis; on her fits; suggests he goes to the toilet to read her letters; she had a love letter from Toledo; it is lovely that he has money as she has none; on people who owe her money and things she has bought; gives him her flight number (autogr.; some water damage)
/230 WBF to MWP, 4 Dec. – on the result of the UM pieces; Kiddell took the sale and did his best to get good prices; he [WBF] did notice Charles and Ascher bidding against each other; thinks these are the correct market prices at present; there is no reason to suppose that better prices would have been realized in Paris; suggests what she should do if the UM wishes to sell more pieces; on other prices achieved; has heard from BEBF that the Council of Ministers have rejected the proposal to buy the ivory mask; Schwarz has also dropped out; hopes she had a comfortable journey (tp. with autgoor. additions; some water damage)
/231 MWP to WBF, 5 Dec. [as per postmark] – on a blizzard; the ‘Art of the Arctic’ private view is tonight; on people she is going with; is feeling tired and gloomy; will miss him more as she grows less weary; on the weather; on a Bobo; on Fred Duerr; she fears he is dying; is going to New York tomorrow to see the Duveen show; they did mess up the catalogue (autogr.; some water damage)
/2/232 Ibid., post-7 Dec. 1957 – refers to an Alistair Cooke piece in the Guardian; she sent it to George Allen; encloses his reply; asks about BEBF; on money; cannot live on her income; is unhappy; does not see a trip to England for a year at least. 2 leaves (autogr.; water damaged); [on verso:] ‘Greecy Goulandris’ to George Allen, 7 Dec. – on the Cooke article (tp.); and George [Allen] to MWP, 7 Dec. – on the Lurcy sale; on Cooke’s opinion of it (tp.)
/233 MWP to WBF, 9 Dec. – is going to do the Minneapolis lecture on 8 Jan.; has accepted her plane fare; it is the first time she has accepted expenses; saw the Duveen-Graham-Minneapolis show in New York; they made a classic Baluba helmet mask Cameroons; asks if they posted him a catalogue; the UM is upset about the sale; she is dead tired; must fall in a hot tub; asks him to help her through Christmas and Jan.; wants to run away and hide somewhere (autogr.)
/234 Ibid., [Dec.?] – asks him to answer her questions as a Christmas present for her; refers to his letter about the sale [/2/230]; they are posting the unsold Bakota to Duveen; on lectures; she has been made a Research Associate by the University of Pennsylavania; has not heard from MWS; mentions two of her companies; mentions Mrs R-P; on Freddy and his assistant; thinks after this spate of letures she might give up museum work; suggests they go to Majorca; is not feeling well; discusses Brian Egerton (autogr.; some water damage)
/235 Ibid. to WBF, nd – asks him to write; is sad about the sale; refers to being made a Research Associate; on Mrs R.P.; has no servants and no money; has hocked her ring again; asks him to cheer her (autogr.)
/236 Anthony Hobson, Sotheby & Co., to MWP, 13 Dec. – on speaking to the Alumnae on 8th; cannot manage the Bakota mask in his luggage; it is too big (tp. with autogr. notes from MWP to WBF)
/237 BEBF to ibid., 16 Dec. – on the Egerton pieces; he cannot purchase them; does not want to prevent her from getting these price from Ratton or Schwarz (tp. with autogr. note from MWP to WBF)
/2/238 MWP to WBF, post-23 Dec. 1957 – on Christmas and parties; on a weekend in New York; looked at flats but could not afford one; on the Elisofons and Francis; on a party for Anthony Hobson; on lectures she is giving; she sees no reason for living; asks about that Bakuele she loved (autogr.); [on verso:] Mrs Barbara M. Kaerwer, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, to MWP, 23 Dec. – on a photograph; alludes to her trip there; on clothing (tp.)
/239 WBF to MWP, 27 Dec. – is sorry for not writing for Christmas; explains that he has been busy with work for Eliot and Grottanelli; they are both completed; discusses the work; asks her to send him some information; encloses proof of the plate he has put into Jan. Man on the new finds at Ife; refers to BEBF and Frank Willett; is sorry she is suffering from bursitis; on her money worries (autogr.; water damaged)
/240 MWP to WBF, 30 Dec. – sends the information he asked for; is glad he has finished his writing; on her finances; on her health; she is unhappy (autogr.)
/3 1958-59 Margaret Plass Papers
/1 Minneapolis Institute of Art, Attractions, Vol. 5, no. 4, Jan. 1958 – announcement of a talk by MWP on 7 Jan., with photograph (magazine page; some torn away)
/2 WBF to MWP, 4 Jan. – is sorry that she felt hurt by his last letter; it makes him sad that she is unhappier than usual; on her medication; on the correlation between her cash position and her wellbeing; on the uncertainty about her future, in terms of where she will live; on his work; on Margret (autogr.; some water damage)
/3 MWP to WBF, post-4 Jan. – Julius is complicating the situation; on a Baga; asks about an Ogoni; on lectures; asks if he got the Duveen-Minneapolis catalogue; has found a flat (autogr.); [on verso:] Julius Carlebach to MWP, 4 Jan. – on his wife; hopes she will like the items he is bringing; on a mask; asks about the sale of the Bakota at Sotheby’s (tp.)
/3/4 MWP to WBF, 8 Jan. 1958 – on her Minneapolis lecture; they are madly rich out here; mentions young Pillsbury; is hurt by his lack of understanding at Christmas; hated that letter; on taking Mrs R-P to New York; Junius suddenly reappeared in her life; is hurt that losing the Bakwele means nothing to him; Maurice Lavanoux is coming to Philadelphia as soon as she gets back; Wolf Stechow will be be with her for two days; on bad press; read part of his letter to Francis; on overspending; she will not live according to his standard of living; hopes they can find a point of agreement about her future life some day; she loves him but differently. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/5 Ibid., post-8 Jan. – has not changed in her feelings towards him; does not want to live in London except for him; thinks he would not like her to make him the focus of her life; refers to the letter from R.J. Saunders & Co. to Julius Carlebach [which her letter is written on]; on Roy; on various people; Digby did not write to her; is trying to feel homesick for London but it is difficult (autogr.; some water damage)
/6 William Allen to MWP, 11 Jan. – on an article on Liberia in the New Yorker; on his baby; on his wife Peggy (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP to WBF)
/7 MWP to WBF, 13 Jan. – is disappointed that Mr Schwarz thinks the prices for Admiral Egerton’s pieces are high; asks if he has explained that neither they, nor the BM, nor the RAI get anything out of the transaction; Brian needs the money; on her Minneapolis lecture; her depression and Mr Schwarz have made her sad; Carlebach is being cooperative about the Banda; on Prof. Dr. Wolfgang von Stechow (autogr.; some water damage)
/8 WBF to MWP, 16 Jan. – is glad there is no cleavage between them; will show Schwarz her letter; on going to see Brian for a weekend; hopes she will not let Julius get away with making her keep the mask; refers to his letter to him; refers to Merlyn’s show; the MPA has bought a mask for £22,000; has suggested to the President that the Reading Room is renamed the Seligman Room; on her Minnepolis lecture; on Chaim Gross; Adrian has been rewriting his letter to her (autogr.; some water damage)
/9 MWP to WBF, 16/17 Jan. – on Roy Sieber; describes their activities; [on verso:] list of artefacts (autogr.; some water damage)
/3/10 Ibid., 20 Jan. 1958 – Adrian’s letter still has not come; discusses the ‘affaire Carlebach’; asks him to lend her the £42; is thrilled about Brenda’s mask; was hurt that MWS did not get in touch when she was here; on Roy Sieber’s impression of the MPA; George Allen is coming to vet her Art Alliance lecture; on her new place; does not think she can make it [to London] until midsummer; discusses a mask which she thinks is Bakongo (autogr.)
/11 Ibid., 23 Jan. – George and Peggy Allen are coming to listen to her Art Alliance lecture; Klejman’s lawyer has said she is libelling him; this is a lie; mentions a Baga which Carlebach paid so much for; Stevie had warned her about Klejman; is happy about the RAI (autogr.; water damaged)
/12 Ibid., 25 Jan. – on George and Peggy Allen; on George’s comments on her lecture; on going to dinner with Barbara and Charles Coleman Sellers; discusses Charles Peterson, her new landlord; on going to the Samuel Powel House (autogr.; water damaged)
/13 Ibid., 27 Jan. – on Carlebach, who has a New Hebrides head; on other artefacts; on her selling some of her pieces; mentions Brian Egerton; asks about Schwarz’s decision on the Egerton pieces (autogr.; some water damage)
/14 Ibid., 28 Jan. – is working on her piece for Maurice; has been offered a lecture tour but has said no; discusses her lectures; on the people who will be at dinner before her lecture on Friday; on having a drink with a classmate of Webster’s; on Carlebach and the stuff he gets from Nigeria; is not feeling over-well; on Adrian’s letter; asks if he knows when Eliot’s book will be out; asks if he has heard from Siroto. 3 pages (autogr.; some water damage; [on verso:] Maurice [Lavanoux] to MWP, 13 Jan. – on her lecture; WBF tried to ‘beg off’ of any article; on her writing him an article; mentions Helen Conover of the Library of Congress (tp.)
/15 Ibid., 6 Feb. – asks him to write and answer a few questions; on her Art Alliance lecture; on the threatened libel suit; her Bryn Mawr seminar begins tomorrow; she loves lecturing; David stayed with her and ate her out of house and home; on seeing the Toledo man; he proposes to her about weekly; thinks it would be wrong for her to marry anyone except WBF; McCarthy, the Director of the Rosenbach Museum, wants her to talk there; she is à la mode in Philadelphia. 6 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/3/16 Ibid., post-7 Feb. 1958 – asks him to write soon; supposes he is mad about the Klejman business; Maurice refuses to let her or any of her friends write to him in person; he was horrible about the Plass Sale and about her morals; he has lost a good many clients (autogr.) [on verso:] Phil [Lewis] to MWP, 7 Feb. – encloses a copy of the CNHM bulletin; on the Thatch Problem; has been busy; mentions Roy Sieber; he and Sally are expecting a child; mentions Folk art (tp.)
/17 WBF to MWP, 10 Feb. – hopes she will forgive him for not writing for about three weeks; explains why; on Roy Sieber’s visit; discusses the sale of the Seligman mask; answers some of her questions; is sorry to hear she is being worried by Klejman; discusses the situation; mentions Brian (autogr.; some water damage)
/18 MWP to WBF, 12 Feb. – on a letter from Margret; needs to hear from him; on developments in the King’s House compound; wants to do a piece about the installation; asks who she should do it for; on her piece for Maurice [Lavanoux]; next week is taking her Bryn Mawr girls to the UM; all her work is successful; she loves Philadelphia; on social engagements (autogr.; some water damage)
/19 Ibid., 15 Feb. – it was more than three weeks between his last two letters; on the Carlebach drumhead; he wants to take lots of Haida stuff; discusses this; on other pieces; gives some news about Duveen; mentions BEBF; thanks him for the £42 loan (autogr.; water damaged)
/20 Ibid., 21 Feb. – asks him to write to her; [almost illegible due to water damage] (autogr.)
/21 Ibid., post-24 Feb. – refers to nagging him about Maurice’s piece; he leaves for Europe on 2 Apr. and the published must have the issue before then; on her weekend in New York; on her new apartment; on the weather; wishes he was there (autogr.); [on verso:] MWP to Maurice [Lavanoux], 24 Feb. – on the Diary for the African number; gives a biography for her article; gives some captions for photographs he wanted to use; will nag WBF some more; suggests he come over when he can (tp.)
/22 MWP to WBF, post-28 Feb. – is happier than she has been for years; on her apartment in New York; thinks she is better off in Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr; on finances; is serving on the scholarship committee of the Museum Art School; Maurice [Lavanoux] to MWP, 28 Feb. – responds to some of the points in her letter [/3/21 verso] (tp.)
/3/23 MWP to WBF, post-1 Mar. 1958 – this girl will be studying in London, at the BM; she has the right kind of interest in Africa; hopes he will be helpful to her (autogr.; water damaged); [on verso:] Nancy Masland to MWP, 1 Mar. – appreciates what she has done to help her learn about African art; perhaps she and her husband will go to West Africa in the future; this summer they go to London (autogr.)
/24 WBF to MWP, 2 Mar. – has been at Ringwood for the weekend with Brian; slept in a room she slept in; they went to the Pitt-Rivers Museum; discusses this trip; also visited Salisbury Cathedral; went to Mass and had lunch with Dorothy’s son Tony and family; refers to her saying she had read an article by him on ‘African Sculpture’; wrote none of that name; will write something for Maurice this month if he can; asks when he can see her again (autogr.; some water damage)
/25 Ibid., 3 Mar. – encloses a number of documents which have been arriving for her; encloses a photograph of a Baga mask belonging to Dr E. Cassirer; on the price of the mask; the piece is better than the picture suggests; shall have to start pressing her about coming over soon; she undertook never to spend another summer in America (autogr. note)
/26 Programme for a concert by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the Toledo Museum of Art, on 3 Mar. (printed with autogr. drawings and comment by MWP referring to John Stifel)
/27 MWP to WBF, 6 Mar. – refers to his letter about the trip to Brian’s [/3/24]; she sent Mrs Carpenter her prints; sent Adrian some prints of his girls; has sent him a UM Bulletin with a photo of the Baga in it; describes it; on her new Dan; on a Bakota; asks him to remind Schwarz about Brian’s things; refers to BEBF; on the room at Brian’s (autogr.; water damaged)
/28 Ibid., 8 Mar. – asks when the Seligman mask is going to America [almost illegible due to water damage] (autogr.)
/29 Ibid., 13 Mar. – copies extract from the ‘Encyclopaedia Britannica’ stating which articles he wrote[?]; Segy has no contributions; on Siroto’s contributions; Robert Bradbury has done Benin; she is working hard on her Esigie story; was thinking of asking him to write the preface; she is allergic to criticism and spoiled; mentions Carl Coon; mentions Kluckhohn; asks him to write to her. 4 pages (autogr.; water damaged)
/3/30 Ibid., 19 Mar. 1958 – gives the title of a book; asks if he has it; refers to a review of Merlyn’s show in Art News by John Russell; is not moving now until 15 Apr.; on her new kitchen; wishes she could give a tentative date for coming to London but she cannot; on exchanging the New Hebridean piece with Carlebach; asks what word from Schwarz (autogr.; some water damage)
/31 Ibid., 21 Mar. – on a blizzard; on all the effects of the weather; she has finished Maurice’s annotated bibliography; suggests that Leon consolidate the stuff in his three little books and have Penguin publish it; it would make a knock-out book; Paper Books have asked her […?] but she would rather work on Esigie; on a little Dogon she has; on her health; she is overweight and has a cataract; on his mother overfeeding him; asks him to write (autogr.; some water damage)
/32 Ibid., post-28 Mar. – on her friend Shiro Yamaguchi; quotes from a letter from him on her ‘Walk’; mentions Olbrechts; feels better these days; congratulates herself that she settled in Philadelphia; asks him to come over and try out her guest room; her bed belonged to Ben Franklin’s daughter (autogr.); [on verso:] Henri Lavachry to MWP, 28 Mar. – was touched by her remembering him; has taken over the secretariat of the Royal Academy of Belgium; on his work; is pleased to see that she has been studying these objects which she collected with her husband (tp.; in French)
/33 WBF to MWP, 29 Mar. – has left her for three weeks with no word from him; hopes this has not had a traumatic effect on her; is trying to use his spare time for writing commitments; is concentrating on finishing a piece for Maurice; she ought to have sent him a copy of her piece; he loves to read what she writes; on her ‘Walk’; he lent it to Roy to do a review for Man; discusses it; has received the last two catalogues from the MPA; felt a pang when he saw her Ibibio mask shown as her gift; surely she remembers that she was anxious for [the BM] to have it; is now doing all the work on Man as Margret finds it too much; asks her to arrange to come over in May and stay until he goes away in Oct. (autogr.; some water damage)
/3/34 MWP to WBF, post-31 Mar. 1958 – asks if he will send a BM Plass catalogue to Shiro Yamaguchi; Maurice called her to tell her about Frans; it is sad for Margriet; hopes she will remarry; she [MWP] is juggling her beaux but does not want to marry anyone, not even him; asks if he can come over; she will come in July if she has to; asks if he still wants to read the New Yorker; describes a Dan bronze which she has no place for (autogr.); [on verso:] Shiro Yamaguchi to MWP, 31 Mar. – refers to her letter introducing Mr & Mrs E.M. Newlin; will do his best to make their stay a pleasant one; refers to meeting her and Mr Plass in 1949; has a photograph of Mr Plass taken on the occasion of the opening of his exhibition of primitive art by the late King George VI in 1951 [see MS 497/10/109]; mentions Mrs Rorer (tp.)
/35 MWP to WBF, Easter Sunday [6 Apr.] – she almost never has time to write him a leisurely letter; this morning she is peaceful and content; mentions Mrs R-P; on her Big Move; on her new place; on the local churches; describes her new apartment with sketches; includes a lengthy PS with questions which she wants him to answer; discusses Britain and the Russians at some length; asks him to write. 4 pages (autogr.)
/36 Ibid., 12 Apr. – her move is next week; she wants to know how he liked the Dan mask Duveen sent; asks him not to press her about coming to London (autogr.; page[s] missing)
/37 WBF to MWP, 13 Apr. – welcomes her to her new home; is trying to catch the post with the greater part of ‘African Art – for God’s Sake’ for Maurice; on the death of Frans Olbrechts; hopes she will write a letter to Margriet (autogr.)
/38 MWP to WBF, 14 Apr. – had a funny letter from Bentley [Bridgewater, Secretary, BM]; quotes a dialogue from it between Bentley and Adrian [Digby]; asks if Adrian expects to go back to B.H. next spring; the men are packing up her flat; refers to her ‘Walk’; on Carl Coon; she has a new small Dogon; David wants to come to Nigeria next winter; discusses Nigeria; would like his views on nuclear tests and the Russians. 4 pages (autogr.)
/3/39 Ibid., post-17 Apr. 1958 – asks him to answer this for her [letter on verso]; sends some pictures; is almost settled; feels better; Phil Dark wrote to her; on a show she is having in Toledo in Feb. or Mar. 1959 (autogr.); [on verso:] Hunter Ross, Curator, the Newark Museum, to MWP, 17 Apr. – on a Benin head he has acquired; encloses a photograph; she may be able to suggest sources for further information; on restoration (tp.; some water damage)
/40 MWP to WBF, 30 Apr. – was relieved to get his brief note; understands how he feels about her coming to London; she is content here and has several jobs to do in June and July; outlines these; the past few visits to London have not been happy for her; explains why; to come in Aug. would be a financial sacrifice; her move was expensive; on going to Africa; at her age she needs someone to travel with her; wants to start working on her Toledo show; plans to spend time in London next summer (1959) (autogr.; some water damage)
/41 Ibid., post-5 May – asks for an answer to ‘this’ [the letter she has written on]; mentions other Benin hornblowers; her lecture at Bryn Mawr went very well; on a private view and social events; asks about the Dan mask; Duveen is not well; asks if he has bright ideas about the show for Toledo (autogr.); R. Sturgis Ingersoll to MWP, 5 May – on lunching with her; asks about four Benin hornblowers in the United States (tp.)
/42 MWP to WBF, 19 May – asks why he does not write more often; wrote to Newark about their Benin head [see /3/39 verso]; asks if Schwarz has answered about the Egerton pieces; asks him to send back the picture of David and the Dan mask, and comment on the mask; asks if he is trying to get rid of her; he does hurt her feelings; everything else is going well except she is broke; Carlebach has sold the big Baga; Mrs R-P can bring it; on arrangements for sending it (autogr.; some water damage)
/3/43 WBF to MWP, [25 May] 1958 – is saddened and dispirited by her [letters?]; does not suppose she means to be cruel; she has been playing with his feelings; when she left England she talked about coming back in Apr. or May; then mentions of her return dropped out of her letters; on her finding her proper home in Chetwynd; for a time he did not press her; then she talked of financial difficulties; then she invited him to visit Philadelphia; she then mentioned that she could come about 28 June; she then changed the date to 8 Aug.; on seeing her in Nigeria, even with David; she cannot understand the effect this disappointment is having on him; knows that she is ceasing to love him; refers to the hard, unfeeling shell which grows on her in America; the protestations of happiness have not seemed entirely convincing; on her need for two homes; thinks she should spend half her time on each side; on getting a lettable flat in London; on their disappointment with her last visit to London; asks her to come from July-Sept.; on the things he must do before he goes to Nigeria; on accommodation; mentions Princess Alice coming to the RAI Garden Party; asks if she can come to the event; gives an account of the state of his writing commitments; discusses Eliot’s book at some length; on his work for Maurice L.; agreed to wrote something on the Seligman mask for L’Œil; on the two books to be published in Prague; on the article on metalworking in tribal art which he is doing for Grottanelli; is getting on well with Man. 4 pages (autogr.; water damaged; page[s] missing?)
/44 MWP to WBF, 26 May – sends an appeal for help; Kathy asked her to take care of a woman from Sierra Leone whose niece has a scholarship to Bryn Mawr; she is of the Kiyamba tribe; describes her; is hurt that he has not written for five weeks; cannot imagine what she has done; on social events; will be less busy when the school year is over; asks about the status of the Egerton pieces; asks him to write (autogr.; some water damage)
/3/45 Ibid., 30 May [as per postmark] 1958 – on his first long letter for over a year; she delayed replying until she could think clearly; he hates the planned life but he is still young; on her health; on her choosing to live at Bryn Mawr; on her life in New York; on Francis Gibbs; on her life in Philadelphia; women must be needed or they die or go mad; she knows he needs her but for the past few years he has needed her differently; she knows he hates her to nag him about his disorderly life but she is ambitious for him; it is cruel of him to speak of her hard, unfeeling shell; discusses their relationship; thinks they should have married about a year after Webster died; it was a tragedy that she could not give him children but he needs marriage; on getting away from his mother; refers to the last time they were together; on David being there; discusses David; discusses the possibility of a short visit in the summer; on places to stay; on her finances and expenses; she must be in London in Feb. as that is when Kathy will be there; on organizing Bryn Mawr anniversary dinners all over the world; asks when he gets home [from Africa]; he and the BM are the only things in London which she loves; on Mrs R-P bringing the Baga; she [MWP] might come over in Aug. or Sept. but it would be better if he visited her; describes the flat; she could have anyone to stay the night without comments; includes a sketch. 6 pages (autogr.)
/46 Ibid., 8 June – on arthritis in her hands; on winning a quiz; discusses some financial issues at length; does not see why it is unreasonable of her to ask him to come here; this is the place for her; without him she is lost in London; refers to his eventual marriage; if he married, she would be glad but would feel deserted; resents British criticism of America; on two African women who adore America; discusses various other people present at a ceremony at Bryn Mawr[?]; wishes he would come over, even if for a fortnight; on her friends in Philadalphia; discusses love; on the price of flats in London; on looking her age; on Stevie; he must not reproach her and say that she has trifled with his feelings; since she became a Catholic many aspects of their love worry her; on Mrs R-P; asks him to tell her the status of the Egerton duplicates; discusses some artefacts; refers to her biography of Esigie; on her love for him. 4 pages (tp. and autogr.)
/3/47 WBF to MWP, 15 June 1958 – on her invitation to him to visit Philadelphia for two or three weeks; hopes he can manage it; there are many possible snags; Aug. and Sept. might be the best time but he must fit in with Adrian; it depends on whether he can make enough progress with his writing; on the pre-editing of Man for when he is in Africa; on Margret; asks if it would be all right to stay in her flat with her; if he comes he ought to spend some time at the MPA; perhaps they will help with the fare; on Fagg-Elisofon book; thinks her reasons for not wanting to come to England are misguided; mentions his comment about a ‘hard shell’; asks her to send instructions to Adrian about the Baga mask (autogr.; some water damage)
/48 MWP to WBF, 20 June – is overjoyed that he may be able to come over; he is needed to do something about straightening out the African things at the MPA; mentions Junius; is going to have him [WBF] look over things at the UM too; discusses some masks; on a cataloguing job she is doing; on a possible Publishers’ Party for Eliot’s book; mentions Dick McCaskie; on the layout of her flat; includes sketch plan; thinks the MPA will help with his fare; on flights; mentions Tom K. (autogr.; some water damage)
/49 Ibid., 6 July [as per postmark] – refers to his trip there; is excited by the prospect; on the weather; encloses clip from Bentley; asks if there is any news from Schwarz; thinks he [WBF] should bring the Egerton pieces with him; had a sad letter from Brian [not held] and the enclosed from Dorothy; gives advice about travelling by Pan-Am; suggests he bring the big Baga; Praeger is doing a lot for the Fagg-Elisofon book; Eliot is coming on 16 [July] to gather stuff for his exhibition; mentions Margret (autogr.; some water damage); [on verso:] Hunter Ross to MWP, 2 July – refers to her letter with quotations from WBF; it would be a pleasure to welcome them in Newark; on coming to Philadelphia on 11 July; on the price of her new book tp.)
.1 Bentley [Bridgewater] to [MWP], nd – on a communication from British Columbia; quotes remarks alluding to his status as a native British Columbian; will not go over the Keeper’s head (autogr.; part torn off)
/3/49.2 Dorothy Dumas to MWP, 30 June 1958 – wonders if her plans to come over are materializing; Brian hopes she will come down to the Manor House; is worried about the ménage at Ringwood; does not feel that Brian is properly looked after; on his cook; is going to see Brian for a few days to keep an eye on him (autogr.)
/50 MWP to WBF, 7 July – intends to pay his fare as soon as she has dates from him; it is because she wants to see him, not that she can afford it; has made out a budget; Mortimer has agreed to give her extra once a year to take a trip abroad; on a trip to Africa and Europe which she might take; David will do the African part with her; on his house; he and his mother live in chaos; they should clear up the mess before adding any more rooms; on his finances; suggests he get a daily woman to help keep the house in order; on the cost of the fare to America; during his visit they would entertain at her flat; on dates for his arrival; on spending her birthday with Francis; wonders how WBF will see Eliot; paying WBF’s way is possible for her but gives her the horrid feeling of buying her love; has nothing else she can sell; on clothes he should bring; thinks he will love her house; on her maid Pearlie Mae; outlines her budget; asks him to return some photos. 4 pages (autogr.)
/51 Ibid., 11 July – on travel arrangements; outlines some plans for his visit; discusses Pearlie Mae; asks him not to forget her photos; suggests they make a quik trip to Toledo and Chicago; she wants him to see the King’s House; also thinks they should drop in on Newark; one day they can ‘do’ the dealers in New York and Philadelphia; will fix up a desk so he can work in her guest room; refers to his messiness; surely he mut clear his desk before he goes away for six months; time seems to creep until his arrival; asks for his dates; refers to her birthday (autogr.; some water damage)
/52 Ibid., 15 July – on what she has been listening to on the wireless; on Hunter Ross of Newark; on suitable clothes for the heat; on his weight; on Eliot; thinks they should not go to Maine; on return travel arrangements; on arrangements for her birthday; on Francis; on Stevie (autogr.; some water damage)
/3/53 Ibid., 16 July 1958 – their letters crossed; will meet him at Philadelphia airport on 3 Aug.; on rearranging dates with Francis and Stevie; will write that she loves him as much as she ever did, but differently; this may be the result of their long separation; she feels old at last; she likes it; feels settled; on a letter from Phil Lewis; he has invited them to Chicago; Toledo has also invited them; quotes from a letter from Toledo[?]; on titles for the exhibition; he can see the Wielgus collection in Chicago; on dates; on clothes (autogr.; some water damage)
/54 Ibid., 17 July – asks him to bring her a piece of barkcloth to show Blake Godwin at Toledo; on the Baga mask; on another letter from Toledo; has accepted the invitation from Chicago so he can see the King’s House as well as Phil’s new arrangement of the primitive art collection; on dates; she wrote to Robert about WBF working at the MPA; on other social events which are planned for him; on Stevie and Francis; on looking at Julius’ stuff (autogr.; some water damage)
/55 WBF to MWP, 21 July – is growing happier by the hour as he approaches the moment of reunion; thinks they will be happier together than ever; Adrian says he must be back at work by 26 Aug.; on dates for his flights; will talk to Adrian about the Baga mask tomorrow; alludes to Customs difficulties; discusses American politics; asks her to let him know if she has certain books which he will need for his writing work; has finished the captions and bibliography for the Afro-Portuguese Ivories; refers to Maurice’s piece; asks if she has news of Fadhl el-Jamali (autogr.; some water damage)
/56 MWP to WBF, 22 July – on changing the date of his arrival; letter to follow (telegram)
/57 Ibid., ibid. – on Charlie Peterson, her landlord; on arrangements for his [WBF’s] accommodation in her flat[?]; wrote to Hunter Ross about visiting Newark; outlines details of their visit; she hopes to find material for the Toledo show; on borrowing two Fang pieces; is in New York on 1 and 2 Aug. so cannot meet him then (autogr.; some water damage)
[No number 58]
/3/59 Ibid., 22 July 1958 – has to be in New York on 2 Aug.; explains why; on the new arrangements; on her plans in New York; thinks he should take those dates for editing Man and stick to the original dates; mentions Mortimer; has had no word from Elisofon; mentions David; hates to cut short his visit but has done her best; on accommodation; is glad he will have his own bathroom and cupboards; asks him to forgive her for messing up the new plan (autogr.; water damaged)
/60 Ibid., 24 July – includes a tracing of ‘Queen Mother Head’; (autogr.; almost illegible due to water damage)
/61 WBF to MWP, 29 July – on the Sunday Times publishing a series of articles on ‘The Destiny of Man’ to mark Darwin’s centenary; refers to articles by Julian Huxley and Sir Leon Simon; this allowed WBF to ‘shoot off’ an aphorism; quotes his letter [MS 498/11/227], which was published; quotes a response he received on a postcard [MS 498/11/229]; deduces it is from his school and university friend [Hugh] Edwards; hopes to finish Maurice’s piece tonight or tomorrow; on the Baga (autogr.; some water damage)
/62 MWP to WBF, 30 July [as per postmark] – hopes he gets this in time to bring one or two Merlyn Evans catalogues; on the illnesses of Evans, Mike and Bryan Robertson; on Geraldine [Bruckner] and Sturgis [Ingersoll]; on other social engagements; Chicago is thrilled they are coming; on people he will meet; bought a present for his mother; told John Stifel no party in Toledo. 2 leaves (autogr.; some water damage)
/63 Ibid., 25 Aug. – could not wait to see his flight take off; misses him already; it was wonderful having him there; he is a credit to her, the BM and his mother; on the weather; sends some addresses for Christmas cards[?];(autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/3/64 Ibid., 30 Aug. 1958 – thanks him for the Benin piece; Alan Sawyer wrote to her about a show held in New York in 1927; George Harding bought six African pieces; is in Toledo; on a dinner and the other guests; tonight there is a dinner at the Biggers; has started writing personal letters to the proposed exhibitors; will probably write him millions of letters; if he has time asks him to send her comments about any tribe; loves bringing in his name; misses him particularly out here; supposes she usually behaves badly when she is around him; but she loves him and needs him in her life; if there were someone or something in London she needed beside him she would work harder to get over for a long stay; if someone would offer her $350 a month for six months she would let her apartment and come over (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/65 Ibid., 3[?] Sept. – is just back from Toledo; she, M. Otto, John Stifel and Frances Biggers had a long talk; Charles Parkhurst will loan anything; includes a diagram; everyone is being very cooperative; on the galleries she was due to have; has all her bread-and-butters to write; thanks him for the photos; asks about the London race riots; asks how he is feeling; on the weather; she misses him; asks him to send Maurice a print of the new Ife terracotta for the frontispiece of the African Issue of Liturgical Arts (autogr.; some water damage)
/66 Ibid., 5 Sept. – spent yesterday in New York; Goldwater is cooperative about Toledo; asks him to explain the relationship between Azande and Mangbetu; on the weather; misses him more and more, especially at museums; has a headache; on her day’s activites; is going to Eliot’s first show; she must write to Mel and tell him she cannot come to the Congress; four UM pieces are missing after the débacle at Temple University; Gifford has done over the stores very well (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/67 WBF to MWP, ibid. – had a happy time with her in America; is grateful to her for making it possible; encloses a selection of his photographs; on the Polaroid photos of her home; hopes she will manage to come out to Ife and Benin for a week or two; on a new book on Benin by a man named Tong (autogr.)
/68 Evening Standard, 19 Sept – ‘Are we driving our best friends away?’ (newspaper cutting)
/3/69 MWP to WBF, 20 Sept. 1958 – is working on the Toledo show; they forgot to go to Mrs White’s so he could see her pieces from Guillaume; most of them are very fine indeed; Carlebach has acquired two stone figures; discusses one of these; she showed him her list; he is delighted that so many of the selected pieces originated from him; Robert is loaning 16 of the 22 pieces selected from the MPA; on two of the pieces which he will not loan; she has probably too much Dogon and ought to weed some out; on pieces to be loaned by Col. Gregg of the CNHM; on Mel Herskovits; on Lipschitz; the Wolfs are grieved that they did not meet him; is going to lunch with George Allen tomorrow; on his wife, Peggy; on 3 Oct. is going to B[ryn] M[awr] for a faculty meeting; thinks she could do a course in Modern Art; Mortimer is going to try to squeeze out enough money for her to pay her debts; then she will make an effort to let her place, join him at the end of the Africa trip and make the trip home with him; on a letter from Bentley B.; has been neglecting B.B. and Tom recently and must write; on a letter from Wolf Stechow who is upset about Bernheimer; does not believe it was suicide (autogr.; some water damage)
/70 WBF to MWP, 25 Sept. – on a lunch party at George Pitt-Rivers’; lists people who were there; on Pitt-Rivers’ attitude towards his sons; on the sale of his Benin items; encloses a copy [not held] of his piece on Ife; on sacrifices at Ife; on a stone figure; on money; is leaving for Africa on 9 Oct. (autogr.; some water damage)
/71 MWP to WBF, 29 Sept. – on the Ife title; on a letter from Charles; will send him some money; is going to Eliot’s watercolour show opening tomorrow; on other engagements; on the stone figure; more fine pieces are being offered for Toledo; hopes he can remember the difference was in the price asked by Charles and the price they thought it was; asks him to let her know when he arrives safely in Ife; their article is in th second volume of the L.A. Quarterly; on going to New York; Newman is thrilled over seeing him in Africa (autogr.; water damaged)
/72 WBF to MWP, ibid. – sends two reviews of the book; has written a letter to the Editor of the Art News and Review; on Duerden; asks if Mrs R-P got his note; on books (autogr.)
/3/73 MWP to WBF, [?] Sept. 1958 – is getting on well with her request letters; is going to New York; on his pictures; had a disappointing letter from Mrs Trowell[?]; asks him to send her a piece of barkcloth; on using a photograph for the catalogue cover; mentions Fro; thinks WBF’s visit to the MPQ did lots of good; mentions Robert and Douglas Newton; on the Mayan show (autogr.; water damaged)
/74 Ibid., 13 Oct. – on her work on Toledo; on a new New York collector named Harold Rome; on his collection; on some of his pieces; on the weather; on her health; on Goldwater; asks if he will write a short essay on Benin for what she is showing at Toledo; is going to Boston for Eliot’s opening (autogr.; some water damage)
/75 WBF to MWP, 14/16 Oct. – has been in Nigeria four days; has stayed with Biobaku and with the Willetts; on his drive; on going to Lagos to meet Kenneth; on his work there; on three pieces by the Master of the Uneven Eyes; on the time airmail takes between London and Ife (autogr.; some water damage)
/76 MWP to WBF, 18 Oct. – has not had a word from him; on the MPA Metal show; on R[obert] G[oldwater]; on the opening of Eliot’s Masterpieces show; on social engagements; Toledo is going well; is ready to start the catalogue; on her health; on the Mayan show (autogr.)
/77 Cyril [Lloyd] to MWP, 6 Oct. – refers to her letter [not held]; discusses his title; on WBF and the Athenaeum; on Hecksher; on his work; refers to a legal action she is involved in; wonders if that was the reason he had not heard from her; will be in Canada next year and will visit Philadelphia (tp. with autogr. addition from MWP to WBF discussing the letter) [enclosed with /3/76]
/78 18 Oct. – text headed by MWP ‘The African Image Introduction’; MWP to WBF – on the Toledo catalogue; thinks it necessary to remark on the soaring prices; will try to make the captions as good as possible (tp. with autogr. note)
/79 MWP to WBF, 25/28 Oct. – is leaving her desk to go to the theatre with the Taylors; has been ill with virus pneumonia; on Pearlie Mae; mentions Charlie Peterson; she has 161 pieces promised; on Heinrich of Toronto; is going to New York; on social engagements; on Ruth Merriam; on Eliot’s show; is dying to have pictures of the pieces Roy is sending. 3 pages (autogr.)
/3/80 Ibid., 31 Oct. 1958 – [largely illegible due to water damage] (autogr.)
/81 Ibid., 11 Nov. – was delighted with Roy’s offer and the photos; Thames and Hudson have asked to see her Oba Esigie biography; is going to the West Indies 23 Dec.-4 Jan.; on her crowded social programme; had a letter from Charles R[atton] (autogr.; some water damage)
/82 Ibid., 14 Nov. – refers to the letter from Charles saying she still owed him money; asks if he did a rough draft of the introduction; on the Toledo show; is lecturing at the Plastic Club next week; the second volume of Literary Arts still has not come out; on writing to Tom K. about gifts to the Tate being tax deductible; on making a corporation called Friends of the British Museum (autogr.)
/83 Ibid., 22 Nov. – every newspaper is printing articles like the enclosed; will return the Benin piece; on her health; is waiting for a call from the Stillmans who do not like the book; George Allen adores it; has been asked to lecture to the African Students’ League on 16 Jan.; had another wild letter from Tom; asks if he knows about the Olvert[?] collection; on Roy (autogr.; some water damage)
.1 Cuttings about General Karim Kassem. 2 leaves (printed; one damaged)
/84 MWP to WBF, 22 Nov. – quotes from an amusing letter from Tom; discusses Tom further; she is going to New York; on Francis; on her health; on her lecture to the Plastic Club; is going to be on ‘What in the World?’ on 30 Nov.; Eliot is taking photos for the Toledo catalogue; on Mrs R-P; on the launch of the Elisofon book[?]; on her Oba Esigies book; thinks she will go to Toledo to discuss layout; includes diagram; on the catalogue[?]; leaves on her cruise on 23 Dec. (autogr.; some water damage)
/85 ‘Benin Art: the Decline from Ife’ (tp.); MWP to WBF, 27 Nov. [as per postmark] – refers to the essay; on the UM and David; on a letter from Blake (autogr.)
/86 Frances [Stillman?] to MWP, 26 Nov. – sends her slips back; is sorry not to be more accommodating; hopes her hives are better (tp. with autogr. notes from MWP to WBF about Roy’s pieces) [enclosed with /3/85]
/3/87 MWP to WBF, 15 Dec. 1958 – wishes him a merry Christmas and a happy New Year; on a dinner she went to; on working at Toledo; has not heard from him for weeks; has 180 pieces in the show (autogr.; some water damage)
/88 WBF to MWP, 17 Dec. – hopes she enjoys the cruise; has difficulty finding time for correspondence; explains what he has been doing; on Roy and Arnold; would love her to come out and spend his last two or three weeks in Nigeria with him; outlines possible travel arrangements (autogr.; some water damage)
/89 MWP to WBF, 20 Dec. – hopes to hear from him before she leaves; is glad she saw Arnold Newman and had news of WBF; quotes from a review by Elinor Munro of the book; J.J. Sweeney wanted to review the book but Eliot would not have it; hopes he has Literary Arts by now; misses him every day; is trying to lead her last years so that he will be fond and proud of her; the Toledo show is going well; on the map (autogr.; some water damage)
/90 WBF to MWP, 27 Dec. – hopes she is having a pleasant cruise; hopes she received his last letter before she left; describes his working Christmas; on the festivals at Benin; on excursions outside of the city; asks her to send a photograph or drawing of Wielgus’ mask (autogr.; some water damage)
/91 Flyer for show at the Toledo Museum of Art, 1-30 Mar. 1958 (printed; water damaged)
/92 MWP to WBF, post-4 Jan. 1959 – is working on the idea of coming to Africa late Mar. or early Apr.; loathed the cruise; on people she met; mentions Martinique; discusses Roy; on Chaim; on an Eastern Nigerian student she met; mentions Pearlie Mae (autogr.; some water damage)
/93 Ibid., 7 Jan. – on letters from ‘An Eye for Beauty’; refers to his letter; discusses some artefacts; on Klejman; she has 186 pieces for Toledo; they are being difficult about her text; on Otto [Wittmann] (autogr.; water damaged; incomplete?; [on verso: Brother G. Francis, Editor, Four Quarters, to MWP, 31 Dec. 1958 – on her article on beauty in Liturgical Arts [/12/58]; invites her to contribute an article to his magazine; on word limit and deadlines)
/3/94 MWP to WBF, 11 Jan. 1959 – is talking to the students at International House next week; on what she will talk about; on her health; she feels her age; on Francis; she is quite content but has no joie de vivre; on Sturgis’ mother; on a fire at Bryn Mawr; on Ro (autogr.; some water damage)
/95 Ibid., 16 Jan. – on his introduction for Toledo; St Louis and Kansas City want a show next autumn; on Blake, the director at Toledo; on the catalogue; her talk at International House had to be rearranged; on Mrs von Bulmoes; on the students[?]; on Bill […?] breaking up an International House lecture; on an Ashanti boy she met; is having nothing more to do with International House; on her income tax (autogr.; some water damage)
/96 Ibid., post-22 Jan. – all is going well; on her health; recalls a migraine she had the day she first brought Webster to the Department of Ethnography; Pearlie Mae helped her when she had a fit; on the ibeji which the AMNH got from Lemaire; on an Oron piece (autogr.; some water damage; [on verso:] Dick [Gregg], Toledo Museum of Art, to MWP, 22 Jan. – sends copies of the Feb. Calendar of Events; asks her to call at the UM and ask about the African reproductions requested from them; on Mr Gross’ bronze corneater (tp.)
/97 MWP to WBF, post-22 Jan. –on Carl Coon; on Mel Herskovits; on a lunch for Eliot; on the cost of airmail; on a party she gave before the Private View at the PAFA where Eliot had watercolours; mentions Dick [Gregg]; on the MPA’s next show; on a mask show at Toronto (autogr.; in pencil, much illegible); [on verso:] Robert Goldwater, Director, the Museum of Primitive Art, New York, to MWP, 22 Jan. – refers to her letter [not held]; on the Toledo show; is sorry none of them can be at the opening; on her and WBF’s articles in Liturgical Arts [MWP’s article is /12/58]; on his next show (tp.)
/98 Ibid., 25 Jan. – if she survives the week at Toledo she will write to him about it; on Dickie de R.; on all the people who sent her flowers; her life has been wonderful; the last years have been lighted by him (autogr.; some water damage; [on verso:] Richard N. Gregg, Toledo Museum of Art, to MWP, 20 Jan. – thanks her for returning the catalogue; on arrangements for her visit; mentions Otto (tp. with autogr. note by MWP)
/99 Toledo Blade, 2 Feb. – ‘“Social Lion” Added’ by Terry Roloff; article on the Toledo show (newspaper cutting)
/3/100 MWP to WBF, pre-4 Feb. 1959 – cannot act on his advice yet as she has so many commitments; her lectures are going well; her first Bryn Mawr seminar begins on 4 Feb.; is in a Walter Mitty mood; cannot afford two flats; will get a cheap furnished flat for her stay (autogr.)
/101 Ibid., 6 Feb. – the Toledo show is over and is fantastically successful; on some of the pieces in the show; she was sick for two days when she got home; Sturgis and Maurice Lasensky came; the newspapers were a little overdone; on three errors in the catalogue; he must think up a better name for Third Style; on a catalogue[?]; the show is booked for Philadelphia, Kansas City, St Louis, Dallas and New Orleans; asks if there is any hope of getting anything from BEBF; on an awful Klej. story (autogr.; some water damage)
/102 WBF to MWP, 13 Feb. – thanks her for catalogue and letter; congratulates her; discusses the catalogue; discusses some of the pieces in the show; asks her to tell him when she is coming here (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/103 MWP to WBF, 15 Feb. – hopes the Toledo catalogue has reached him; discusss it; asks him to contact her if he wants more copies; has been looking up rams in the encyclopaedia of natural history; misses having great pieces near her; on some of her artefacts; includes drawings; on a summer show; on some of the pieces in this show (autogr. with drawings; some water damage)
/104 Ibid., ibid. [continuation of /3/103] – mentions Ife bronzes; mentions Third Style; on the places her show is going to; on Kathy, who is not going to Japan or India for health reasons; on her own health; she will try to get a small flat in London; Langton is in hospital; on a ‘travelling fair’ with which she is involved (autogr.; some water damage)
/105 Ibid., ibid. – 21 Feb. – asks him to send her a cable; has not heard from him since before she went to Toledo; on responses to her catalogue; on the BM dinner on 24 Feb.; on her health; on her doctor; on the weather; on Roy Sieber (autogr.; some water damage)
/106 Ibid., 24 Feb. – refers to his letter; discusses errors in the catalogue; asked Otto to send him 12 catalogues; will send him prints from the slides John Stifel made; on her health; is coming to London on 21 June with Kathy; on her metals show in the fall (autogr.; some water damage)
/3/107 Ibid., post-26 Feb. 1959 – discusses the Toledo show further; on some of the pieces in it; on Patrick Lindsay; criticizes some of his criticisms; refers to the letter on verso; on her first TV appearance on ‘What in the World?’ (autogr.; some water damage); [on verso:] Louis DeV. Day, UM, to MWP, 26 Feb. – on her appearance on ‘What in the World?’ on 14 Mar.; encloses a cheque for $100 (tp.)
/108 Notice of a talk by MWP on ‘African Tribal Sculpture’ on 26 Feb.(printed); MWP to WBF, nd – includes transcript of letter from Blake Godwin, 22 Feb., praising ‘The African Image’; also quotes from a letter from Otto; is grateful to WBF for all he did to help her get started on the Toledo show (autogr.)
/109 MWP to WBF, 1 Mar. – on a [metalwork?] show which Fro has asked her to do; the Oni of Ife has loaned some heads; Clifford Shields would bring them over and return them at the end of the show; asks him to talk BEBF into this; it will not just be a lost wax show but all kinds of metalwork; lists some of the pieces; asks him if he would do a Third Style essay; discusses some more artefacts; her encephalogram is tomorrow (autogr.; some water damage)
/110 Ibid., post-4 Mar. – on Hunter Ross; copies out Blake Godwin’s letter again; sends the ‘silliest’ of the newspaper pieces on the show [perhaps /3/99]; has been in New York three days; on people she has seen; on her health; Goldwater is interested in the metals show; discusses the show; on a lettr from Robert Dick-Read (autogr.; water damaged); [on verso:] Hunter Ross to MWP, 4 Mar. – congratulates her on the material assembled for the Toledo show; on the catalogue; wishes he could have seen the installation; is enjoying the Elisofon-Fagg opus; his museum is exhibiting many of its best pieces to celebrate their 50th anniversary (tp.)
/111 MWP to WBF, 17 Mar. – on the Ayrtons; asks when he is leaving Africa; on her appearance on ‘What in the World?’; on social events; she wrote a piece for ‘Expedition’; discusses some artefacts; mentions For, Kidder and Rodney Young; quotes from a letter from Bentley [Bridgewater]; asks him to let her know what metalwork BEBF can lend; Arnold Newman is going to send them copies of the Tada photos; wrote to Mr Francis; asks if he sent his Boucher drawings to Charles; wishes he was here instead of the Ayrtons; has not had any political commentary from him for ages; on a review of the Elisofon-Fagg book in the Times Literary Supplement; quotes from it a passage mentioning Quint (autogr.; some water damage)
/3/112 WBF to MWP, 23 Mar. 1959 – knows it is a long time since he wrote; explains the reasons; is on his longest trip yet, to Iwo, Oyo and Iseyin; is flying to Accra on 9 or 10 Apr.; will have done about 22,000 miles by car; on his health and weight; has taken 1700 photographs; should be able to make up several picture books; has one in mind for Herbert Read to be called ‘Seven Yoruba Masters’; wishes she could have been with him for part of the time; on her health; 21 June seems a long way ahead; she should be hearing from Frank McEwen about a project in 1960 in which he has been asked to take part (autogr.; some water damage)
/113 MWP to WBF, 27 Mar. – it has been four weeks since she heard from him; has been pleading for news of what Nigeria can do for her metal show opening on 15 Sept.; cannot do anything about the catalogue and it must all be laid on before she comes to London; describes the show in case he has not had her letters about it; on pieces she is going to include; on the Ayrtons’ visit; on the death of her cousin Clarke Salmon; on his son (autogr.; some water damage)
/114 Ibid., 30 Mar. – refers to a letter from him; cannot understand how he has not had dozens from her, mostly about her metal show; it will be no good unless BEBF via the Oni will be helpful; she wrote pages about her tests; on a clot in her temple; she has lived a long time and has had a lovely life; refers to his 1700 photographs; her trip is for Kathy and Bryn Mawr; quotes from a letter from Bentley; on the Bryn Mawr dinner on 24 [June]; on his weight; on the death of Katherine Salmon’s husband, Clarke; he had given up smoking, drinking and working too hard but died anyhow; on her work at the museum; she knows she has aged a lot lately; is content in this lovely place with lots of friends; Bertha von Moschzisker drops in daily; had a very active life for her age; the stairs at the BM made her dizzy in 1952; he will have to come here in Aug. or Sept to prepare for the Metal Show (autogr.; some water damage)
/115 WBF to MWP, 11 Apr. – asks her to forgive him for not writing before he left Nigeria; describes what he had been doing; on documenting his collection in Lagos; is now at the University College of Ghana for a few days; on the college; mentions the book ‘Seven Yoruba Masters’ which he is planning; gives his upcoming itinerary, with addresses; has been trying to work on BEBF about her metals show; it would be better if she wrote to BEBF direct; loves her as much as ever (autogr.; water damaged)
/3/116 MWP to WBF, 15 Apr. 1959 – his mother wrote when a letter from MWP reached the house but she did not say when he arrived; is anxious to know about Ife bronzes for the show; it seems likely they could get bronzes from the Oni but she does not know who to write to; on her health; on a letter from Mr Francis; mentions Princess Margaret’s visits to the BM; ought to write to the Head that she [MWP] is coming over; on her plans while she is in England with Kathy; refers to her health (autogr.)
/117 Ibid., 23 Apr. – there will be letters from her piled up when he gets home; is busy with the UM summer show; discusses some Yoruba items; on a conversation with Robert Goldwater about Ife things shown in various places; on BEBF; on Roy Sieber’s opinion of BEBF; wishes she could have come to Africa; apart from her health she does not have the money; on Kathy; they [she and WBF] will have little chance to be together but she has been ill; is not up to running a flat (autogr.; some water damage)
/118 Ibid., 24 Apr. – if he had time to read anything she would send reviews of this ‘ridiculous’ book; worked at the UM all day yesterday on the summer show; on items loaned by Sturgis; she has written a letter to BEBF; is giving a lecture on 8 May at the Museum College of Art; has got out the invitations for the Oxford party to meet Kathy; on her health; on Mrs R-P; looks forward to a letter (autogr.)
/119 WBF to MWP, 26 Apr. – arrived home last night to find two letters from her; mentions Yorubaland; mentions the metals show; on her health; on her planned trip to England; it is bad for both of them not to see each other (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/120 MWP to WBF, 29 Apr. – is sure he is right about the metal show; they can plan it when she comes over; on items for the show; her doctor Isaac Sharpless died last Sunday; on her own health; on her work at the UM; on her trip to England with Kathy; will think about coming back in the autumn; it would be better for him to come here for a month (autogr.; some water damage)
/3/121 Ibid., 1 May 1959 – on his birthday; is certain he never got many of her letters; asks if he got the Toledo photos; has postponed the Metal Show until Mar. 1960; gives details of the show; on a Phrygian show; thinks she can find most of what she needs here; on the catalogue; on some things belonging to Mrs Caroll Tyson; on people who will loan items[?]; religion is a comfort; on her state of mind; she cannot get better; none of her friends would want her to live when the aphasia gets worse; thanks God for the extra time she has already had; he is the best of everything in her life (autogr.; water damaged)
/122 WBF to MWP, 4 May – sends a letter from John Stifel [not held]; was at Sotheby’s this morning for the sale of Fred Ohlman’s pieces; on some of the items sold, with prices (autogr.)
/123 MWP to WBF, 6 May – on a letter from Brian Egerton on selling items to the MPA; on her lecture for Friday night; he ignores her head in his letter; if she is not going to die she must not get excited; she should not do the lecture or the metal show but housekeeping is too easy to absorb her time; young people come to her and she enjoys the ‘elder statesman’ role; it is not Mortimer who is stingy with her; she could not afford to stay in London; there is a possibility she may but the Kathy month must be got over first; on her health; has had trouble with Mrs R-P; has changed her will to leave him a gift (autogr.)
/124 Ibid., 5 June – cannot write the kind of intimate letter she would like to write; soon they will be vis-à-vis even without hand-holding; her programme is full of Bryn Mawr things; mentions Bryn Mawr’s degree giving; on seeing a doctor; will try to come to the museum on 22 June; asks who the ‘friends’ of hers are who will think she does not love London anymore; mentions Francis; on her programme in England; does not know where she is up to in the metal show; had found some good things; lists those she still wants; hopes he has a name for the Lower Niger Bronze Industry; is glad he is doing a Nigerian show for the A[rts] C[ouncil]; the MPA are showing the ivory gong in a case with the Seligman mask; Newman is sending him photographs (autogr.; some water damage)
/3/125 Ibid., 8 June 1959 – on J. Newton Hill; on helping him get a Ford grant; he has a healthy respect for WBF; mentions Paulie Mae; on Carlebach; on David; on Arnold and Gus Newman; she [MWP] has been made a Fellow of the PMA; on the B[ryn] M[awr] and Haverford degree-giving days; he must RSVP the Bryn Mawr dinner invitation; Kathy will not attend the RAI Garden Party without an invitation; is not writing to BEBF or the SL man about pieces for the Metal Show; needs very little from abroad; wants about 3 Dan masks; on Fuller’s African things; asks him to think of a name for the third style; asks him to come over for the opening; on a discussion about how to select curators; an assistant director said that the best keeper in the Department of Ethnography at the BM thought that a classical scholar had every essential quality for a beginning curator; asks if his bicycle is working again; is sorry he gained weight. 2 leaves (autogr.); [on verso:] J. Newton Hill, Lincoln University, to MWP, 28 May – on the conversation they had; wants to explore the impact of African sculpture on modern art; hopes they are in agreement about some of these matters; within a few days he will have compiled the first statement of his proposed study; should like to send her a copy before she leaves for London; then a draft worthy of WBF’s perusal can be made; perhaps he and Louise could visit for her comments. 2 leaves (tp.; page missing)
/126 Ibid., 12 June – came to New York yesterday to see the MPA show; they are also showing the Benins which have been polished; discusses a snake plaque; Robert is in London; thinks they should have WBF over in May 1960 for the opening of the metal show; is dying to see his photographs; asks if he has talked to Herbert Read about the book; his Benin piece is in the UM magazine for July; discusses the piece; on its title; on the death of Dick-Read’s father; she is feeling well; on Kathy; asks about a second-hand edition of Blake for Tata’s boyfriend (autogr.; some water damage)
/127 Ibid., 16 June – has so much to do and appalling worries; on her arrival arrangements; on Katherine Salmon’s son, who has a brain tumour; on an appearance on ‘What in the World?’; had supper with Carl and Lisa Coon afterwards; on their house; on a social anthropologist who has taken the flat above hers; asks him to put some anemones in her room at the Connaught (autogr.; some water damage)
/128 WBF to MWP, 28 June – was reading Thurber’s ‘Midnight at Tim’s Place’; heard the news about Earl Long; mentions mental disorders in New York; refers to an interview with Norbert Wiener in the Sunday Times about the conflict between man and computing machines; thanks her for taking him to a play (autogr.)
/3/129 MWP to WBF, 30 July 1959 – refers to her happy visit; on an accident she had on the ship in which she broke her nose among other injuries; is going into hospital on 3 [Aug.] to have her nose rebroken and set straight; has been the recipient of kind attention; refers to her ‘stepped-on-by-a-camel’ story; is getting some prints of the photos not use by the Bulletin; will send article and photos soon; on a letter from BEBF; asks him to write to Dr J. [Newton] Hill (autogr.; some water damage)
/130 WBF to MWP, 1 Aug. – on her visit; asks her to come back soon; admits it would be better if he could go there; does not see any prospect of getting over before his lectures start on 5 Oct.; shall be free between the lectures on 7 Dec. and 4 Jan.; would have written earlier but has had a lot of detective work to do; on Fred; on the Kegels; discusses pieces which may have been stolen[?]; would be grateful for any information; on his Dahomean brass group (autogr.; water damaged)
/131 MWP to WBF, 7 Aug. – on her operation; mentions Fred; mentions David; asks him to write to […?]; on his RAI membership application (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/132 WBF to MWP, 11 Aug. – discusses her operation; asks her to send a photograph of the new MWP as soon as she can; does not think there is any prospect of his coming over in Sept.; on another commitment he has to lecture at SOAS; refers to his lectures at Worcester; Christmas would be convenient; on BEBF; on Fred; has been mulling over Newton Hill’s prospectus (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/133 MWP to WBF, 12 Aug. – is feeling better; on asking for damages from US Lines [written on a text from Roy Sieber on the Esirt tribe, with drawing of an Ujuj]. 4 leaves (tp. with autogr. additions)
/134 Ibid., 15 Aug. – refers to his letter; she is better; describes her injuries; on aspirin; thinks he and his mother should use holiday money to make the house presentable; suggests he buy new chairs; his mother would have less work if the house were in order (autogr.; some water damage)
/3/135 Ibid., 21 Aug. 1959 – on her health; Lipschitz came to call; people have been sending flowers; refers to a suit against US Lines; John Stifel wants her to come to Toledo for Labor Day; WBF had better send his Dahomey piece soon; thanks him for his letter; mentions the Ife head; on Sturgis; Ruth Merriam, Jean Lee and Kathy have been grand; asks who is meeting the man in Bamako; on BEBF; wonders if he would do a technological piece about the bronzes (autogr.; some water damage)
/136 Ibid., 23/24 Aug. – refers to BEBF’s letter; on her sleeping pattern; mentions Charlie Peterson; does not feel well but is considerably better; discusses Louise and Joe Newton Hill in detail; mentions Leon; is writing to Roy (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/137 WBF to MWP, 25 Aug. – on her accident; mentions her birthday; on Fred and his Paris investigations; mentions Pierre Verger; on stolen Orons; on BEBF; on Carlebach; thinks it doubtful that BEBF will do a piece in Ife in time for her; asks if she would like him to do a piece; on using the title ‘Old Faces – New Faeces: The Arts of Ife and their Setting’; is on residence duty 7-14 Sept.; on Roy’s piece (autogr.; some water damage)
/138 MWP to WBF, 29 Aug. – on her recovery; mentions Leon; on WBF’s piece ‘Old Faces – New Faeces’; discusses Expeditions; mentions Sturgis; a woman wrote and asked her to come to Lambertville to see a collection of Yoruba stuff; describes the collction which was ethnographic stuff; mentions BEBF (autogr.; some water damage)
/139 Eliot [Elisofon] to MWP, Sept. – is in the Indian Ocean[?]; has been worried about her; on his itinerary in East Africa; is working very hard[?]; on a theft from his car (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/140 WBF to MWP, 4 Sept. – the Nigerian police made it; asks her not to tell anyone in America; on visiting BEBF at Abergavenny with his mother from 17 or 18 Sept.; suggests she come over to get fixed up at East Grinstead (autogr.)
/3/141 MWP to WBF, 10 Sept. 1959 – is thrilled by the successful finish to the Duerr Whodunnit; on Carlebach; discusses K[lejman?], Kamer and Harold Rome; remembers that in Mar. 1952 she and Webster could have had almost anything from the Calcutta Museum; on ‘Tricky Dicky Davis’; Bridgewater has been quite ill; mentions Charles Ratton; on the Metal Show (autogr.; some water damage)
/142 Ibid., 17 Sept. – on ‘Old Faces & New Faeces’; asks him to get it off soon; in return she will send a list of the pieces they are showing; on the Ife head; is afraid it will not reach her in time to be photographed for the catalogue; the opening is 10 Nov.; the MPA may take the show; they are borrowing some fascinating stuff from them; lists some of these; on pieces to be borrowed from the AMNH; outlines how she will arrange the catalogue (autogr.; water damaged)
/143 Minutes of a meeting of the Fourth Street Gardening, Eating and Sporting Society, held on 20 Sept. (printed); MWP to WBF, nd – comments on the minutes; gives details of activities of the society; is pleased about the Dan figures; the show will be on the road for about a year; asks him to write a catalogue entry on the Lost Wax Process; on his huntsman; on items she is getting from Charles; does not have time to go to New York; on William Francis Gibbs; mentions Malvina [Hoffman]; is glad he has made a start on ‘Faces/Faeces’; on the title (autogr.; some water damage)
/144 MWP to WBF, 22 Sept. – on ‘Seven Metals of Africa’; it was naughty of him to go away without leaving an address; mentions the [Newton] Hills; she has an infected toe; spent time discussing his [Newton Hill’s] Ford grant; Leon Siroto had one; no one ever hears from Leon; describes her plans for the Seven Metals catalogue; practically everything will be photographed; on some of the items which will be in the show; asks if there is anyone to prosecute the thieves as he and BEBF are both on holiday; on the theft of a camera suffered by Eliot; will send the rest of what she has ready for the catalogue which is supposed to be with the printer by 1 Oct.; asks him to be in touch; she is ill. 2 leaves (tp. with autogr. additions)
/145 David Crownover to ibid., 23 Sept. – on the Metal Show; on MWP and her ailments; asks if he would send a negative of Africans pouring metal in the cire-perdue process to be blown up for the show; he [WBF] has done so much to make the show a success (tp.)
/3/146 MWP to ibid., 29 Sept. 1959 – on the Ife piece; on their letters crossing; on her TV appearances; on a leopard head she picked up at the MPA; Mrs Allen adored his epigram; asks if he got a photograph of her which she sent; on her state of mind; Turnbull will not let them have the gold Baule mask; on other gold pieces (autogr.; some water damage)
/147 WBF to MWP, 6 Oct. – on her borrowing the Smithsonian Dan; on a man bringing in figures of this kind; asked him if Mrs Frederickson would be willing to lend them; Langton is working hard on the lost-wax series; is sorry not to have produced the ‘Faecal Matter’ yet; quotes an epigram of Martial; on his Worcester lectures (autogr.; water damaged; stuck to:) WBF to MWP, 28 Aug. – on Verger’s report; on the thefts of Oron figures; several people in IFAN have been implicated in these activities; asks her not to confide in anyone about it (autogr.); [on verso:] Pierre Verger, nd – report on the theft of Oron figures[?] (tp. with autogr. additions)
/148 WBF to MWP, 7 Oct. – encloses two photos of Ife head; discusses these; also encloses two photos of his Fon brass; discusses these; Mrs Fredericks has agreed to lend the two Dan figures; should be able to send prints of them by the end of the week; on insurance; Langton has made arrangements for the consignment to reach New York on 5 Nov.; at 3 in the morning he made a start of a piece to include ‘Faces/Faeces’; it will now be called ‘Three-Cornered like a Box…’; it is about the paradox in West African ethnography; suggests other titles; is having enlargements made of negatives of pouring bronze; is glad that Bill Brice’s piece for Expedition has been well thought of; asks about her piece on the decline of Benin; should be glad of copies; on his book on Afro-Portuguese Ivories. 4 pages (autogr.)
/149 MWP to WBF, 23[?] Oct. – on going to Washington; met new Africanist called Gibson; on things she borrowed; wrote the catalogue for Seven Metals on the train; asks him to air freight the lost wax process pieces and Dahomey piece; asks for descriptions of the lost wax process pieces; does not know what Langton has made; wishes she had an assistant; on her health; mentions Mortimer; is going to New York this weekend; the MPA is loaning wonderful pieces (autogr.; some water damage)
/150 The New York Times Magazine, 25 Oct. – ‘That Museum: Wright or Wrong?’, article on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. 2 leaves (magazine pages)
/3/151 ‘Museum Flatters the Public’, article on the Guggenheim Museum (newspaper cutting)
/152 The New York Times, 25 Oct. 1959 – ‘Two Torch Bearers’, article on the Guggenheim Museum (newspaper cutting)
/153 Advertisement for ‘Sight and Insight’ by Alexander Eliot (newspaper cutting)
/154 MWP to WBF, 10 Oct. – Joe Hill has been and left a form to be filled out, as they did for Roy Sieber; Hill has progressed beyond where Roy was when he first proposed getting a Ford Foundation grant; Roy is on the Board of the Ford; discusses Joe; discusses Louise; on their children; Joe has a thing about helping his race achieve maturity; thinks he would be a wonderful assistant for BEBF; she is back to normal and wishes he was there (autogr.; some water damage)
/155 WBF to MWP, 27/29 Oct. – refers to her letter of 24 Oct. [not held]; on Brian’s annular box; discusses various other artefacts; they [the BM?] are going to have to sell their duplicate plaque; asks if she knows any gullible art galleries who would like it; on the probable reason why the MPA does not invite him to lecture (autogr.; some water damage)
/156 MWP to WBF, 2 Nov. – on Leff’s best pieces; describes the activities of the coming week (autogr.; some water damage)
/157 The American Philosophical Society, Dedication of Library Hall, 11 Nov. (printed brochure with autogr. notes by MWP)
/158 Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 18 Mar. 1785 (facsimile; inserted in /3/157); [on verso:] MWP to WBF, nd – this was a wonderful do; gives some details; tonight is the Seven Metals opening; catalogues are being mailed to him; on errors in the catalogue; on items of Ratton’s; makes other points about the catalogue (autogr.; some water damage)
/3/159 MWP to WBF, post-12 Nov. 1959 – this looks like nonsense; Eliot says he has picked up 50 Sudan pieces to bring home and a Dan bronze; asks him to drop her a line on the photos; on what she is doing; on the hotel Fred stayed in in Paris; is negotiating for a Park Lane flat from 22 Dec.-4 Jan.; on Bentley ; on her Virgin, which Christie’s say is 18th century (autogr.; some water damage); [on verso:] Gordon G. Gibson, Smithsonian Institute, to MWP, 12 Nov. – on a carving presented to the Smithsonian; sends photos; gives details; any leads she can give will be appreciated (tp.)
/160 Ibid., 14 Nov. – the Show is beautiful and a smashing success; on his little king; on a lecture she gave on early Africa; on the next lectures in the series; on her audience; on a question she tried to answer in her lecture; the Negroes of America like her; on her Negro friends; wishes he had written about Archie; has written to Margretta [Austin] (autogr.; some water damage)
/161 WBF to MWP, 19 Nov. – refers to her letter enclosing photographs from Gibson; discusses the figure; it is not a piece he would recommend any museum to buy; IFAN at Dakar could perhaps say exactly what it is; has not received Expeditions or the catalogue of her show; she never acknowledged his ‘Afro-Portuguese Ivories’; it is inscribed to her; encloses a cutting about Sudan dealers; is taking Pearson to lunch tomorrow to pump him; Traore comes up for trial next Tuesday; hopes to see Fred on Saturday on his way to the US (autogr.; some water damage)
/162 MWP to WBF, 22 Nov. – is expecting Fred about midnight with news of WBF and of Traore; will get the address of the Pont Royal from him; mentions Roland Penrose; on Posi Sharples’ suicide; the Expeditions were posted to him ages ago; will bring one in Dec.; ‘Seven Metals’ has also been posted to him; they are a small university museum and do not expect too much; on her ‘Big Blackboard’ lecture; on the audience; on a Cos Club talk next Tuesday; she wrote to Gibson; Maurice Lavanoux is coming next Wedesday; she has ‘What in the World?’ the following Monday and ‘Big Blackboard’ the next Friday; it is a pretty hard working life (autogr.; some water damage)
/3/163 Ibid., 25[?] Nov. 1959 – her lecture at the Cos Club was a roaring success; will bring the ‘Seven Metals’ slides to show him; is also bringing the catalogue and Expedition; has booked the Pont Royal in Paris for 18-22 Dec.; on John Pearson who wants to see her collection; had just had the JP cutting from WBF; it was not his JP at all; describes him; enjoyed having Fred for two nights; he went to Posy Sharples’ funeral; he loves WBF and BEBF; thanks him for the ibeji; thinks she will bring them back; wishes he could give one to the UM; they should fly to London on 22 [Dec.]; on Francis; on Goldwater, who is being odd (autogr.; water damaged)
/164 WBF to MWP, 1 Dec. – is on his way back from his ninth lecture; describes a bicycle accident; he sustained only a slight bruise on his hip; the bike is still out of commission; is delighted with her successes as a lecturer and television star; wishes he could see her catalogue; on Expeditions; asks if the catalogue is being taken over by the other museums who are to show the exhibition; if they print their own catalogue the waste of money will be enormous; is sure they will have a wonderful time in Paris; had better do a thorough study of the dealers; asks if they should see Verité’s private collection; she still does not mention his book on the ivories; asks her to have Christmas dinner with them; if David is here he had better come along too; on Posy’s death; expounds on the American way of life (autogr.; water damaged)
/165 MWP to WBF, pre-18 Dec. – will tell him in her next letter the hour of arrival in Paris on 18 Dec.; on hotel, travel and accommodation arrangements; is bringing back the two ibeji; her flat is not right for most African art; has a new elegant little Basonge; Carlebach came to the opening of ‘Seven Metals’; on the show; has a two-session ‘What in the World?’ and a ‘Big Blackboard’ talk next week; encloses a letter [not held] about her Cos Club talk; thanks him for how he has helped her in the past seven years; knows Webster would have been proud of her; asks if he would like her to review ‘Buried Cities of Africa’ for Man; Customs are holding his Afro-Portuguese Ivories; Geraldine [Bruckner] and Adrian [Digby] are rather alike; on the flat in Dolphin Square; on her departure date (autogr.)
/4 1960-61 Margaret Plass Papers
/1 N.Y. Herald Tribune, 1960 – ‘Francois Writes to Pierre’ (newspaper cutting)
/4/2/ Robert [Dick-Read] to MWP, 27 Jan. 1960 – on his ‘terrible’ university; on his work on Madagascar; quotes from a letter from Gertrude Caton Thompson on a paper he wrote; also quotes from a letter from Basil Davidson; discusses Huntingford; is determined to go to Madagascar; on raising the money for the trip. 2 leaves (tp. with autogr. additions)
/3 MWP to WBF, ‘Saturday’ – is taking Geraldine [Bruckner] to dinner before the Bambara show; on Robert D-R; thinks he should be encouraged; studies on minutiae should be done by students; on lecturing to Negro Youth Groups; on her day’s activities; on her plans for tomorrs; on the Elisofons; asks him to do something for Robert D.-R. (autogr.; some water damage)
/4 The Sunday Bulletin, 14 Feb. – ‘Founder of AME Church To Be Honored by Assembly’ (newspaper cutting)
/5 MWP to WBF, 15 Feb. – is writing at five in the morning; describes her activities the day before; on a conversation with the pastor of an AME Church at which she was guest speaker; on the pastor’s children; discusses how well she gets on with Negroes; on Christianity; on the Catholic Church in America; mentions the Simpsons; on financial matters; on WBF not sending a photo to David for his article; he is uncooperative; discusses Goldwater and the ivory gong; no one from the MPA came to the Seven Metals show; on other museum news. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/6 Ibid., 18 Feb. – on a letter from Leon; she wants to buy a sculpture; on a show at the Allan Frumkin Gallery in New York; mentions the Bambara show at the MPA; on a dinner at the guest house; discusses the [Newton] Hills; on a ‘Big Blackboard’ talk; mentions the Elisofons; mentions Muensterberger and Klejman; saw Leff; Roy wrote Frumkin’s catalogue (autogr.; some water damage)
/7 Ibid., 23 Feb. – feels fine after having had flu; hopes he has posted her a letter written en route from Worcester; she is ready for a joint party with Charlie, her landlord; on some of the people who are invited; on the furnishings in her flat; on a radio show with Jack Paar; on going to a lecture by Eliot; on the Lamonts; on her new beau Gilbert Seldes; on the feud between Klejman and Kamer[?] 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/4/8 Ibid., 25 Feb. 1960 – on the Epstein collection; maybe she will get over; on the MPA; suggests he clear up his personal correspondence at the BM; discusses the Oron Ibibio matter; on Muensterberger; on a letter from Bentley Bridgewater discussing a representative of the UM at Woolley’s funeral; on Kidder; on a letter from Ted Shipman, her International Car Hire driver; on going to Romsey Abbey with him en route to Brian’s; he [WBF] is a ‘wonderful boy’ but needs her to nag him; on financial matters; on Frumkin opening a gallery in New York; on Eliot. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/9 Ibid., Good Friday, 2 Mar. – on a show at the museum called ‘Wonder and Horror’; the title is borrowed from Penrose; on the weather; mentions how little she sleeps; on her weight; his piece in the Illustrated London News is wonderful; on a review of the African ivories book; on her TV appearances; on some of the pieces she discusses on ‘What in the World?’; mentions Jack Paar; she must send him [WBF] Hunter’s photo; is going to New York on 18 Mar. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/10 5 Mar. – Paul Henry Lang, review of Leopold Stokowski, conducting the New York Philharmonic (newspaper cutting)
/11 Madeleine W. Crosby, UM, to MWP, 5 Mar. – is uncertain as to the exact date Dr Coon will be away; on MWP becoming a panelist in time of need (tp.); [on verso:] MWP to WBF, nd – takes Coon’s or Kidder’s place when they go away; on being a regular substitute panelist; will be honoured by Bryn Mawr for her contribution to African studies (autogr.; some water damage)
/12 MWP to WBF, 19 Mar. – has not heard from him for three weeks; Stevie’s daughter Tata is getting married in the Rockefeller Church; describes the church; on Chaim’s birthday party; on Eliot and his work; on her TV work; on her upcoming appointments; on Margretta Jamieson; on various other people; mentions Mortimer; on things she wants to buy and has bought; mentions Robert Smith (autogr.; some water damage)
/13 Ibid.; 23 Mar. – on Muensterberger’s collection; on a conversation they had about the ‘scandal’; he knows all the French dealers well; on a ‘smooth’ young Bantu who is Frank McEwen’s assistant; on the prospectus of the African Congress in Salisbury; on conversations she had with the Bantu; asks who is going to Salisbury from England; lists some of those going from America; asks why they did not invite [Newton] Hill (autogr.; some water damage)
/4/14 Ibid., 31 Mar. 1960 – his catalogue came yesterday; asks if she sent him Werner Muensterberger’s letter; does not want to get involved in the strange maze of New York artistic society; is much happier with her friends in Philadelphia; on Princess Ihana of Rumania; is appearing on a TV forum with her; Margretta [Jamieson] admires him very much; asks that he take her out now and again; she sails from New York on 12 May; is not matchmaking (autogr.; some water damage)
/15 Ibid., 6 Apr. – David has not yet received the photo of the Yoruba door; asks him to answer [Newton] Hill’s letter [MS 498/15/113] (autogr.)
/16 Ibid., 1 May – on a dinner; on someone sending him photos (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/17 Ibid., 3 May – mentions Reuben Goldberg and Fro; on her two Paninis (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/18 Ibid., 12 May – mentions Zorach; her club is giving a luncheon for her; wishes they both had time for real letters (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/19 The Sunday Times, 15 May – ‘Atticus among the Art Dealers’ (newspaper cutting)
/20 MWP to WBF, 17 May – asks him to write to her; mentions Cynthia; mentions George Allen; mentions Dorothy Shipley; mentions Kathy McBride; asks a question about the Nigerian show; is going to Washington on Friday; on what she will do there (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/21 UM, Summer 1960 – Calendar of Events (printed brochure with autogr. notes by MWP)
/22 MWP to WBF, nd – hopes he is not in jail for non-payment of taxes; it is next Saturday 4 [June] that she receives her citation from Bryn Mawr; does not see how she can get over before Aug. or Sept.; explains why; asks him to write to Dr Hunter Ross; J. [Newton] Hill was delighted with his letter [MS 498/15/116]; on the Congress (autogr.; inserted in /4/21)
/23 Ibid., 4 June [as per postmark] – on the official dinner for the citation winners at Bryn Mawr; on some of the guests; on Malvina [Hoffman] who sailed for France on Tuesday; on […?] Davis who died suddenly; has been talking to Newton Hill about going to the Congress; discusses him and his wife Louise (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/4/24 Ibid., 8 June 1960 – refers to her citation from Bryn Mawr; mentions Edith Hamilton and Marianne Moore; mentions US Lines; refers to the possibility of coming over this summer; refers to Roland’s surrealist job at the ICA (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/25 Norman D. Palmer to various people, 13 June [as per postmark] – document on African Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. 2 leaves (tp. with autogr. note to MWP, saying her name should have been on the list) [phot. 115786-115787]
/26 MWP to WBF, 17 June – mentions Kidder; mentions Joe; on liking Negroes; longs for his comments on the Japanese crisis; mentions Cecil Brown (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/27 20 June – leaflet on a medication for faulty cholesterol metabolism (printed)
/28 MWP to WBF, 25 June – mentions Alioune Diop and Ben Enwonwu; mentions BEBF; on Ted Kidder; on WBF sending registry forms for the Congress to […?] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/29 Ibid., 2 July – mentions Stevenson; on the Keith Physick House; on Francis; on Harold Dunn[?]; mentions ‘What in the World?’; on a reading list (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/30 Ibid., 22 July – refers to him leaving for the Congress; on Joe [Newton] Hill; Sweeney has resigned from the Guggenheim; discusses him; she is confused by the Belgian Congo mess; on Fro meeting Olderegge in Cairo; wishes she was with him (autogr.)
/31 Joe [Newton Hill] to MWP, 25 July – shall be relieved when the opportunity arrives for him to leave for Europe and Africa; on funding; was placed on the programme for the Congress in Paris; on funds; the RAI have requested a book review from him; refers to the teaching post in Nigeria; he and Louise aim to reach London in time to work with WBF; invites her to stay; on asking Mrs Wolfe regarding help for the trip to the Congress (tp.); [on verso:] MWP to [WBF?] – [illegible due to water damage]
/32 MWP to WBF, 27 July – on the MPA; the Seven Metals show is leaving Cleveland for Santa Fé; mentions some artefacts; mention BEBF; on Joe and Louise (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/4/33 The New York Times, 31 July 1960 – ‘Easy Does It – A Director’s Resignation Questions Standards in Museum Education’; ‘A College Museum’s Collections’ (newspaper cutting)
/34 MWP to WBF, 23 Aug. – (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/35 Charles Shaw, WCAU-TV, to MWP, 6 Sept. – refers to her letter of 26 Aug. [not held]; would love to do more about the Congo; the only opportunity he has is the Sunday show; on the 25 Sept. party (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/36 MWP to WBF, 8 Sept. – on her parents; on her health; was glad to get a letter from him at last; mentions the Collins; on her love for him; she is content in her present life because she has nothing to be ashamed of; they should have married two years after Webster died; if he comes there he could stay in her flat with no one to gossip; David has written a piece for Expedition; mentions Margretta; on her TV jobs; mentions some artefacts; on ‘What in the World?’; mentions Joe Hill; mentions Kathy. 6 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/37 Ibid., post-16 Sept. – discusses the letter on verso; worked hard yesterday on her Esigie book (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage); [on verso:] Robert Goldwater to David Thomas, Arts Council of Great Britain, 16 Sept. – MWP has decided to lend the Benin Ivory Gong; she is agreeing to the loan for his exhibition in London; the gong is not to go to Manchester or Bristol; it is not to be put on exhibition at the BM; the objects will leave by air express within a week (tp.)
/38 MWP to WBF, 22 Sept. – on WCAU and Joe; on the tour of 15 Society Hill houses (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/39 Ibid., 25 Sept. – (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/40 […?], WCAU-TV, to MWP, 26 Sept. – on her ‘audience’ with Joe Hill and Norman Palmer; mentions dinner and a tour of her apartment; thanks her for her letter suggesting future participants; must do the show again soon (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/41 MWP to WBF, 30 Sept. – mentions Joe; refers to trouble in the Congo (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/4/42 Ibid., post-1 Oct. 1960 – on the gong; mentions the Arts Council; on Douglas Newton; discusses the letter on verso[?]; on getting funding for Joe[?]; on reservations at the Pont Royal; is meeting Margretta in Cairo. 2 leaves (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage); [on verso:] Joe Newton Hill to MWP, 1 Oct. – on ‘What in the World?’; on opportunities for work in Africa; he and Louise are going to New York on Monday; on his application to Guggenheim; on working in London with WBF; he and Louise want to hear about her evening with Mrs Wolfe; on a Nigerian Day celebration; expresses gratitude for the chance to participate in ‘Once Over Lightly’; thanks her for her help. 2 leaves (tp.)
/43 MWP to WBF, 2 Oct. – on a nimba loaned by Carlebach; on Jay Leff loaning an Ashanti gold disc (autogr.; almost illegible due to water damage)
/44 Ibid., 7 Oct. – on a catalogue; refers to the Raineys and David; is trying to get him over here (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/45 Ibid., 12 Oct. – on the weather; mentions Elsy Leuzinger; on Patrice Putnam; on Mortimer; on money for her trip to Egypt; on social engagements; mentions Stevie (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/46 Ibid., post-24 Oct. – hopes he meets George Danja sometime; went to the dreadful Spartacus opening; on George performing sacrifices for his dead father even though he is a Catholic; asks him about the synthesis of primitive and Catholic beliefs (autogr.; some water damage); [on verso:] Ira De A. Reid, Haverford College, to MWP, 24 Oct. – on her coming to his exhibition of Liberian masks; it will be an informal meeting with her and George Danja of Liberia; on travel arrangements (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP on Ira Reid and Joe [Newton Hill])
/47 MWP to WBF, 25 Oct. – on the Aug. issue of Man; African studies are in their infancy; feels humble to be considered as an expert; she relies on him; regrets that their correspondence has broken down; has not heard from him since early Sept.; on her lecture on Liberian masks for Ira Reid; is lecturing at the Har Zion Synagogue the next day; on Ira Reid and his wife; on entertaining a Church of England bishop; on Nora Waln who has given her letters to Bosshart and the Begum Aga Khan in Aswan; wishes he would write to her; on Kennedy (autogr.)
/4/48 Ibid., 29 Oct. 1960 – on the Liberian masks; mentions Joe; Roy is applying for a Guggenheim to study African collections; mentions Ralph Bunche (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/49 The Art Committee of Har Zion Temple, flyer for ‘The Truth about the Congo’, a lecture by MWP to be given on 1 Nov. (printed); [on verso:] MWP to WBF, nd – on her lecture; wishes he would write to her; mentions Bryn Mawr; mentions Julius; on going to Cairo[?] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/50 MWP to WBF, 2 Nov. – her synagogue talk was a riotous success; the night before she talked on the Poro and especially on Liberia; billed with her was George Danja; on the ritual sacrifices he performed on the death of his father; asks what he thinks of Carl’s Lumba story (autogr.; some water damage)
/51 WBF to MWP, 6 Nov. – on hearing her voice [on the phone]; on loving a cyclothyme; alludes to her referring to taking her own life; describes what his own life would be like were she to do so; she seems to have ‘gone off’ God in her depression; knows that God has given her the spiritual strength to endure suffering; love is the cure for all ills; mentions Sister Sarah; there is a point which he made in a letter last year; discusses suicide and its legal aspect; if she committed suicide and left him a legacy, he would give it all away; asks her to show his letter to Kathy McBride and Ernest Harding; wants her to answer (autogr.; some water damage)
/52 MWP to WBF, 15 Nov. – on the Congo; on Joe Hill; mentions the Pont Royal; on his staying there one night; on social engagements; on a conversation with Ted Kidder (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/53 Margretta [Jamieson] to MWP, 22 Nov. – on the trip to Cairo; on hotel reservations; on the itinerary; on having introductions for Cairo; on sight-seeing; on clothing (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP, commenting on the letter; asks him to send her a cheque; Doubleday have commissioned a book from her on the Aswan Dam; she could crowd her life with lectures and articles if she wanted to)
/4/54 MWP to WBF, 25 Nov. 1960 – had a letter from Joe Hill on the inauguration of Zik; he could not stand Lagos; Joe told her that WBF was writing to her; Joe was surprised at how different African Negroes are from American ones; he is going to be briefed at the State Department (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/55 Ibid., 27 Nov. – on the background to her trip to Egypt; on travel arrangements (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/56 Ibid., post-4 Dec. – on her work; her friend Margaret Bache died on Saturday; on members of her family; tomorrow is her lecture on Africa; Joe and Louise are coming to lunch; refers to the letter on verso; on politics; on the Doubleday book; on Mrs Taylor; hopes he can drop her a line before 22 Dec. when she goes to New York; flies on 23 Dec. 3 leaves (autogr.); [on verso:] Joe [Newton Hill] to MWP, 4 Dec. – on the briefing for his assignment in Guinea; is therefore in New York; needs money for innoculations for his family; on the responsibilities of the Guinea post; on politics; his thoughts about Africa will not dwarf his original interest. 3 leaves (autogr.; water damaged)
/57 MWP to WBF, post-14 Dec. – gave Sturgis WBF’s Nigerian catalogue for Christmas; on Joe Hill’s appointment in Lagos; on his daughter who will act as his secretary; has not had any word from him or Margretta about changes of plan; on plans for Christmas Eve in Paris; on the Seven Metals show; on the weather; is going to the theatre with Marian Wescott (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage); [on verso:] R. Sturgis Ingersoll to MWP, 14 Dec. – thanks her for WBF’s catalogue; wishes her luck on her exciting voyage (tp.)
/58 MWP to WBF, 20 Dec. – refers to a letter from him; has told him about the trip; expects him at the Pont Royal on 24 Dec.; on plans for their time in Paris; on travel arrangements; Bertha gave a supper party for her; describes what she wore; thanks him for the $350; on plans for time in New York before she leaves; on other social engagements; on coming to London in Jan.; on Brian; on Ted Shipman; on plans to go to Bristol (autogr.; some water damage)
/59 The New York Times, 31 Dec. – ‘Study in Similarity: One Is French, One American’ (newspaper cutting)
/4/60 MWP to WBF, 29 Jan. 1961 – refers to being together in Paris and London; they should not ever plan anything together; it is an impossible situation; she finds contentment here; wishes he could find someone of his age to love; on going to Mass; on the weather; on her Egyptian notes; has two 30 minute TV shows scheduled; mentions Nora (autogr.)
/61 Ibid., 17 Feb. – asks what has become of him; on her TV shows; on appearing on the Public Affairs Programme; on her fans; on cooking for a party at Merrill Brockway’s; on the guests; on a piece by Stewart Alsop; on a lecture at Shipley School; Margaret Bache died; on having people to lunch and dinner; mentions Charlie, her landlord (autogr.; some water damage)
/62 Ibid., 27 Feb. – mentions Junius Bird; on travelling (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/63 WBF to MWP, date illegible due to water damage, pre-5 Mar. – asks her to forgive him for not writing sooner[?]; on coming to see her in May or June; will write to Robert to see if he will pay the fare; is going to Germany on 5 Mar.; outlines his itinerary; David has not sent the photo which is urgently needed; Catherine is arriving from Nigeria to have a fifth baby; refers to the death of Lumumba; mentions Nkrumah (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/64 Ibid., 1 Mar. – Robert Goldwater’s show ‘Out of the New Nations of Africa’ opens on 15 May; on TV appearances; suggests he [WBF] arrives on 18 [May]; on appointments; Robert says he cannot pay WBF’s fare; refers to WBF doing a Nigerian show for the MPA; suggested Goldwater send WBF’s quarterly cheque to her; on their itinerary in America (autogr.)
/65 Ibid., 5[?] Mar. – refers to her previous two letters; she wants him there on 19 May for ‘What in the World?’; on the pay; Robert will not pay expenses; on his new show ‘Art of Africa’s New Nations’; thinks Robert wants the Nigerian show next year; on their itinerary; she will come to Europe in the fall; hopes her plans suit him; will bring the gong in the autumn (autogr.)
/66 Ibid., 11 Mar. – on the address in Germany; asks him to confirm the American dates she has made; is lecturing today on Africa to the N.J. State Teachers’ Association; is then going to Washington; is doing Jury Service; on the other jurors; is feeling fine but tired; mentions Eliot; on an article in last week’s Life on the Etruscan fakes; wishes he would move there for a few years; on Stuttgart (autogr.)
/4/67 Ibid., 18 Mar. 1961 – refers to his letter [not held]; is pleased he enjoyed Berlin; wishes the BM could arrange something through the American Cultural Attaché’s office for him here; it was done for Brian Robertson and John Rothenstein; tells him not to bring slides; America is not up to him; on her own lectures; on details of travel; on money; on places they will visit; asks about the Yellow Book cheque; more on money; asks him to send Bascom’s title; asks him to leave a note at the Savoy for her doctor friend from Seattle asking them to the Plass Collection at the BM; thinks he should only stay three weeks; on details of his visit (autogr.)
/68 Ibid., ibid. – on addressing her previous letter to Barnes; on dates for his trip to America; Toledo wants a political talk which he cannot do; on her lectures called ‘Egypt: Key to Africa’; on money; she cannot justify being with him longer than that; the dates she has set are best if she does not want to upset people; her reputation in Philadelphia is important; this way she can get to Europe in autumn or winter, maybe for Christmas (autogr.)
/69 Ibid., [19] Mar. – on two letters posted yesterday [/4/67 & /4/68]; on a lunch; David will be away so will not see WBF; Bill hopes he will see WBF in London in July; on Margretta [Jamieson]; mentions Brian Robertson’s State Department grant; more on David; on a Benin book; mentions Marion Davis; on people she is writing to; on the cost of their trip; on the Munich Pinakothek; on Berlin; is booking his flight from London; on his appearance on ‘What in the World?’ (autogr.)
/70 Louise [Newton Hill] to MWP, 23 Mar. – refers to her own long booklet; Joe wanted to write but was prevented from doing so; on MWP’s letter [not held]; on their accommodation; on their staff; lists minor irritations; on Joe’s work; mentions Pat Murphy; asks about BEBF; on Joe’s review in Man; refers to MWP’s Egyptian treasures; mentions Sylvia; they miss MWP’s telephone calls; asks about teakwood furniture. 6 pages (autogr.)
.1 Cartoon – ‘See? These people can’t stand on their own two feet’ (newspaper cutting, enclosed with /4/70)
/4/71 Janet Glen to MWP, 25 Mar. 1961 – has just returned from Clark University; on a lecture she gave on Rhodesia; refers to MWP’s letter [not held]; has a complex background which should be valuable financially to someone; gives biographical details; opportunity sometimes comes through such contacts. 3 pages (autogr.; water damaged) [on verso:] MWP to WBF, nd – discusses the letter (autogr.)
/72 MWP to WBF, 29 Mar. – refers to his last letter; on her cousin Katherine Salmon’s son, who died last Sunday; on Katherine Salmon’s mother; on her own latest TV programme about insomnia; on Katherine; on her own projected trip; she cannot lose her reputation at nearly 65; on her responsibilities in Philadelphia; discusses African art; Nelson has lost interest in the MPA; doubts they will ever give him a Nigerian show; on their new show ‘Art of the New Nations’. 4 pages (autogr.)
/73 Ibid., ibid. – sends a financial report; on sending him money; on Eliot; on the possibility that K. may die; thinks they had better cancel going West; feels well (autogr.)
/74 WBF to MWP, 3 Apr. – on grief; on her three letters written at one time; they represent aspects of her state of mind about his visit to the US; if she wants him to come in May he will do so; mentions Adrian; discusses money; has just finished a contribution to Current Anthropology (autogr.; some water damage)
/75 MWP to WBF, 4 Apr. – is arranging a show at her club of ‘Animals in African Art’; is speaking on 26 Apr.; on Laura Bernholt; her own work has piled up alarmingly; on [Jay] Leff; on Mel H[erskovits]; on WBF’s trip; on making another itinerary in the autumn; has had no reply from Sieber or Bascom; on getting him a grant from the State Department; Margretta got Brian Robertson his grant; on places they might go; tells him not to be ridiculous about embarrassing her; she has many commitments in different fields; is too old to be particularly interested in the second-rate collections of American museums; has put out invitations for a party for him; late May and early June is the ‘season’ as in London; on Carlebach; likes the idea of Munich in late Sept. (autogr.)
/4/76 Ibid., 6 Apr. [as per postmark] 1961 – sends a cheque; still no word from Leff, Wielgus, Sieber or Bascom; the idea was too quickly hatched and her enthusiasm overcame her good judgment; on planning a sane autumn trip; on the cost of flights and hotels; on the State Department grant; it would have to go through Digby and Francis; on asking Margretta to whom the request should be directed; tells him the points he should stress; asks about dates for Munich; she will be away from 1 July-10 Sept. at Cape May; she needs this rest; describes how busy she is; mid-Oct.-mid-Nov. would be the best time; discusses the places they might go to; six weeks is imperative; she could not take off a solid six weeks after three weeks abroad; on lectures she has booked; on Cape May; mentions Kathy, Bill and David; practically everyone she know is away all summer. 4 pages (autogr.)
/77 Ibid., 7/8 Apr. – found this letter in her travelling letter case; mentions Dr Ochener[?] of New Orleans; thanks God that she is a Catholic; mentions Mortimer and Stevie; on her TV work; mentions Sherman Lee; his [WBF’s] manuscript arrived. 4 leaves (much illegible due to water damage)
/78 Ibid., 10 [Apr.] – on what she heard from Leff; no word from Sieber or Bascom; she came back from New Orleans on 1 Apr.; on a fall at the airport; hopes he will give her the date of his arrival at Munich in the autumn; on the show ‘Art of the New African Nations’; sends a letter from Louise Newton Hill in Lagos [/4/70]; [on verso:] Jay C. Leff to MWP, 4 Apr. – is pleased to hear that WBF will be visiting the United States; shall look forward to their visit to Uniontown about 23 May; he may be in New York City for part of that week; asks if it possible to rearrange; Leon Arkus may arrange for WBF to lecture; would be interested in knowing the outcome of her objectives in Egypt (tp.)
/79 MWP to WBF, post-10 Apr. – on Leon Arkus, whose letter is on verso; on Gordon Washburn; on her health; she does exhaust herself; she prays a lot; has no dread of age or of death; her life has been full of wonderful things; remembered his birthday by renewing his New Yorker subscription; mentions an article on Texas (autogr.; slight water damage); [on verso:] Leon Anthony Arkus, Carnegie Institute, to MWP, 10 Apr. – has heard from Mr Leff that WBF will be lecturing in May; wishes he could have the opportunity of arranging a lecture; however the galleries will be closed until fall (tp.)
/80 […?] to MWP, 11 Apr. – [illegible due to water damage] (autogr.)
/4/81 MWP to WBF, nd – refers to the letter from Dr […?]’s wife; they saw the collection; on travel plans. 4 pages (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/82 Roy Sieber, Iowa State University, to MWP, 17 Apr. 1961 – has been trying without avail to get a lecture for WBF; Himmelheber is coming so probably better if WBF comes in the fall; is sorry about her attack in New Orleans; has suggested WBF for the UNESCO Conference in Boston next Oct.; from the draft programme he discovered that she is to be a alternate for one of the sessions; he is to be rapporteur for the session; on papers he is writing; is going to Arizona for the summer; he did not get the Guggenheim; WBF’s Munich show sounds great; asks if she knows Guy Atkins; tells her to take care of heself (autogr.)
.1 MWP to WBF, nd –comments on Roy Sieber’s letter (autogr. note; water damaged)
/83 MWP to WBF, 19 Apr. – it is a good thing they called off the western tour; on her health; has had to cancel a TV appearance; on politics; hopes he willwrite; she misses his letters; Robert said the gong was not back yet; on their summer show; he would like to see a photograph of WBF’s new discovery; on Eliot (autogr.; slight water damage)
/84 WBF to MWP, 21[?] Apr. – on a psychological conflict within her; on its link with her health; on arranging a show [in Munich?]; it would be wonderful if she could manage to come and help; mentions Marianne and Fred; they could have a wonderful week; on other German towns they could visit; as he must go to Munich in Aug. he could afford neither the time nor the money to go again a month later; refers to her lectures (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/85 MWP to WBF, 26 Apr. – on her lecture ‘Egypt: Key to Africa’; on de Gaulle; believes Nasser is turning to Africa because of the failure of his schemes for the Arab countries; mentions the Lebanese; on the reason for her high blood pressure; has cancelled all TV for a while; she has cerebral dirhythmia; discusses her health further; his letters are the best medicine (autogr.; some water damage)
/4/86 Ibid., 28 Apr. 1961 – refers to dates for Munich and for the USA; must start planning the West Coast trip before the end of the academic year; she is not up to a rushed trip; on her health; she needs a part-time secretary; describes how busy she is; on her talk on Egypt; on Kathy McBride; on Nkrumah; Americans of her class are silly people; on a commission to Ghana from England including Evans-Pritchard; on Nasser; she would rather not be meek; her diarhythmia is her mental defect; she is not contra-suggestible; will enjoy some of the West Coast but not the Bascom part; she is not a scholar or a scientist but a domestic woman; he has not told her about Leon’s show; he sent her some press notices; it was a great success; on news from Bentley and T.K.; when she is tired of life here she thinks she will marry Bentley; mentions Brian Egerton; he [WBF] has no idea how seldom he writes to her; marrying someone is the only way she will get to England for any length of time; on Catherine and his nieces; with the humidity she knows she cannot go to West Africa again; on Maurice Heckscher. 4 pages (autogr.; slight water damage) [on verso:] Maurice Heckscher to MWP, 26 Apr. – thanks her for an interesting trip down the Nile (autogr.)
/87 WBF to MWP, 30 Apr. – on her health; on her lectures; on praying for meekness; on de Gaulle; on Americans; mentions Cuba; did not get a photograph from David for ‘The Artist in Tribal Society’; mentions a Baga nimba (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/88 MWP to WBF, ibid. – he ought to use his head more in planning American trips; the US shuts up 1 June to start business again after Labor Day; Bascom is offering him a lecture on 26 May; asks him to get in touch with Margretta to fix a date in Oct. for five weeks to make the tour; by then universities and anthropological societies will be functioning; she loves planning the trip but cannot do the State Department thing; he must ask Margretta to whom he should apply for a grant; she [MWP] can afford to pay his expenses; on Brian Robertson; on Michael [Ayrton?] doing a seminar at Harvard for six weeks; he [WBF] hates criticism but will not make any effort on his own; it is better for him to be the motive force than her; his capacity for retreating into an ivory tower drives her nuts; as Webster often told her, she is the perfect secretary; she is no longer all that interested in African art; can help some Americans to think straight about colonialism; on Segy; when they have fixed up the American tour she can plan when to fly to Munich;; she could spend some time with him in London afterwards although she dislikes coming to see him in London. 4 pages (autogr.; slight water damage)
/4/89 30 Apr. 1961 – ‘A Spring Tour of Colonial Philadelphia’ (printed leaflet annotated by MWP)
/90 MWP to WBF, 3 May [as per postmark] – meant to enclose this in her letter of yesterday; on Bill [Bascom]; thinks he [WBF] ought to write to Robert, who wrote to every museum and university recommending Himmelheber when he made his grand tour of America; if they work up a good tour for him he might be too busy to take photographs; in a treen she acquired was a cutting of his Arts Council show; on the weather (autogr.) [on verso:] William Bascom to MWP, 28 Apr.; on arranging a lecture for WBF on 26 May; it was difficult to arrange; on the fee; on Dr Heil; he says the only possibility is 29 May; hopes his new exhibit on pre-Columbian Peru will be completed when they arrive (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP – will cable Bascom that WBF’s trip is postponed until Oct.; hopes he realizes she was joking about B[entley] B[ridgewater]; as she cannot come to Munich in Aug. or Sept. they had better concentrate on the Western tour; if he is unwilling to contact Margretta about the State Department he could ask Dickie Davis)
.1 Margaret Hamilton to MWP, nd – the highlight of her day was meeting her; she remembers the article about her; encloses the article she mentioned; on what is being done in their lovely city; mentions Clyde Robinson (autogr. with autogr. addition by MWP – on the writer of the letter; she sent an ‘Ode to Philadelphia’ from the Bulletin) [enclosed with /4/90]
.2 Dene M. Lowelheim[?] to ibid., nd – she gave them joy; everyone had a laugh; they are all grateful (autogr. note with autogr. note by MWP – the note concerns her lecture on Egypt at the Club) [enclosed with /4/90]
/4/91 MWP to WBF, 10 May [as per postmark] 1961 – has dislocated her thumb; on the weather; she needs a letter from him; on her health; knows she should not live alone but cannot think of anyone she would want to live with; on Marion Wescott; on the possibility of sharing with her; it is a better idea than marrying someone; on Roger Wescott; knows she should not travel alone; she loves living where she does; on her TV and radio work; on Glenn Bernard who may drop in on him; Marion has no idea of their relationship; on Francis who is ill; has a more crowded life than she would have in London; could not sit around in his department at the BM watching him think; asks him to give up 10 minutes of TV to write to her. 4 pages (autogr.; slight water damage)
/92 Roy Sieber[?] to MWP, 11 May – [illegible due to water damage] (autogr.)
/93 MWP to WBF, 12 May – refers to yesterday’s cry for help [/4/91]; here is another but not concerning her; on Mortimer’s daughter, Lucy Bell, who with her husband Peter Sellers has been seduced into volunteering to go to Central Africa as elementary school teachers; they have two babies; Mortimer is distraught; they would have three months’ training at Makerere College; outlines the objections; asks if would ring Margaret Trowell and ask her what she thinks of the plan; refers to what Joe and Louise said about Lagos and life there; thinks it ridiculous to take babies to Africa; thinks she has rheumatism; asks him to write by return mail if he is against the family going (autogr.)
/94 Ibid., 15 May – Dr Fuller has asked for an Oct. date; tomorrow is her last big lecture; had Mortimer’s daughter and others yesterday afternoon; on a conversation with a snooty Ghanaian; discusses Ghana in general (autogr.)
/95 Ibid., 20 May [as per postmark] – the ESU is at Dartmouth House; knows someone who got one of their grants; refers to Roy Sieber’s letter; he wants WBF for four or five days; as does Bill Bascom; is depressed about Lucy Bell and Peter; she cannot bear to see Mortimer hurt; all her problems are other people’s problems; on Charles Mitchell; on Bertha von Moschiziska; has not seen the summer show at the MPA; resents that they have done nothing to help him; remembers the letter they sent boosting Himmelheber; on her type of talk; she never deviates from WBF’s line; wishes he could write more often; she needs his wisdom and balance; is in one of her ‘nobody loves me’ moods; is glad he had a week of no TV. 4 pages (some water damage)
[No number 96]
/4/97 MWP to WBF, 26 May 1961 – if he understood what his letters meant to her he would write more often; has written to Mortimer explaining that Kampala is reasonably healthy; on taking a rest at Cape May; mentions Marion Wescott; on her women friends; on her health (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/98 WBF to MWP, 27 May – refers to her young friends the Sellers; discusses an article he read; on a film; he had no luck with Margretta over a grant; on a little bust she had which she bought in Cairo; discusses Margretta; on a ‘wild-sounding’ Conference (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/99 MWP to WBF, 28 May – Charles Mitchell of the Art History Department at Bryn Mawr has made dates for a joint seminar in Oct.; suggests he arrive 8 Oct.; on other places they will go to; Mitchell is doing a lecture at the British Association on 20 June; refers to his Manchester seminar; they can borrow pieces from the UM; on the students; she must write to the man in Uniontown (autogr.; some water damage)
/100 Ibid., ibid. – on people she has written to; remembered WBF had a UNESCO date in Oct.; refers to Roy’s letter; it is too late to tell Mitchell; has not written to Leff; Mortimer is comforted by WBF’s letters on Lucy Bell; on the babies; mentions Betty; on social engagements; on the weather; still enjoys African art but it is not the most important interest in her life; he loves African art best (autogr.; some water damage)
/101 Arnold Newman to MWP, 31 May – on getting together when they come to Philadelphia; suggests lunch on Saturay; will see her on Friday (tp. with autogr. additions by MWP, near-illegible)
/102 MWP to WBF, post-1 June – is curious to know if Charles has met him; on his lecture at Yale; wrote to Mel that WBF would prefer a small seminar; asks him not to beg her to go everywhere with him; she does not have the endurance; suggests he talk without too many notes (autogr.; water damaged); [on verso:] Charles Mitchell to MWP, 1 June – refers to her seminars with WBF in Oct.; on WBF’s fee; is going to Europe on 5 June; hopes to have a dinner party with her and WBF; refers to Jim Fowle (tp.)
/4/103 WBF to MWP, 2 June 1961 – mentions Vernon McKay; on the seminars at Bryn Mawr; on an invitation to lecture at Yale; on Robert P. Thompson; on a book to be called ‘Africa: What’s What and Who’s Who’; on Charles Mitchell; refers to an incident before the war; suggests preparatory reading for before the seminar; on his article with Frank Willett on the ethnography of ancient Ife (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/104 MWP to WBF, 3 June – she feels better; asked Harvard to send him an issue of Cambridge 38 on Africa; on interest in Africa in America; asks for a copy of Horizon with his article in it; discusses Africa; mentions Isaacs; mentions an article on the Peace Corps; Venice plans sound marvelous (autogr.; water damaged)
/105 Pennsylvania Hospital Day, ‘Historic Philadelphia Soiety Hill House Tour’, 7 June (printed brochure; water damaged)
[No number 106]
/107 MWP to WBF, 7 June – is horrified at his Charles Mitchell story; discusses him; mentions Joe Sloane and Fowell; Bill Bertolet is going to take some work at Bryn Mawr; discusses him; discusses the Vasani; suggests a lawyer; on a UNESCO invitation; on the session Roy wants WBF for; suggests that he write immediately; on a letter from Robert; gives the dates for the MPA; is delighted about Yale; on an ailment (autogr.; water damaged)
/108 Ibid., post-12 June – asks if he needs a list of slides[?]; pictures from Yorubaland would be useful; a lecture on ibeji would be a bore; on going to Colin Turnbull’s show; mentions Robert and Douglas Newton; thinks constantly of his arrival and is working on plans; on dates; mentions Fred Duerr; is scared of politicians including JFK; on Mel; on Philadelphia and Chicago (autogr.; water damaged) [on verso:] Melville J. Herskovits to MWP, 12 June – good that she and WBF will be out this way in the fall; on the possibility of WBF giving a lecture; wants to show them the pieces he has recently got; on his trips to West Africa; refers to Isaacs’ piece in the New Yorker; on African students; is speaking in Philadelphia on 29 Sept. (tp.)
/4/109 MWP to WBF, post-15 June 1961 – hopes he has a date book and puts in final dates; on the seminars at the MPA; on numbers in the audience; hopes to have a programme from him; on the students (autogr.; water damaged) [on verso:] James Fowle, Bryn Mawr College, to MWP, 15 June – sends Charles’ letter [not held]; outlines the arrangements regarding dates, numbers and other matters (tp.)
/110 New York Times, 15 June – ‘Museum Displays African Artifacts’ (newspaper cutting with autogr. note from MWP to WBF)
/111 MWP to WBF, post-15 June – has accepted this 31 Oct. date; everyone interested in African art is going to the UNESCO Conference; asks about his invitation; on dates booked so far; asks how long he can stay (autogr.; water damaged) [on verso:] William Bascom to MWP, 15 June – refers to her letter [not held] about WBF’s visit; on dates; suggests 27 Oct.; would prefer the following week; mentions Walter Heil (tp. with autogr. PS and autogr. note by MWP)
/112 MWP to WBF, 16 June – on enclosing a cutting [probably /4/110]; on her not going to Yale with him; outlines the itinerary of their Western tour; is glad he is enlarging his Manchester […?] thing; asks him to buy her some books; asks him to cut off the TV while reading her letters; she is busy too; she does not watch TV or read newspapers; asks for the address of the Sunday Times or the Observer; she wants to subscribe; asks him to pay attention to her requests; is very well (autogr.; water damaged)
/113 Ibid., 20 June [as per postmark] – on books by Beier; on the general character of this seminar; asks him to answer questions about dates; will be away 30 June-6 July (autogr.; water damaged)
/114 ‘America is a Bad Tourist Trap’. 2 leaves (newspaper cutting; enclosed with /4/113)
/115 WBF to MWP, 20 June – on her ailment; thanks her for what she has [done] for the Oct. visit; mentions UNESCO; mentions Roy’s suggestion; on their tour; mentions Thompson; mentions Murdock; on the amount of time he can stay; on an article; gives the address of the Sunday Times; on his ‘stock’ lecture; discusses Mitchell; mentions the Munich show (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/4/116 MWP to WBF, 24 June 1961 – Jim Fowle is coming to dine; on Mitchell; asks why the Rolleiflex needs a special fitting for colour; on difficulties with the dates for their tour; thinks Horizon has gone bust; if he does not get a few paid lectures they will have trouble with expenses; [thanks him for] getting the books; on Turnbull’s Dan pieces; on flights from London to Philadelphia (autogr.; water damaged)
/117 WBF to MWP, 26 June – answers her queries received this morning; discusses some artefacts; on books; on Robert Farris Thompson; hopes her distempers have cleared up (autogr.)
/118 MWP to WBF, 6 July – is at Cape May; on recording ‘What in the World?’; on some of the other panelists; the show is being syndicated; he is to be guest on two shows; had a talk with Mortimer about increasing her allowance; on her shares; she is extravagant because no one knows what the future holds; will try to work out the costs of their trip (autogr.; some water damage)
/119 Ibid., post-12 July –refers to the letter on same sheet; the only person WBF has to write to is Ralph Altman; Geraldine [Bruckner] is coming to London; perhaps he could talk her into ‘What in the World?’; is booking tentatively through Cooks; on dates (autogr.; some water damage); Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co. to MWP, 12 July – on the availability of the Journal of African History (tp.)
/120 WBF to MWP, 16 July – is sorry not to have written; mentions a strenuous African History Conference; on his request that she choose some pieces from American collections for him; on people he met at the Conference; on places they will visit on their tour[?] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/121 MWP to WBF, 24 July – thanks him for the Beier; has to do a bibliography of books on African history, culture etc. for the Alumnae News at Bryn Mawr; at the time of the seminar there will be an exhibition of rare books; gives a rundown of the books on her list; gives a list of dates and appointments; on catalogues; asks him to whittle her list of books down to 20; on having a small exhibition in connection with the seminar (autogr.)
/4/122 Ibid., 24 July 1961 – this is part two of the foregoing letter; on a cheque which she sent him; on Horizon; on the weather; on her apartment; he will have to stay there; is writing to Mary Atcheson in Denver; Geraldine Bruckner will be in London any minute; on other people who are away; is pretty sure Mary can get him a lecture in Denver; their main expense will be hotels and meals; suggests skipping Seattle; on other places they will visit; hopes he will write definite dates in a calendar; is watching a documentary on Berlin; mentions Kennedy and Gagarin; asks what day he expects to fly (autogr.; some water damage)
/123 Ibid., 28 July – on sending people to see him at the BM; her doctor’s daughter got married; on the wedding; the officiating rabbi is going to London in a week and will drop in to see the Plass Collection; suggests they go to a Chinese restaurant in Leicester Square; discusses Mitchell; is working on the seminar, basing it on Oberlin’s (autogr.)
/124 Ibid., 30 July – on a trip to Washington; on the Hills; mentions Mennen Williams; on a letter from Altman; on Pearlie Mae; is going to New York; on Douglas Newton who has become most eccentric; on Colin [Turnbull]; he will need a new dinner jacket; on dates; is going to Cape May; wishes he was interested in something she is interested in; African art no longer interests her much; more on the Hills (autogr.) [on verso:] Pearlie Mae, nd – note concerning MWP’s absence in Washington)
/125 Raymond & Whitcomb Co., Philadelphia, 31 July – Suggested Itinerary for MWP and WBF. 2 leaves (tp. with annotation by MWP); MWP to WBF, nd – on details about the trip (autogr.; water damaged)
/126 Ibid., 3/4 Aug. – has to have the bibliography in by the end of the week so hopes to hear from him; asks him to ask Kegan Paul to send her the three Underwoods; also asks for Margaret Trowell’s ‘Classical African Sculpture’; on an exhibition and selection of books; refers to correspondence about their Grand Tour; on those who have confirmed dates and fees; on places yet to confirm; on the guest list at a Cos Club dinner (autogr.)
/4/127 Ibid., post-5 Aug. 1961 – thinks he will like this Jew; describes him and his wife; Bill Kemp will meet them at KC airport on 29 Oct.; he will have a dinner for them that night; on a restaurant; thinks they will enjoy the trip; wishes he would do something about Los Angeles; on Elsy Leuzinger’s book; is whittling down her bibliography; is going to Washington tomorrow; saw Francis yesterday in New York; she wrote a nice letter to Leff (autogr.; some water damage) [on verso:] Jay C. Leff to MWP, 5 Aug. – on a letter which he never received; looks forward to meeting her and WBF on 20 Oct.; most of his collection is at Uniontown; would like to arrange for them to visit; asks if this suits her; asks about an African collection in Denver (tp.)
/128 WBF to MWP, 5 Aug. – will try to keep the letter strictly business; on attending a meeting in New York 19-21 Oct.; suggests she make enquiries about the ASA meeting from her friends at Temple U[niversity]; on lectures in Chicago; on Robert and the MPA; asks about a fee from Leff; on colour slides; on the Rolleiflex; asks about her bronze mask; mentions the ivory gong (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/129 MWP to WBF, ibid. – has been working on her Bryn Mawr bibliography; has divided it into two sections; has not had any recommendations from him yet; thanks him for Udo; on the figure on the cover; shall consider it and the Beier her best birthday presents; on the two-volume Kimble which quotes him; hopes to hear soon about the itinerary; on the weather; is going to New York tomorrow; Francis will be 75 on 25 Aug.; is going to Washington over her birthday; is going to see the Baluba Collection at the Smithsonian; on the Hills (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/130 Raymond & Whitcomb Co., 11 Aug. – Revised Itinerary for MWP and WBF. 2 leaves (tp. with annotation by MWP); MWP to WBF, nd – asks if anyone but Altman can give him a lecture in Los Angeles; has written to Bill Kemp cancelling KC plans; on Leff; asks if he wants the programme of the African Studies meeting; on Toronto; Roger has sent her a copy of two reviews (autogr.)
/4/131 MWP to WBF, 11 Aug. 1961 – asks to be excused for addressing him as ‘Doctor’; the itinerary is now corrected; on fitting in Yale; on the fee from Leff; will go to Pittsburgh to see the Carnegie Collection and Gordon Washburn; it is important that he have two full days in Denver; on money; on details of their trip; Doug Fraser is doing a book on Primitive Art; wants a plate of her Dan-Ngere for the frontispiece; lists people she cannot stand; cannot think of an Africanist she likes; asks for a name and address of someone she could write to in LA; on clothing (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/132 WBF to MWP, 14 Aug. – is looking forward to the trip; on his happiness at spending four or five weeks in her company; on her contemplating a visit to Lagos at Christmas; should love to be in Nigeria when she is there; cannot do so this Christmas; on the figure on the cover of Odu; mentions Suzanne Wenger; has only just finished the catalogue for Munich; on the difficulties of organizing the selection at a distance; all museums except Hamburg have cooperated; BEBF is sending some pieces from Lagos, Ife and Jos; Lady Epstein has agreed to lend the ivory gong; makes some observations on her book list; on drawing attention to the bibliographical pages in the Yellow Book; has made about 170 colour slides with his adapted Rolleiflex; on forgetting her birthday; hopes she had a happy one; on her fourteenth lustrum; on taking Geraldine [Bruckner] to lunch; she had heard nothing about recording ‘What in the World?’ on 13 Oct.; is sorry they have to cut out dinner with Bill Kemp in KC. 6 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/133 MWP to WBF, 15 Aug. – has had to complete her book list without him; mentions the Pigafetta which was bought by W[ebster] the year before he died, nine years ago on 16 Aug.; describes what Webster did for her; Stevie, Mortimer and Francis spoil her so she does not have to do anything unless she wants to; she wants WBF to make an impression on the Americans; refers to the Bambembe-Babwende confusion; gives news of Roy Sieber; on Herskovits; on a fascinating new lawyer friend; asks him to tell her he will bring Pigafetta for the Bryn Mawr exhibition; has to stay home this month as she is out of money (autogr.; some water damage)
/134 Ibid., 18 Aug. [as per postmark] – sends her book list; the seminar is to be extremely general; she divided the book list into three parts; gives details; outlines some of her aims regarding the seminar; on the négrerie fashion; knows of no collector except her and maybe Roy who is normal; asks him to get in touch with that Madison man (autogr.)
/4/135 WBF to MWP, 18 Aug. 1961 – discusses Pigafetta; on Tempels’ ‘Bantu Philosophy’; does not intend to push himself on the ASA; but feels bound to be available; does not want to miss seeing Leff’s collection; Mel is a likeable devil; on going to Munich; gives his addresses; on the translation of his catalogue into German; on Roger’s reviews (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/136 MWP to WBF, 20 Aug. – on his good wishes for her 14th lustrum; discusses the word; was pleased he forgot her birthday; suggests they both forget birthdays; the New Yorker will be his everlasting birthday present; on people she had for dinner; on catching a sore throat and fever; mentions Bertha von Moschiziska; on lecture dates and appointments; on Eliot Elisofon asking him to expand the Yellow Book; the book has never reache the remaindered list; she sees Eliot and Joan as seldom as possible; on Carlebach; he has financed a foundation for the study of primitive art; he gets private collectors to talk about their collections; on Harold Rome who has a nice collection (autogr.; some water damage)
/137 22 Aug. [as per postmark] – African Studies Association, Preliminary Program for meeting 20-22 Oct.; MWP to WBF, 22 Aug. – thinks the programme is awful; will go if he insists; has changed Leff twice and is not going to do so again; on his seeing Fred; wishes Fred would marry Marianne; on dates and appointments; Marianne has had surgery for breast cancer; they have had notice to leave their house; Fred’s business is in a mess; on Fred’s health (autogr.; some water damage)
/138 WBF to MWP, 26 Aug. – refers to her letter [/4/137]; discusses the programme[?]; shall be able to stay in America[?] until 11 Nov.; on his arrival date; should get a new dinner jacket as he has put on weight; on other clothing; mentions doors in her apartment; leaves for Munich tomorrow (autogr.; some water damage)
/139 MWP to WBF, ibid. – is making plans; on the fees she is sure of; on dates for lectures; mentions Labor Day; mentions Joe and Zik; mentions ‘Masques Dogons’ which she has lost; is getting tired of the seminar before it starts; only slept two hours last night (autogr.; some water damage)
/4/140 WBF to MWP, 3 Sept. 1961 – is writing from the Rathauskeller; is enjoying the trip very much; last week was strenuous; the exhibition opens 29 Sept.; describes the work he has been doing; on a marvelous series of photographs by Herbert List; on the catalogue; he is returning to London on 11 [Sept.]; on getting in touch with Fred; mentions Marianne; on his friend Prof. P.D. Curtin; will try to write to him and to Altman; on plans for lectures in America and on fees; mentions Margaret Trowell’s first book; on his fee from Munich going to her (autogr.; some water damage)
/141 Ibid., 5 Sept. – is lecturing at La Salle on 10 Nov. on the Lower Nile and its treasures (autogr. pc)
/142 Ibid., 6 Sept. – on writing to John W. Davis about showing courtesy to WBF; on dates for his lectures; he must write to the man at Madison; thinks the idea of publicizing African art is a waste of time; is looking forward to their travels; the schedule is frighteningly full; quotes from a letter from Louise Hill which mentions WBF; asks if he has heard from Yale or MPA; she is tired; on other dates; mentions Eliot (autogr.; some water damage)
/143 Ibid., 8 Sept. – on the Munich catalogue; is taping the opening introductory talk at the seminar today; on her students; on the opinions of American youngsters; is fed up with Africa; on Gizenga, Kataganga and Nkrumah; sends her bank details; asks about Grotanelli; she has not heard from Roy; she is busy writing letters about his trip; on the weather and her wardrobe for the trip; on Roy coming to his lecture (autogr.)
/144 WBF to MWP, 12 Sept. – returned last night from Munich; has more or less committed to do a picture book with Herbert List’s pictures; on Venice; on discussions there; will send a copy of his paper; feels more competent to pontificate about négritude; on invitations which were on his desk on his return, from Andrew C. Ritchie of the Yale University Art Gallery, Vernon McKay at Johns Hopkins, Roger Wescott at East Lansing, Robert [Goldwater] and Douglas Fraser; Francis has agreed to let him have £40 for the trip; some of her letters show disillusionment with African art; hopes to revive her interest; he is having a good year for new ideas; on her BM seminars; did not manage to write to Mitchell; quotes from a letter [not held] from Geraldine [Bruckner]; mentions the death of Cockin; Charles sent some pieces for the Epstein collection; on their love. 4 pages (autogr.)
/4/145 MWP to WBF, 13 Sept. 1961 – Vernon McKay has invited her to be on the panel at UNESCO on 25 Oct.; she asked if WBF were invited; Roy is rapporteur of the panel; asks if he knows Henry R. Hope; is furious at the new nations of Africa; on the opinion of Africanists over here of British anthropologists; is upset about the current crisis; feels they are working on a silly project considering the anti-tribal sentiments of the new African leaders; African art is bound up with tribalism; is sure it will cease to exist; asks him to write (autogr.)
/146 Ibid., post-14 Sept. – on a date with Douglas Fraser on 20 Oct.; they will have a lovely trip; their joint seminar; on the pieces they will show on the screen; refers to the letter on verso (autogr.); [on verso:] Vernon McKay to MWP, 14 Sept. – thanks her for agreeing to serve as panelist; has invited WBF but has not heard from him; on WBF’s expenses; encloses a copy of the letter for her to forward to WBF (tp.)
/147 WBF to MWP, 14 Sept. – on a letter from Curtin confirming the date for Madison; gives details of dates and fee; outlines a programme for 1-7 Nov.; he might make $600 on this part of the trip; is writing to Roy; would like to consult Philip Dark about Benin chronology; discusses the Munich show; cannot get a middle-period Benin head like the one at Kansas City; asks if she has one at the UM (autogr.)
/148 Ibid., 15 Sept. – has looked up the Museum Journal and finds that she has two of the middle period; on her lending one to Munich; on shipping charges; Adrian is in a flap about nuclear disarmers; asks her to tell Roy what she thinks of his Chicago proposal of yesterday (autogr.)
/149 MWP to WBF, 17 Sept. – Robert Goldwater wants him to lecture on 8 Nov.; on the possible fee; Goldwater also wants WBF at the Museum on 18 or 19 [Oct.]; will give him other possible dates; on WBF’s piece on négritude; asks him to send it to Joe Hill; WBF is a brilliant writer; on those people who make up AMSAC; on her Negro friends; has a sore throat; taped her first seminar talk (autogr.)
/4/150 Ibid., 18 Sept. 1961 – on the middle-period head; thinks she could get it to him; is having a hell of a time with the schedule; suggests a revised programme; on details of the arrangements; is madly interested in African art but it is not right to make it the most important thing in her life; is financing the trip out of allowance with nothing extra from Mortimer; on her finances; he will need a notebook as he has to pay American tax on profits; on his going to Iowa City (autogr.)
/151 Ibid., 19 Sept. – on the middle-period head; on a letter from Mel; on dates for going to see Roy; on other details of the trip; most American museums are closed on Mondays; has invited Bill Fontaine and Ira Reid to the opening meeting; has written to Mary that they cannot come to Denver; on taping two shows (autogr.)
/152 WBF to MWP, 21 Sept. – it is 18 days until he will hold her in his arms; asks her not to worry about the prospect of rushing; has a note book and card index ready; thinks he can take $2,000; on invitations from East Lansing and Cleveland; discusses further options for lectures; their fellow-travelling can be described as a joint study tour; is sorry to suggest so much more work but he knows she loves writing letters; mentions the gong and the Ibibio mask (autogr.)
/153 MWP to WBF, ibid. – Ritchie wants him at Yale on 10 [Oct.?]; McKay is delighted they are both coming and will pay his expenses; on politics; on arrangements with Roy; Mortimer is not very well; is pleased WBF will make some money; on fees from ‘What in the World?’; they can discuss the BM seminar when he arrives; on insurance; mentions going to Europe over Christmas; is glad he can stay a week or two longer (autogr.)
/154 Ibid., 23 Sept. – discusses Jay Leff; on changes in their arrangements; Jay Leff wants to take them to see a house built by Frank Lloyd Wright; on other plans; the Dec. Alumnae News will be an African number with a piece by him, a piece by her and her bibliography; on Mitchell; is pretty sure Mitchell does not remember him; on the news being alarming; on Francis. 2 leaves (autogr.); [on verso:] Ann F. Jablonski, United States National Commission for UNESCO, to WBF, 22 Sept. – is delighted that he will participate in the conference to be held in Boston 22-26 Oct.; asks for a biography; asks for an outline or summary of the points he intends to make; asks him to complete a questionnaire concerning other speaking engagements in the Boston area; asks him to check his name and title as it appears on the letter. 2 leaves (tp. annotated by MWP)
/4/155 MWP to WBF, 25 Sept. 1961 – on calling the trip a joint study tour; on dates and arrangements; asks him to have a haircut before his lecture on 8 [Nov.]; on Bill Wixom; Roger gave her a lecture on being upset by homosexuals; on Bill Fontaine addressing her as Margo; discusses him; on other places on their tour; Bill Wixom took the ‘Seven Metals of Africa’ show last year for Cleveland; cannot wait to see him two weeks from today (autogr.)
/156 Ibid., ibid. – she does not like writing letters; on dates and plans; if he can stay on, she cannot stay with him; to be away more than five weeks to be with him is a sacrifice; it means a great devotion to him (autogr.)
/157 Ibid., 28 Sept. – on museum writing paper; mentions Madeleine Crosby of ‘What in the World?’; WBF is to be guest on two shows; MWP guest on another; more discussion of dates and lectures; asks if he got a dinner jacket. 2 leaves (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
.1 Envelope with autogr. notes by WBF
/158 MWP to WBF, 1 Oct. [as per postmark] – on Dr Fuller; on plans to go to Seattle and San Francisco; discusses Mel; he is planning a conference for 20 [Oct.] to plan a world survey of African art; mentions Mitchell; on having a roast beef dinner with David; asks him not to make any more dates (autogr.); [on verso:] Richard E. Fuller, Seattle Art Museum, to MWP, 28 Sept. – was delighted to hear that she and WBF were coming to the West Coast; he will try to have his African material available; he and his wife would like them to have lunch or dinner with them (tp. annotated by MWP)
/159 WBF to MWP, ibid. – explains the reason for the gap in his letters; he went back to [Munich]; mentions going to Oktoberfest with Fred and Marianne; describes the exhibition which is the best African show that he has seen; on Fred and Marianne, who want her to visit them; the show will be on until Jan.; on the catalogue; mentions McKay; mentions Grotanelli (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/4/160 MWP to WBF, 2 Oct. [as per postmark] 1961 – on the MPA getting under her skin; they have every day and evening filled except 7 Nov. evening; on her lecture on Egypt of the Disunited Arab Republic; David flew to Egypt[?]; refers to letters confirming dates; on plans with Phil Dark; mentions Bill Bascom; gives him more dates to write in his book. 3 pages (autogr.) [on verso of page 1:] Robert Goldwater to Member, nd – on their current shows; to maintain the exciting programme, their support is necessary; encloses membership forms (tp.)
/161 WBF to MWP, 4 Oct. – mentions a constitutional crisis at the RAI; on his slides; [may] make some more over there; on the time it would take to process the film; refers to her copy of D’Arcy Thompson; asks her to borrow some books for him to look at; asks her to write to Raymond Wielgus with their dates; on someone else he will try to write to; hopes she will come to Yale with him; on toiletries; on clothing; he might as well go to the ASA dinner on 21 Oct.; mentions Ellean’s article in Africa; on going to Seattle (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/162 Douglas [Newton] to WBF, 23 Oct. – asks him not to forget Montol photos (telegram)
/163 Charles Ratton to MWP, 19 Nov. – as she never writes he hears news from WBF; he often goes to London but does not have time to go to the Museum; is going to London on 27 Nov.; will invite WBF to dinner so WBF can speak of her a little; WBF is not loquacious; he [Ratton] knows that she is well and appears often on the television; Madeleine has asked for a divorce; mentions his son who is six and a half; he is trying to forget his worries by much activity; on the sale of the Jacob Epstein collection; would have liked some of the pieces to come to France; the dealers fight him as much as they can; refers to her being in Europe for Christmas; he will be in Paris 29 Nov.-13 Dec. (autogr.; in French)
/164 Katherine Merkel to MWP, 20 Nov. – thanks her for arranging WBF’s visit; it was wonderful to meet him; they are lucky to have such expert analysis of their collection; he found new aspects to the pieces; was delighted with WBF personally; feels she has made a friend (autogr.)
/4/165 MWP to WBF, 20 Nov. 1961 – on ‘What in the World?’ which went wonderfully; is going to the Bertolets in Reading for Thanksgiving; the reading glasses have not turned up; she arrives in Munich on 30 Dec., leaving 1 or 2 Jan.; asks for the Marienbad’s address; knowing she will see him again soon takes the pain out of parting; it was a lovely visit; refers to her blood pressure; Roy sent $90 for expenses but not the $300; asks him to send her any cheques that come in (autogr.)
/166 Ibid. to [WBF], post-20 Nov. – wishes he would write to Curtin; on a TV programme ‘Meet the Press’; is writing to the Marienbad Hotel for reservations; wants to see the Pinakothek; encloses a review from the New York Times; has lost 15 pounds in weight; wishes he could stop his compulsive eating; he would feel better if he lost weight; on her lecture on Saturday; after a keynote address from Jaja Wachuku the group broke into six seminars; on a Yoruba from Lagos in her group; on other students; on using the word Negro (autogr.; first page missing) [on verso:] Peter Marks to MWP, 20 Nov. – was delighted to have met her and shown her the Malagasy gravemarker; hopes the Museum shares her enthusiasm for the piece; seeing her collection was a pleasure (tp.)
/167 Ibid., 21 Nov. – on phone calls from Merton Simpson and from Lazarnick; suggested Lazarnick take over the correspondence with WBF; on her Sotheby’s letter to Simpson; cannot believe WBF would have suggested a reserve price; thinks he needs an apology from Sotheby’s as their reply has been broadcast by Simpson; discusses the matter further; asks him to send her a carbon of what he writes to Lazarnick; wishes she could get some rest (autogr.; some water damage)
/168 Ibid., ibid. – asks for prints of the Nok head and Wm. Moore’s bowl with his notations on the back; she has to write a short notation on his Venice piece; asks if he could supply an introductory sentence; describes a plan she has worked out for the Lupe mask; on a deadline of 1 Dec.; has to hand in typed captions, the introduction to the Venice piece and a rewrite of what she scribbled for Fowle; Kathy wants the whole number to be African; Roy says he mailed the cheque; is feeling pretty lousy (autogr.; some water damage)
/4/169 Ibid., 25 Nov. 1961 – two people have rung from New York that they have seen Sotheby’s letter to Merton Simpson saying WBF approved the leopard head Benin fake and suggested a reserve price for it; asks him to deal with this quickly; it is bad propaganda for him; Lazarnick has sent a photostat of the letter to WBF; asks him to pay attention to this; the dealer are in this ring and it is grist to their mill; this kind of worry is bad for her heart; no wonder she is through with African art; cannot bear for him not to be perfect (autogr.; some water damage)
/170 WBF to MWP, 28 Nov. – thanks her for a wonderful time; the six weeks were among the happiest and most productive of his life; learnt a tremendous amount about African art and about America; felt he did a good job for the Americans in passing on his knowledge; found his reading glasses; on writing back to Lazarnick; discusses the head in question, which is human, not a leopard head; relates the sequence of events; encloses a copy of a brief report of his trip; when he returned he found an invitation from Röthel inviting him to lecture in Munich; on some photographs which he sent her; gives the address of the Marienbad Hotel; such a tight schedule will make her ill-tempered; her arrangement with the UM for the Nupe mask sound all right; encloses two copies of his letter to Sotheby’s; hopes her heart will settle down; mentions BEBF. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/171 MWP to WBF, 29 Nov. – he has been gone for a week and three days and she has had no word except a wire; she knows how much work he has to do but he is poorly organized; he steals time for reading trashy newspapers and watching TV; she is stewing over the Sotheby’s letter business and trying to get in the money he is owed; on her health; the doctor threatened her with hospitalization if she did not get her weight down; on her diet; she knows this diet would be good for him and his mother; is sure that if he were less heavy he would be less ponderous; will have Paulie Mae post his books; on working on the African issue of Bryn Mawr Alumnae News; cannot believe he will let her down on the photos; wants to sue the William Moore bowl; on the new editor; she [MWP] is lecturing on African art on Saturday; the key speaker is Jaja Wachuku; on the programme; Mortimer is not in a good mood; is angry that she came back so exhausted from the trip; asks if he has written his bread-and-butter letters; discusses the Nupe mask; on exchanging it for something from the BM; asks him to send the prints (autogr.; some water damage)
/4/172 Ibid., 30 Nov. 1961 – refers to his letter; she loved his report; the Sotheby’s letter could have been stronger; discusses Simpson, Stolper and Lazarnick, who is going to Munich to see WBF’s show; will get the photos back to him; asks if ‘that old Portuguese’ is still alive; on lectures she is to give; will be meeting Jaja Wachuku; she sent his Venice thing to Joe Hill (autogr.; some water damage)
/173 W. Goetz to MWP, 5 Dec. – refers to her letter [not held]; congratulates her on being the first Africanist in the USA; Mr Plass would be proud of her; hopes they will not stay much longer in Chur; a new road is being built and their house is in the way; sends a photo of himself; is happy that she can help Marie-Luise; on MWP coming to Europe next year; hopes she will have a nice time in Portugal (tp.)
/174 MWP to WBF, 5 Dec. – on a girl who interviewed her for her school paper; she [MWP] loaned her her book on Egypt and ‘Gods, Graves and Scholars’; on other books she has lent; she loathes ‘Dieux d’Afrique’; on arrangements for their visit to Munich; on going to dinner and theatre with Margretta in London; on her hotel in London; Fred and Marianne have split up; she is likely to rejoin her husband[?]; Fred is nuts about a 24 year old girl; Munich can occupy them without Fred; on how she is feeling (autogr; some water damage)
/175 Roy Sieber to ibid., 6 Dec. – is covered with confusion; would like to know about the people she lists; then he could have an ‘unofficial’ idea of the whole collection; is about to send questionnaires to over 500 museums; is applying for a grant to visit most of these collections; mentions the third Nupe; asks if she will be in ‘Philly’ around 5 Jan.; MWP to WBF – is sending Roy Sieber prints of the Nupe mask; on her emotional response to African art; has given Roy sketches of the Tyson, White and Ingersoll collections; on Mrs Tyson; on a show she is planning of Afro-Portuguese Ivories based on his book; encloses a letter [not held] from Luise (autogr.; water damaged) [phot. 115788]
/4/176 WBF to MWP, 8 Dec. 1961 – is at Fred’s borrowed flat after reaching Munich three or four hours ago; on his lecture this evening; on the fee; the show is doing very well; he asked Röthel to send or give her a corrected copy of the catalogue; on the situation between Fred and Marianne; is sorry she is having to diet but thinks she should stop worrying unnecessarily about things like his alleged lethargy; preferring thinking to rushing is of the essence of his good qualities; if he is the ‘world’s greatest Africanist’ he got that way by thinking, not by rushing to catch trains; mentions Trevithick (autogr.; some water damage)
/177 MWP to WBF, post-13 Dec. – Bill B. asked if she could help him; she does not really need the small Basonge; mentions a Bapende ivory; will send them when she gets back from Europe; describes a visit from Margretta; on having a heart attack; the Marienbad has no rooms and has reserved elsewhere; can pay his expenses if he can pay the air fare; discusses money; mentions the Bertolets; gives their address in Lisbon (autogr.; water damaged) [on verso:] William Bascom to MWP, 13 Dec. – refers to her letter of 10 Dec. [not held]; mentions a Basonge, a Dogon and a Nupe mask; mentions WBF; will be grateful for whatever she can give; does not have a Bapende ivory maskette; returns her photographs; can make a slide of each piece she donates to the museum; on a cheque for WBF’s lecture; is grateful that she is willing to help the Museum develop a collection of African art (tp.)
/178 MWP to WBF, 19 Dec. – has been resting; on her weight loss; mentions Mortimer; on a letter from Fred offering her his flat; on New Year’s Eve; on other news from Fred; on money; sends her address in Portugal; thinks the Goa thing horrible; hopes Nehru does not get away with it (autogr.; some water damage)
/179 Ibid., 21 Dec. – his last letter upset her considerably; mentions the Nupe mask; discusses the financial details of their trip; on his refusal to keep daily accounts; on her health; his never hurrying and making her walk contributed to her health problems; on confusing him with Webster; asked him for the name of the Portuguese who belongs to the RAI; the trip did her more harm than good; on her thing about keeping young men; refers to her Portuguese jaunt; discusses money further; all this could have been avoided; does not love his idea of her as an old woman (autogr.; some water damage)
/4/180 Louise [Newton Hill] to MWP, 22 Dec. 1961 – they have both been too exhausted to write; describes what they have been doing; refers to MWP sending WBF’s article; Joe agreed with him 100% (autogr. pc)
/181 WBF to ibid., 29 Dec. – calls her a silly thing; refers to her letter of 21 Dec. [/4/179]; no one could love her for 15 years without understanding her deeply; thanks God for his forebearance; pardons her for her letter; encloses a summary account which should straighten things out; his accounts were very carefully kept; discusses in depth the details of the expenses of the trip; refers to arrangements regarding the purchasing of the mask; on financial arrangements between them; knows her better than her doctor does; does not believe the trip did her any harm. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/5 1962-63 Margaret Plass Papers
/1 MWP to WBF, 27 Jan. 1962 – [has not had] a word since she left London; heard from Bentley and Leon; mentions Income Tax; is working on the Har Zion Temple show which is featuring Leon’s work; mentions Michael and Elizabeth [Ayrton]; on the books they are working on; mentions taking a flat in London where she could live for five months of the year; asks him to write (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/2 Ibid., 28 Jan. – has not heard from him since she returned on 8 Jan.; has asked Frank Francis and Bentley to look for a flat for her near the BM; describes what she has in mind; would bring her books and collections as they will go to him and the BM on her death; would spend about five months of the year in England; would get the boys to come over in the summer and drive around England, Scotland and Wales; would go to the Continent for Christmas; does not want her roots to get too deep here [Philadelphia]; mentions Mortimer and Stevie; asks him to write (autogr.)
/5/3 Ibid., 7 Feb. 1962 – asks him to cable on receipt of this letter; is upset over his silence; does not know if he reached Basel or if he has had a stroke; has heard from Frank Francis and Bentley but they do not mention him; asks if he received a cheque she sent; he must write to Mrs Merkel and ask for a copy of ‘The Imagination of Primitive Man’; it is the catalogue of a show at KC; discusses some of Mrs Merkel’s pieces which look doubtful to her; Klejman gives the description of all his pieces; comments on Akuaba heads; is not mad that neither she nor the UM were asked to contribute to the show; not asking WBF to advise was a fatal omission (autogr.; some water damage)
/4 WBF to MWP, 17 Feb. – asks her to forgive him for leaving her for [over a] month without news; refers to being together happily at New Year; memory provides a [closer?] link than correspondence; this is why he has not had an urge to write; has felt guilty; is on his second trip to Basel to see the show and give a lecture; during the last three months of 1961 had got behind with Man; on the publication dates of various issues; there has been much else to do, including helping with an African show at Edinburgh; on the Basel catalogue; the RAI, he and the late Bozo Skerlj are about to be sued for libel by the Mankind Quarterly; hopes it will develop into a cause célèbre on race (autogr.; some water damage)
/5/5 MWP to WBF, post-27 Feb. 1962 – cannot quite forgive him for not writing; it is disappointing to sense his lack of enthusiasm for having her resident in London for four or five months a year; Bentley, the Ayrtons and Margretta work on her to come over; he is quite cold to the idea so she has given up the idea; subletting her flat was a failure when Nora had it; on her feeling for perfection in material possessions, both in her home and in the chambers in Albany; on doing this sort of thing without expending capital; refers to him as fiscally bemused; tries to see herself in a small flat at about 25 guineas a week; on her outgoings in Philadelphia; she could work at the BM and watch him dither over his mail; not being able to do anything except give money and objects hurts her; on Bentley’s family problems; she would help him if she were near; mentions some women friends; outlines the things she likes in London; on David Shelton; his secretary Ruth Gates is coming to London; asks him to be nice to her; advises him about taking her out; describes her; on a concert she went to; encloses the programme [/5/6]; hopes he has notified Basel to send the Ibo box and the Benin mask to the UM; the African gallery is going to be magnificent; on pieces the museum has acquired for it; on her Bajokwe chair; describes it; includes drawing. 6 pages (autogr.; page[s] missing); Mauricio Lasansky to MWP, 27 Feb. – apologises for not calling on her; was hoping to see her at his talk with the Print Club (tp. with annotation by MWP)
/6 The Philadelphia Orchestra, programme of concerts on 2 & 3 Mar. (printed, annotated by MWP)
/7 MWP to WBF, 9 Mar. – on her bank balance; asks him to let her know when he cashes a cheque; asks him let her know that he has notified Basel about the Ibo box and the Bini masque; if he has already notified Basel she will send the Nupe mask soon; had a letter from Bill [Bascom]; itemizes the things she sent him; on the things which he will lend to the UM; she likes him and Berta very much; is getting into a state about his persistent procrastination; only remembers his bad qualities when she is like this; only exhibits her own bad qualities (autogr.)
/5/8 Ibid., 10 Mar. 1962 – on nightmares; thinks she is overtired; describes her activities; mentions Dorothy Marshall and Machteld Mellnick; on Fowle and an argument she had with him; everyone is crazy about the Alumnae News; they made a mess of her bibliography and of his first piece; on the editor; she bought them Merlyn Evans’ set of six prints which are hung in the library; refers to the Eastern seaboard storm and the damage it caused; wishes he could fly over for a while; thinks she is going off her head; has very little congenial companionship; mentions David and Bill; needs to have someone to look up to; enjoys living vicariously in his original ideas; outlines his vices; Francis has been sick but is better; on having lunch with him in New York; discusses him; reminds WBF to let her know about the cheque; wants to send him the Nupe mask; asks him to send a quick air-letter once a week. 4 pages (autogr.)
/9 Ibid., 13 Mar. – asks about an African art film called ‘Black and White’; they showed it at the UM yesterday; she dropped in on Simpson last week; a private collector bought his fake Benin head; on a large Bambara mask from Carlebach; the MPA refuses to commit itself in judging fake Benins; on books in the last Kegan Paul catalogue; asks him about cashing the cheque; asks if he has considered consulting a psychiatrist about his mental block about money; refers to him refusing to do anything about income tax; told her Director WBF had started the booklet he was supposed to write on Benin; asks if Man is worth all his effort; she admires his thinking on African art; asks why he does not express himself through her; refers to leaving him a large sum of money in her will; he does not answer her questions; suggests he give up the Standard and TV for Lent (autogr.)
/5/10 Ibid., 16 Mar. 1962 – has decided it is silly to make herself sick over the problem of the cheque; has written it off; will send the mask from the UM next week; never mind about the mask and box from his Nigeria show; on a letter from a girl in St Louis which she sent him; she has lost her address; asks him to send the address or the letter, as she knows he never throws away the smallest scrap of paper; knowing the mental distress caused by never getting answers to letters she always replies; asks why he has not put an obituary of Kjersmeier in Man; Helga Larsen told her the details; Mrs K. has delivered the collection to the National Museum; on ‘What in the World?’; describes some of the pieces; thanks him for the Edinburgh catalogue; is tired of plain catalogues of assorted African material; there should be more special shows like his Nigeria show; on the behaviour of Africans in America; asks who are the serious Africanists; mentions Roy (autogr.)
/11 Ibid., 18 Mar. – being disconnected with him is bad for her; fears she is losing her mind; on the rector at St Joseph’s; is having a party for Teresa Ann and Ted Carter; has had some marvellous letters from Leon; they are based on his belief that art is a form of worship; is involved in the Har Zion art show this May; Leon is contributing some pieces; quotes from one of his letters; on the people who are contributing; last year they sold $200,000 worth of art; asks if she should join the Guggenheim for $100 a year; supposes he does not want her to come over in June and July; asks if he has a fiancée; hopes he has someone to take care of him (autogr.)
/12 Ibid., 21 Mar. – the wooden Bini mask and the Holzplatte mit Schele have arrived; how much anguish he would have saved if he had let her know; has only heard from him twice since 4 Jan. and neither note referred to any letter of hers or any questions; on her health; her doctor wants her to go into Penna. Institute for observation for a few weeks; the medicine she needs is a note from him; really thinks he is the crazy one; there is no need for him to drive her mad; asks if he has seen ‘Gaslight’; if the thought of her coming in June has upset him, she can tell him she is not coming; all the bad parts of that awful trip come back to her; lists some of his faults; she sustained a psychic wound; if he has a girl and is planning marriage he should tell her; asks him how he can treat her so badly when she is so old (autogr.)
/5/13 WBF to MWP, 21 Mar. 1962 – she must be crazy to think she is losing her mind; being absent-minded is a concomitant for the spark of genius; refers to her propensity for asking his advice and then writing again before he has had time to reply; is sorry to have left her without a word from him; on the issues of Man which he has published; refers to RAI business[?] and the libel action; has had to help organise a symposium on Music and History in Africa and Asia; it was remarkably successful; mentions Mantle Hood and Nketia; on the cheque; there is nothing he would like better than for her to spend four or five months a year in London; does not think she should give up her present flat and move upstairs; quotes from her letter saying she does not suppose he wants her to come; he wants her to very much; on a Congress in Salisbury 1-14 Aug.; he might spend a week in Lagos first (autogr.; some water damage)
/14 Ibid., 22 Mar. – this is a hurried note at Adrian’s request; on a Mrs Poisonier who rang on behalf of an unnamed male relative of MWP’s, wanting to know how to get in touch with her; Adrian told her to try the UM; asked WBF to write to tip off the museum not to give her address; asks if she knows who this relative is; had the Ibo dish and the Bini ekpo sent from Basel; asks for clarification as to how she is arranging the exchange; asks her to write an obituary of Carl Kjersmeier; asks her not to send the Nupe mask before agreeing with him how it is to be consigned; asks about the mask the UM has bought; Rome’s things are not bobbins but pulley-holders[?]; would like Harold Rome to bring over the gong in April; her St Louis correspondent is Clare B. Templeton; gives her address; she might look at Dark’s ‘Benin Art’; has now reached Jan. in going back through her letters for things to answer; has not seen the KC catalogue; on some pieces owned by Mrs Merkel (autogr.; some water damage)
/5/15 MWP to WBF, 23 Mar. 1962 – her health is deteriorating badly; lists her symptoms; thinks that retiring to the Institute for a couple of weeks would help her but the cost deters her; discusses the cheque she sent him which he did not cash; if he cashes it now there is enough money in the bank to cover it; then she will feel better; speaks of writing him off as a mistake in her misguided life; her physical symptoms are driving her into insanity; he is the focus which particularly upsets her; asks him to remember her when he loved her; cannot conceive of the cruelty he has inflicted on her lately; has to fight suicidal thoughts constantly; wonders if he or his mother is sick; a psychiatrist would have field day with him; she has lost weight; refers to the horror of life without any word from him; asks him to let her know if he wants Harold Rome to bring the ivory gong in Apr.; on the disaster area on the Jersey coast (tp.)
/16 Ibid., 24 Mar. – refers to his letter of 21 Mar. [/5/13]; it does not make up for months of neglect; on the cheque; is still in a state; asks if he has a title for Harold Rome’s show at the UM; suggests ‘Bobbins, Baubles and Bells’; wants to go to an institution; on her physical symptoms; refers to her overdeveloped sense of tragedy; outlines the things she is worrying about concerning him, when she does not hear from him; has always been like this but is worse now; asks that he write once a week; asks which he loves better, the Standard or her (autogr.)
/17 Ibid., 26 Mar – has no male relatives except the monster in San Francisco; neither had Webster; has never heard of Mrs Fisherman (Poisonier); the Ibo dish and Bini Ekpo have arrived; will send the Nupe as a gift from her; asks him to write a good price for the dish and mask; will write an obituary of Carl; thinks Helga Larsen would do it better; David has the Nupe mask at the UM ready to send; there would not be any duty; asks him to tell the Ethnographic staff to tell anyone who wants to get in touch with her to write to her at the BM; has decided to be in England 15 Aug.-30 Sept.; David can fly her over on his way to Libya; would like to go to Scotland; on an Upper Volta mask (autogr.; some water damage)
/5/18 WBF to MWP, 27 Mar. 1962 – has been getting more and more harrowing letters from her; hopes the two letters she has had will have improved matters; it makes him unhappy that she is unhappy; hopes she is not as unhappy as she seems; is moved by the extent of her dependence on him; she cannot doubt that he loves her as much as ever; the stresses and opportunities of the last few weeks have kept him from writing; she should know that she is mistress of her own soul and body; on the involvement of doctors; going into the Institute would atrophy her soul’s power of self-recovery; her soul produces symptoms, not from guilt but from delight in the exercise of power; refers to ‘Plassium’; if she is really unhappy she should come over; there are signs that her Philadelphia life is not enough for her; she needs her beautiful pied-à-terre in Philadelphia but should only spend about half the year there; she cannot afford not to come, if she is to be happy; it is a long time since she came to Europe at any time other than Christmas; thinks she should spend most of the summer there; on his Jury Service; discusses RAI business concerning a constitutional change; asks her to arrange for H. Rome to bring the gong. 4 pages (autogr.)
/19 Ibid., 28 Mar. – forgot to enclose this letter [not held] from Mrs Templeton; cannot think of a reply except ‘don’t be silly’; was delighted to get a letter from her [MWP] showing no trace of depression or anxiety; on sending the Nupe mask; if Harold Rome is coming in Apr. he could bring it; on a musical called ‘I Can Get It For You Wholesale’ which presumably related to Harold’s effort; refers to a quotation from Webster; discusses the difference between bobbins and pulleys; includes sketches; discusses the West African narrow loom (autogr.)
/20 MWP to WBF, nd – on dictionary definitions of the word ‘bobbin’; asks if an edition of the New Yorker has arrived; Carl left his collection to the National Museum of Copenhagen; Harold’s show got fine reviews; encloses a review by Walter Kerr; had a letter from Helen Digby; asks if he has heard from Fred; on Mortimer; was depressed on Saturday; she got drunk and had a lost weekend; Francis is sick again; asks him to let her know when the Nupe mask arrives (autogr.)
/21 Walter Kerr, ‘First Night Report’ – review of ‘I Can Get It for You Wholesale’ (newspaper cutting) [enclosed with /5/20]
/5/22 MWP to WBF, 31 Mar. 1962 – she is mentally unbalanced but so is he; so are lots of other people; his not writing was the cause of her depression but not of her forgetfulness or inability to concentrate; she will not grow old gracefully; quotes from Dylan Thomas; on watching a TV film with Ernest; discusses Ernest; refers to Stevie and Mortimer; on high blood pressure, Webster’s and hers; as soon as she gets a letter from him she unwinds; is planning a trip abroad in Aug. and Sept. with Bill Bertolet; is planning to go to Edinburgh; Ernest would like to come too but is far from well; thanks him for the Clare Templeton suggestions; on the Institute having her as a patient; her ailment is not controllable by her; on her medication; agrees she is dependent on him; he might as well accept this; is worried by the British-American rift; mentions Kennedy. 3 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/23 Ibid., 2 Apr. – the ‘male relative’ has turned up [see /5/14]; he got the name of the city in which she dwells from the BM; he is Richard Gable, the son of a school friend of her mother’s; on the connection between the families; on Richard Gable, who saw Webster’s obituary in London in 1952; he is an amateur Egyptologist; he has many films from Egypt and East Africa; he really thought they were cousins; so it is all right (autogr.)
/24 Ibid., 5 Apr. – had a charming letter from Adrian about the gong; he had talked to Francis about organizing an American Friends of the British Museum; she explained to Mortimer that the gong was on loan; in the event of her death, death duties could be charged against it; is also leaving to the BM all African art in her possession at the time of her death; he might ask Francis via Adrian how Rothenstein set up the American Friends of the Tate Museum; mentions Admiral Egerton; on tax deductions for gifts to museums; on capital gains tax (autogr.)
/25 WBF to MWP, Passion Sunday, 8 Apr. – discusses the gong, which is now in his keeping; is arranging two new cases in the King Edward VII Gallery; refers to the damage caused to the Epstein gong when the Munich show was being dismantled; on the insurers; on the value of the gong; on an evening spent with Harold (autogr.; some water damage)
/26 Herald Tribune, 11 Apr. – ‘The Lesson in Steel’ (newspaper cutting)
/5/27 MWP to WBF, 13 Apr. 1962 – on a scene she had with Goldwater concerning the gong; she told Goldwater he could buy the mended Epstein gong; suggests WBF write to Goldwater; thinks people will say awful things about her in New York (autogr.; some water damage)
/28 Ibid., post-15 Apr. – on sending Teixeira da Mota a Munich catalogue; tells him to ask him for a piece on his staffs for Man (autogr.); [on verso:] A. Teixeira da Mota to MWP, 15 Apr. – refers to her letter [not held]; WBF has not sent him the catalogue of the Munich exhibition; he is a bad correspondent; on his work (autogr.)
/29 WBF to MWP, 21 Apr. – it was naughty of her to pass on his diagnosis of Mrs Templeton’s case to her; he was just trying to cheer her up with a jesting diagnosis; discusses Mrs Templeton; mentions the Metternich Stele; discusses the new Webster; on the Oxford Dictionary (autogr.)
/30 Ibid., ibid. – discusses Robert and Adrian, and their letters concerning the gong; suggests what she might write to Robert; on Adrian’s Report to the Trustees on the receipt of the gong; on insurance of the gong; on the two new cases; supposes it will be the best exhibition of its kind in the world; on the collection at Lagos; thanks her for the photographs of the big mask bought by the UM; discusses the mask and others like it; hopes she will persevere with the project for Friends of the BM. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/31 MWP to WBF, 24 Apr. – on David Shelton’s secretary Ruth Gates who is going to be in London in June; asks him to take her out; describes her; will ask Fred and Marianne to look out for her in Munich; asks him to put in the cheque; on Easter; on a dinner she cooked; Fred is in the chips again; discusses the fake Benin leopards; discusses Harold; mentions BEBF; on the KC Museum catalogue (autogr.)
/32 WBF to MWP, 27 Apr. – refers to her letter of 24 Apr. [/5/31]; has deposited the cheque; his jury service has been postponed; on looking after Ruth Gates; discusses the cheque again; asks her to give Ernest Harding his regards; on a photograph which Harold took of him, which shows him as bug-eyed; will try to write to Kat Merkel about the leopard head and the KC catalogue; on the Nupe mask; explains why it has still not arrived here (autogr.; some water damage)
/5/33 MWP to WBF, post-30 Apr. 1962 – on the cheque; money worries are bad for her psyche; is not coming over until Aug.; on some pieces mentioned in the letter on verso (autogr.); [on verso:] Robert Goldwater to Members, 30 Apr. – announces the acquisition of four sculptures from the collection of the late Sir Jacob Epstein; they are currently on view and will remain on exhibition until the middle of June (tp.)
/34 MWP to WBF, May – on letters she has to send out [see verso]; wishes she could make definite plans for the summer; it seems unlikely that Bill Bertolet can come with her; refers to David’s Leptis Magna dig; when she comes over she must sort out photos of Webster’s; refers to WBF’s letter for tax relief; on buying shares; discusses Clare (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage); [on verso:] MWP to [alumnae of Bryn Mawr], May – on the Bequest Programme of the College; quotes from letters from Natalie McFaden Blanton and Con Hall Proctor; seeks bequests (tp.)
/35 MWP to WBF, post-1 May – asks him to send the MPA insurance bill to her; refers to a crack about ‘precedents for this behaviour’; suggests he ignore the letter; on a Bryn Mawr girl Antoinette Killip who may call on him (autogr.) [on verso:] Ruth [Gates] to MWP, 1 May – on the Amexco itinerary; appreciates her interest and help; thanks her for the Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin showing some of the African art she will see at the BM; on booklets dealing with French and Italian phrases (tp. with autogr. note by MWP)
/36 MWP to WBF, post-1 May – discusses Ruth Gates and David Shelton; asks him to send the insurance bill (autogr.) [on verso:] Robert Goldwater to MWP, 1 May – thanks her for letter making clear the situation of the gong; on insurance; on her suggestion that the MPA might have kept the gong simply because it was in their possession; refers to precedents for this behaviour; is grateful to her (tp.)
/37 WBF to MWP, 13 May – on a copy of her letter to Robert [not held]; on the latest struggle concerning the RAI; on the new Council; discusses further her letter to Robert; on a letter he had from Robert; on settling on the title ‘Nigerian Images’ for the book based on his five Nigerian shows (autogr.; some water damage)
/5/38 MWP to WBF, post-15 May 1962 – mentions the cost of being a Fellow of the African Studies Association; on their travel grants; on his coming to America in Oct.; if they turn him down for a grant she will raise hell with Mel (autogr.; some water damage) [on verso:] L. Gray Cowan, African Studies Association, to Fellows, 15 May – on travel grant to attend the fifth annual meeting; includes application form (tp.)
/39 MWP to WBF, 25 May – discusses her income tax return (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/40 WBF to MWP, 27 May – discusses Mrs Templeton; mentions Vaillant; asks about her Nigerian show; refers to McEwen’s exhibition in Salisbury; on Stolper (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/41 Ibid., 30 May – on a boxwood Madonna she bought shortly after her husband’s death; on the price she paid for it; on its current value; encloses an invitation to a reception on 14 June to view the latest exhibition; everyone at the Museum is looking forward to her next visit to London (autogr. draft)
/42 Ibid., ibid. – hopes the enclosed [/5/41] will serve her purpose; it was difficult for him to go much farther; on the Nupe mask; on the ‘Crash that Failed’; on her putting her money into diamonds; on psychoanalysis; mentions Colin Turnbull; mentions Cooney (autogr.; some water damage)
/43 MWP to WBF, 5 June – on Ruth Gates; on things she will see in the BM (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/44 Ibid., ibid. – on Ruth Gates (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/45 Ibid., ibid. [as per postmark] – she wrote to Sturgis about the Friends; on the discussion they had about the subject; his wife is ill; mentions John O’Hara; on her crush; on someone who was picked up for indecent exposure in Hyde Park; wants to add some enclosures. 4 pages (autogr.; water damaged)
.1 Herald Tribune, nd – John O’Hara, ‘…But Don’t Tell the White House’ (newspaper cutting) [enclosed with /5/45]
.2 Ibid., 3 June – ‘Yes, Virginian, there is a Herald Tribune’ (newspaper cutting annotated by MWP) [enclosed with /5/45]
/5/46 MWP to WBF, post-7 June 1962 – refers to this girl’s letter [see verso]; on her comments on WBF; is sunburned; is going to a dinner given by Henri Dona; on Frank Francis coming here in the autumn; – on the Stock Market fall; a trip to England alone seems extravagant; on her expenses; asks if she mentioned Ann Longstreth who may show up. 2 leaves (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage) [on verso:] [Clare Templeton] to MWP, 7 June – on MWP’s appearance; on photographs of her; discusses WBF; on Webster’s photographs; on lions; refers to ‘that Gibbs by Hoffman’; mentions the Nigerian governor general; MWP has a gift for assonance (tp.; part missing)
/47 WBF to MWP, 12 June – Francis never consulted him about the Friends; on Sturgis’ hornblower; will do his best to entertain Ruth Gates; on his jury service; refers to his Central African trip which seems to be on; refers to a party this Thursday; on an invitation (autogr.; some water damage)
/48 MWP to WBF, 13 June – on a letter from Charles; refers to Fang heads; refers to his passion for the Yoruba; thinks he ought to come here rather than her going there (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/49 Ibid., 15 June – thanks him for the note about Ruth; refers to his Central African trip; discusses various plans for spending time together; asks if his mother would let him go to Edinburgh with her; she wants to spend some days with Brian; on places to stay in Edinburgh; Ted Kidder fell out of a window in his sleep; mentions Lipschitz (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/50 Ibid., 21 June – mentions Kathy (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/51 Ibid., 23 June – mentions a book coming out to be called ‘Nigeria, 2000 Years of African Sculpture’; mentions the AMSAC Conference next week; went to Cape [May] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/52 Ibid., 27 June – on his being involved in a bicycle accident with a taxi; suggests he lose weight; mentions the Gulbenkian book; asks if the accident will wreck his Salisbury plans; on Ruth Gates (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/53 WBF to MWP, 27 June – mentions his accident; on Ruth Gates; on his jury service; describes the details of his accident; refers to flying on 14 July; returns on 13 Aug.; hopes she manages to come over (autogr.; some water damage)
[No number 54]
/5/55 Ibid., 10 July 1962 – was disappointed not to hear from him today; on receiving replies to important questions before he goes to Africa; on a dinner she held; on the weather; on the hills; on a Son et Lumière show (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/56 WBF to MWP, 13 July – is leaving tomorrow morning for Kampala; on clearing the decks before getting away; on his recovery from a broken clavicle; on a problem with one of his teeth; on her allusion to trouble at the Seattle Fair; would love to come over but Oct. and Nov. are a bad time because of RAI business; hopes she will reconsider and decide to come over, maybe in Sept.; on writing to Frank McEwen; refers to Lommel’s book (autogr.; some water damage)
/57 MWP to WBF, 17 July – mentions Dean Rusk; asks him to take black and white photographs of African museums (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/58 WBF to MWP, 23 July – when he is abroad without her he spends time imagining she is with him; on Kampala and Dar es Salaam; on the Indians there; coastal Africans are different from the interior peoples; on the museums; has given four lectures so far; it is a pity not to see Kenya this time; on the government; on a trip to Bagamoyo; on his addresses; they should go to Africa together sometime (autogr.; some water damage)
/59 MWP to WBF, 24 July – on her health; mentions James and Dorothy Porter; on Willis James; tells him to speak clearly and smile (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/60 WBF to MWP, 26 July – has reached Lusaka; on the prices of his accommodation and meals; describes his travels; on his shoulder (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/61 MWP to WBF, 31 July – on her health; is glad he is having an interesting time; asks him not to forget exterior photos of museums; is glad she did not get to Seattle before this disease hit her (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/62 Ibid., 6 Aug. – on writing to Adrian; on her health; yearns to hear more of his trip (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/5/63 WBF to MWP, 9 Aug. – refers to her birthday; has been wonderfully busy; discusses the Congress; his slides are greatly admired; on her health[?] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/64 MWP to WBF, 15 Aug. – on greetings from Victoria Falls; on her health; longs to see him (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/65 Ibid., 20 Aug. – is worried at not hearing from him; on her health; even Bentley and Adrian have written to her; asks him to make an effort to get in touch (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/66 WBF to MWP, 22 Aug. – is sorry to hear from her letter that she is in so much pain; refers to her illnesses; believes her ailments are created by her subconscious; on doctors; gives suggestions as to what has caused her latest illness; refers to Webster’s death; thinks she ought to come to Europe for a couple of months; wishes he were with her to comfort her; on the Congress; on the two papers he gave; he and Bill Bascom trounced a German task force; on the excursions; took some 540 pictures during the trip; on a letter he wrote on 9 Aug. [/5/63]; on James Porter falling ill; on a presidential address by Adrian; on conducting the Chief Douglas MacPepple Jaja round the museum; did take pictures of the outsides of museums; suggests they meet again soon. 6 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/67 Ibid., 24 Aug. – was shocked by the cable he received saying she was [ill]; refers to his cable and a letter which he wrote; half of the letter may seem unrealistic; on other letters each has written; if she were in imminent danger he would come over; refers to the Crownolet; hopes Kathy would call him if it seemed imperative; hopes the crisis passes soon and that she can come over later in the year (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/5/68 Ibid., 24 Aug. 1962 – it was wonderful to hear her voice; her pain was obvious but she was not ‘desperately’ ill as Charlie’s cable suggested; the last 19 hours have been among the worst of his life; it is reassuring in a way that she is alone in the apartment at night but he thinks she ought not to be alone; suggests Pearlie Mae sleep over, or someone else; he wants her alive for many years yet; has a dream of greeting her in their customary fashion on her 90th birthday; asks about her lungs; quotes from her letter of 31 July [/5/61]; quotes from her letter of 24 July [/5/59]; on the dates when he received various letters; when he got her letter complaining that he had not written since she fell ill he knew that something had gone wrong; asks her to give a connected account of what happened; hopes that lack of word from him did not make her condition worse; hopes that someone will have the responsibility of summoning him in case of dire need; refers to Webster’s death; would always be ready to telephone her or to be telephoned. 6 pages (autogr.)
/69 MWP to WBF, 25 Aug. – can write more comfortably; Adrian has written twice from Mexico; on people he has seen; his letter of 9 Aug. [/5/63] has not come; on Willis James the musicologist; mentions Groucho Marx on the ‘Late Show’ (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/70 Jimmy [Porter] to MWP, 27 Aug. – it has been difficult to collect his thoughts; on visitors; mentions Dorothy; hopes by now she has obtained relief from the agony she must have suffered; two of his friends have been hospitalized for a similar thing but both have recovered; his own condition is greatly improved; hopes to be discharged from hospital in two or three days; on telling WBF the details of her ailment; WBF is expert in leading conferences such as the one at Salisbury; on Frank McEwen; on WBF’s lectures at the Conference; on Bascom; WBF helped to keep Land’s feet on the ground with respect to Dogon sculpture; on the enthusiasm of some students of African art; regrets that when Joe was scheduled to speak he was in the hospital; Joe reported that what he had to say was well-received; more on Frank McEwen; on the Chopi orchestra and dancers; on his health; prays that she will be all right; on her helping him to attend the Conference; he shall feel strengthened in his faith in religion if she is restored to health. 8 pages (autogr.; annotated by MWP)
/71 MWP to WBF, 28 Aug. – on her health; is sorry about Salisbury; on Jimmy Porter’s health (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/5/72 MWP to WBF, 31 Aug. – defines ‘atelectasis’; she feels better and more cheerful; Ernest is back in hospital (autogr.; water damaged)
/73 Ibid., 3 Sept. – on her health (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/74 Ibid., 5 Sept. – refers to the New Yorker of 1 Sept.; asks him to thank Bentley for her (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/75 WBF to MWP, 8 Sept. – refers to her letters; wishes he could come and nurse her; discusses her health; mentions the Crownolet; on Adrian; he [WBF] is working on a program on African art arising from the Salisbury Conference for ‘Monitor’; made quite a lot of progress last week with the book (autogr.; some water damage)
/76 11 Sept. – ‘Lineup for School T Premier’ (newspaper cutting)
/77 MWP to WBF, 12 Sept. – (autogr.; almost entirely illegible due to water damage)
/78 Ibid., 13 Sept. – asks him to send black and white photos of the outsides of museums, with notes of the directors’ names and the museums’ contents on the back; is going to try to get [John Hatch?] to lecture at Bryn Mawr; describes him; mentions Horace Mann Bond and James Baker (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage) [on verso:] MWP to John Hatch, 30 Aug. – has been in hospital; his note has remained unanswered as her right arm has been paralysed; on WBF photographing the outside of all the East African Museums; he will send prints with notes of the names of the directors and the contents of the museums; will pass these on to him; is glad he enjoyed her piece in the Bryn Mawr Alumnae News (tp.)
/79 Ibid., 20 Sept. – the Crownolet is home; mentions the Porters (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/80 […?], the Museum of Primitve Art, to MWP, ibid. – refers to her letter; was distressed to read about her illnesses; visited both Philadelphia museums last week but was told she was absent; thanks her for the invitation; it is unlikely that [he/she] can visit Phiadelphia again (autogr.); MWP to WBF, nd – instructs him to open any mail that comes for her to the BM; on John Stifel; mentions the Chang girl; mentions Fred Duerr (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/5/81 WBF to MWP, 20 Sept. 1962 – Adrian asked him to forward the enclosed letter from Chang; adds a copy of the notice in the Times of the Salisbury Congress; on the ‘Monitor’ programme; on his fee; he was preceded by nearly half an hour of Orson Welles talking (autogr.; some water damage)
/82 MWP to WBF, 27 Sept. – asks him to write soon about the MPA project and about her Christmas plans; she is not well enough to travel alone or to stay in a small flat; she dislikes the gossip about them; would like to be with him in Rome or Sicily; maybe he could come to America in the spring; next summer she could probably come to England; asks him to comment on the international situation; this [see verso] strikes her as a waste of money; asks for his opinion; mention Francis Gibbs (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage) [on verso:] John de Menil, Museum of Primitive Art, to MWP, 25 Sept. – on the knowledge of African art increasing; the great gap is history; asks for her support in laying the foundations of a verifiable history of African sculpture; on the cost of Carbon-14 testing; estimates that $7,500 will enable them to establish dates of three representative style series of African sculpture; asks for contributions. 2 leaves (tp.)
/83 MWP to WBF, 1 Oct. – (autogr.; almost illegible due to water damage)
/84 Ibid., 7[?] Oct. – (autogr.; almost illegible due to water damage)
/85 WBF to MWP, 8 Oct. – refers to her letter of 5 Oct. [not held]; it was one of her off days; expects she is already cheerful again; refers to the way David wants to do the African gallery; the comparative method is not a bad way of exhibiting the material; she should not fall out with David over it; describes what he would do if he became curator of the Pitt Rivers Museum; asks her to let him know how she makes out; refers to politicking; has written a 2,500 word document which is being circulated to Council; will [send] her a copy (autogr.; some water damage)
/86 MWP to WBF, 10 Oct. – refers to his last letter; has not had any word since; supposes he is fed up with her; she has servants round the clock which she hates; on the cost; he should not worry about the winter trip; she is not even well enough to go to New York; the exhibition will be superb; will try to write to Leon soon; on treatment which knocked her out (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/5/87 Ibid., 14 Oct. 1962 – refers to his letter which made her feel better; on her health; asks him to send the 2,500 word RAI memo; Ernest is still in bed; he grappled with a robber (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/88 Ibid., 15 Oct. – reports on a conversation with Fro; on Leon’s private view; wishes he were here (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/89 Ibid., post-16 Oct. – was impressed by his memo for the RAI; hates to see him wasting his energies on a thankless cause; on complaining of feeling badly; needs someone to lean on; mentions Stevie, Mortimer and Francis; mentions his income tax troubles; doubts she will be well enough for a trip at Christmas; she wrote to Kath. Sergeant White and told her about Nan’s ‘English Year’; on going to Pittsburgh and Uniontown (autogr.; water damaged) [on verso:] Katharine S. White, the New Yorker, to MWP, 16 Oct. – refers to her letter; on Nan Fairbrother Mackenzie and her book; was entertained by the excerpt from WBF’s letter; on raising money for Bryn Mawr (tp.)
/90 MWP to WBF, 24 Oct. – mentions Douglas Fraser; discusses his ‘Primitive Art’; mentions his income tax difficulties and the RAI; on a couple named Desjardins (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/91 Ibid., 29 Oct. – on charming letters from Adrian and Frank Francis; would like to give the ivory gong to the British Museum; the exhibition of Harold’s collection is a success; David is getting on with the African gallery; on rewriting ‘A Walk Through the Gallery’; on two girls who spent the afternoon with her; on her health; asks about his TV show on Salisbury; on a hamper from Fortnum’s for Christmas (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/92 Ibid., ibid. – the most important matter on which she wished to consult him was the Desjardins at Haverford; on Balega masks; includes drawing; mentions Carlebach; mentions ‘Primitive Art’ by Douglas Fraser (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
MS 502
/5/93 Ibid., post-2 Nov. 1962 – refers to John de Menil [see verso]; discusses Carbon-14 testing; [de Menil] has not read WBF’s essay in the Brooklyn catalogue; mentions Stolper’s man Lipkin; asks if he sent a copy of her 1961 lecture to the MPA; on testing things; wishes he would gather up her last ten letters and answer her questions; is unspeakably busy; on her health; mentions the Desjardins; they deal with Stolper and Segy; it is a difficult position for her with no help from him; knows what he is up against at the RAI; on Arnold Newman and others came. 3 leaves (autogr.; water damaged; [on verso:] John de Menil to MWP, 2 Nov. – refers to his previous letter [/5/82 verso] concerning the Museum’s Carbon-14 testing programme; the response of collectors has been encouraging; the Museum would be grateful for her support (tp.); [on verso:] Philip Dark, Southern Illinois University, to ibid., ibid. – refers to her letter; was sorry to hear she had been ill; was delighted that the Salisbury Conference went well and that WBF was the star turn; on the Chicago show; on teaching at the University of British Columbia; on travelling on the north-west coast; discusses the Chicago show further; is glad she is progressing with her biography of Oba Esigie; on the Benin work here; they have made detailed tabulations; one was of all the musical instruments on the plaques [see MS 499/13/45] for an Ethnomusicology Symposium at the RAI; has finished a draft list of all heads in the round [see MS 499/6/62] 2 leaves (tp.)
/94 MWP to WBF, 2 Nov. – has not been getting along very well lately; everyone is kind to her but she feels everyone would be better off if she were dead; on her ‘old men’; mentions Mortimer; mentions Phil Dark’s letter [/5/93 verso]; discusses a possible trip to Italy (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/95 WBF to MWP, 3 Nov. – discusses RAI matters; refers to Cuba; discusses Kennedy; mentions his income tax; refers to her drawing of the Desjardins’ heart-shaped Balega mask [see /5/92]; on Fraser’s book; is sorry her efforts failed about Friends of the Tate; shall be delighted [if she] gives them the gong; quotes from a newspaper reference to his ‘Monitor’ programme; asks about the New Yorker (autogr.; water damaged)
/5/96 MWP to WBF, 8 Nov. 1962 – is beginning to feel better; refers to the Time piece on the Underwood show; she has been working hard on the show; on the election; one of the factors contributing to her recovery is finding that she cannot depend on him; she must make up her own mind; is making plans for an Easter trip to Italy and then London; on her health; on rereading some of his letters; mentions the death of Bob Boatwright; mentions the RAI and WBF’s tax ‘mess’ (autogr.; water damaged)
/97 Ibid., 10 Nov. [as per postmark] – is showering him with letters; is feeling better; on hampers from Fortnum & Mason’s; on finances; has sent Fraser’s book to Joe Hill (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/98 Ibid., 15 Nov. – dislikes their one-sided correspondence; reading his old letters reminds her that she is a burden to him; refers to his difficulties at the RAI; refers to his income tax; will be glad to help him; on getting $500 out of Mortimer; on her finances; on Kennedy; mentions Francis, who is growing senile (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/99 Ibid., 18 Nov. – it is hard to break the chains which bind her to him; he must forgive her if she writes too much; she will finish off her correspondence before the boys come for a plebeian dinner; on her health; on going to dinner with the Griswolds; it was a party to welcome home the Seymours; her work at the UM is finished although they have not yet collected the Leff material; they have dropped the idea of the Nigerian show; [is] fed up with the African art situation in America; has no lecture dates (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/5/100 WBF to MWP, 18 Nov. 1962 – refers to her upbraiding [him]; he loves her as much as [ever] but it is difficult to write more frequently; it was a joke about rereading his old letters; is not in real trouble about the income tax; on the RAI trouble; it is difficult to provide proof of love in letters; suggests a visit to her in Jan. or Feb.; if they spent time in Uniontown perhaps Jay [Leff] would put up money to cover WBF’s passage; refers to the libel action; asks her to dig up any dirt on the American plaintiff Prof. Henry E. Garrett; he would try to do some writing on ‘Nigerian Images’ while with her; mentions Paul W.’s ‘Primitive Art’; on Leff’s[?] catalogue; WBF is suspicious of some of the pieces; Joe Hill sent him a picture of one of his masks; the two little photographs of herself which she sent are charming; on Philip Dark’s catalogue; on the MPA’s testing programme; asks her to send any more information on it (autogr.; water damaged) [phot. 115789-115790]
/101 Ibid., 21 Nov. – sends a copy of his reply to de Menil; on a Benin terracotta head which de Menil bought at Carlebach’s; if de Menil comes to see him presumably he will hear about the C14 project from him; mentions Klejman having a Dogon trough dated; was delighted to have another letter from her; quotes from her letter which refers to breaking the chains of love [/5/99]; on her medicines; suggests she ask for a medicine to counteract the tendency to be nasty to him (autogr.)
/102 Ibid., 23 Nov. – on asking her for a copy of the New Yorker of 1 Sept. with a piece about Nigeria and BEBF; he gave his copy to Catherine and it is now out of stock; still hopes that one day they shall go to Nigeria together; perhaps in 1964 if the second Congress of African Culture is held there; on her assurance that she wanted to help financially to keep the Cockin and other pieces for the BM; should not like to ask for money, knowing how much she has had to spend on medical treatment; on the Cockin pieces; on Celia Barclay; Mrs Fuller has promised [the BM] the most important pieces of the collection; discusses some of the pieces; on the Epstein collection; the Trustees bought three pieces; on a Fang head which they did not buy; it looks as if it inspired Modigliani portraits; there might be a chance of changing [the Trustees’] minds if there were a reduction; hopes she will let the Fang gong stay on a loan a little longer (autogr.; water damage)
/103 MWP to WBF, 26 Nov. – refers to his last letter which cheered her; is better; on her health[?] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/5/104 Harper’s Magazine, Dec. – Carleton S. Coon, ‘New Findings on the Origin of Races’. 8 pages (printed with illegible autogr. notes by MWP)
/105 MWP to WBF, 2 Dec. – on writing him nasty letters; is sorry if she hurt his feelings; on her library job at the hospital; hopes she can come to England in the spring; Stevie is desperately ill; she promised she would help him out; mentions Francis and Mortimer; mentions the Fuller and Epstein collections; is going to Leff’s on 10 [Dec.] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/106 Ibid., 3 Dec. – on Jay Leff; on the stock market; on paying for his return flight; is feeling better in her head; mentions Stevie and Francis; has told him the gong is his (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/107 Herald Tribune, 9 Dec. – Morris E. Opler, ‘Did the Races Come From Different Ancestors?’, review of ‘The Origin of Races’ by Carleton S. Coon (newspaper cutting)
/108 The New York Times Book Review, ibid. – William W. Howells, ‘Our Family Tree’, review of ‘The Origin of Races’ by Carleton S. Coon; Ashley Montagu, ‘The Time Has Come to Take Another Look at Ourselves’, review of ‘Mankind Evolving’ by Theodosius Dobzhansky (newspaper cutting with autogr. notes by MWP)
/109 MWP to WBF, 10 Dec. – her boss at the hospital is a calligrapher; gives an example of his work; on a Keats exhibition at Penn; suggests he send his mother’s ‘Endymion’; did not get to Leff’s because of snow drifts; asks him to comment on Carl’s book; encloses reviews [/5/107 & /5/108]; he has resigned from the U of P (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/110 WBF to MWP, 18 Dec. – hopes the letter will reach her before Christmas; on Christmas cards; a hamper arrived; on dates in Jan. and Feb. for his visit; on [Jay Leff?] putting up money for WBF to finish his collection; on Roy Sieber; he urged WBF to let him know dates as he would like WBF to take part in a course at Bloomington; does not want to do another lecture tour; the main purpose is to be with her; he and his supporters had a great victory at the RAI (autogr.; some water damage)
/5/111 MWP to WBF, 22 Dec. 1962 – 18 Jan.-4 Feb. is fine; has written to Roy; is feeling well; mentions the Crownolet and her Benedictine friend; tells him not to bring a dinner jacket; suggests he bring his mother’s edition of ‘Endymion’; is calling Leff this afternoon; on going there on 25 [Jan.?]; she sold one of her Underwoods to Ruth Merriam; gave ‘Negro Rhythm’ to the PMA; on tax deduction; Bill Sharpe gives her free medicine and treatment at the hospital (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/112 Ibid., 27[?] Dec. – it is three weeks until he arrives; on his travel plans; they go to Leff’s on Saturday; has not heard from Roy; suggests WBF cable him; on dates for going to Bloomington; asks him not to forget to bring ‘Endymion’ and any other Keats items; refers to the frieze self-portrait; keeps giving away her Underwoods and Moores; Eliot is separated from Joan; Mrs Allen and Mabel yearn to see him; asks if he saw the man about Carbon-14; asks him to acknowledge the letter (autogr.; water damaged)
/113 WBF to MWP, 28 Dec. – refers to her letter accepting his proposal to visit in the second half of Jan.; is delighted; on travel arrangements; it will be interesting to see the new Idlewild; mentions Saarinen’s new airport at Washington; does not want to give up more than three days for Bloomington unless she can come too; on the slides he should bring; painfully bruised his knee dismounting from his bicycle (autogr.; some water damage)
/114 MWP to WBF, 29 Dec. – on sending Pan-Am a cheque; no word from Roy; on other dates during his visit; on David S.; WBF must watch that she does not get tired; he must meet her Benedictine; asks him to bring a bound copy of the Munich catalogue (autogr.; water damage)
/115 Ibid., post-31 Dec. – talked to Roy; Indiana is closed until 7 Jan.; would try to arrange for WBF to be there 28-30 [Jan.]; she would not think of going to Indiana with him; mentions Phil Dark and Willett; on a letter from Louise Hill; has made several dates for them but nothing professional except the three days at Leff’s; on Bill and David; on selecting pieces for the UM; on her work at the hospital; mentions Stevie; on her health; on her bronchoscopies; includes drawing. 3 pages (autogr.; water damaged) [on verso of leaf 2:] Pan American ticket advice form, 31 Dec. (printed and autogr. with autogr. note by MWP)
/5/116 Ibid., 3 Jan. 1963 – had already sent a cheque; since the date is changed will not have trouble getting it back; suggests he ring her from Idlewild; she will meet him at Philadelphia airport; no answer to her three letters to Roy; refers to the Salisbury slides; on the weather; she and the Crownolet must be in Uniontown on 19 [Jan.] to collect UM pieces (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/117 Ibid., 7 Jan. – Roy Sieber rang and all is well; outlines their programme in detail; tells him to get out his calendar and write it all down; she got quite excited planning it all; on her health; if she says she is tired he must let her rest; on Bill Sharpe; he and David have nothing in common except music; compares them; mentions Bill Bertolet; hopes he can settle the PanAm ticket business; on the fees for his lectures; asks if he remembers Henry Hope; the Porters are happy he is coming; the Alain Locke collection is at Howard [University]; Dorothy has been offered a job in Nigeria; Jim has had no job offer; on possibilities. 2 leaves (autogr.)
/118 Ibid., 10 Jan. – he will be leaving in a week and a day; has ordered a number of air tickets; has given the schedule to Roy and to Jay Leff; goes over some of the arrangements again (autogr.)
/119 WBF to MWP, ibid. – thanks her for three letters and the full itinerary; Sangorski’s said they had posted the Munich catalogue to her; paid for his PanAm ticket last week; grudges the three days in Indiana without her; will not let her get overtired; on his knee; on his weight; on the weather; thinks he had better go to New York to the MPA on Tuesday 29 [Jan.]; asks if she will come to join him (autogr.; some water damage)
/120 MWP to WBF, 11 Jan. – Bill Sharpe wants her to learn to write like him in ‘bastard cursive’; gives an example; on her library cards; does not see why she should change her chirography now; on her library work; will write to Adrian, Bentley and Francis about their piece in the Times; on Fro; on cooking; on her health; the main prescription for helping people like her is to lead a tranquil life but she and tranquility do not mix; Roy sent her a copy of his letter to WBF; Sangorski & Sutcliffe have sent the catalogue (autogr.)
/5/121 Ibid., 11 Jan. 1963 – asks for two more copies of the Sunday Times BM piece; discusses the piece; is furious that WBF’s picture is not in it; hopes she can come to England in the spring; on Stevie, Francis and Mortimer; Louise’s mother is in hospital; is very tired; on her dinner (autogr.)
/122 Ibid., 13 Jan. – hopes she gets over rising at 4.30 a.m. before he arrives; goes through her day yesterday, discussing her work at the library among other things; on her social engagements; describes her day today; mentions her health; outlines her plans for tomorrow and the days following; on Friday he will arrive; on the weather there and in London; has little trust in Jay Leff’s continued interest; asks WBF not to try to change any of her plans; Roy approved her schedule for Indiana; mentions Eliot and his wife. 2 leaves (autogr.)
/123 Ibid., 4 Feb. – is home, keyed up; today is the annual luncheon for the Athenaeum; Seymour Adelman is sorry WBF did not meet his friend David Randall at Bloomington (autogr. note)
/124 WBF to MWP, 10 Feb. – had a wonderful [time] during his two weeks with her; had wanted to see how she was after her illness; was delighted to find her so much her wonderful self; does not doubt the severity of the illness but her antibodies are well on the way to coping; she must be careful not to overtax her strength; refers to her learning to rest; is delighted with the job she has taken on at the hospital; on the weather in Britain; on a new television set; asks her to pass on all enquiries about Hakim[?]; asks if she could put up a little money towards the purchase of the Fang head; the Pitt Rivers decision is not to hand though he hears [it] has been offerdn to Desmond Clark; sends all the best to various friends (autogr.; some water damage)
/125 MWP to WBF, 16 Feb. – mentions Geraldine [Bruckner]; has been to Washington and saw the Abbot; mentions the National Library of Medicine; has been asked to lecture at a seminar on the ancient and medieval history of Africa; mentions Vernon Madkay; mentions Dorothy Porter (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/5/126 Ibid., 18 Feb. 1963 – discusses a detective; is looking through the yellow book for illustrations for her piece on Leff’s salt; on a nomoli she saw in Washington in Alan Davis’ collection; includes a diagram; discusses the Leff piece; on Davis and his collection; is not impressed with the idea of Desmond Clark as the Director of the P[itt] R[ivers]; she could make a contribution to the Fang head; she would not give more than $200; mentions Lady Epstein (autogr.)
/127 Ibid., post-19 Feb. – on renting a flat from the Ayrtons; on meeting him in Rome; suggests he write to Grottanelli; on coming to London; mentions Margretta (autogr.; water damaged); [on verso:] [Warren Robbins], Department of State, to MWP, 19 Feb. – confirms her engagement to lecture the Institute’s Foreign Area Analysis Course on ‘Culture in History’; on the fee (tp. with autogr. comments by MWP – they are setting up a Centre for Cross Cultural Communications; they want WBF on their letter-head as a consultant; water damaged)
/128 WBF to MWP, 20 Feb. – on hearing her voice; on her health; on the trip to Rome; discusses dates and leave; is going to Paris next week to an ICOM committee meeting; on sending her in 1961 a copy of his paper for the African History Conference; discusses his researches since publication of the book; discusses various artefacts; refers to his ‘Afro-Portuguese Ivories’ (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/129 MWP to WBF, 25 Feb. – thanks him for reply concerning the Afro-Portuguese Ivories; is flying to Rome on 7 Apr.; discusses some artefacts; includes drawings; on the trip to Rome (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/130 Ibid., c. 25 Feb. – on a letter from Phil Dark; refers to WBF’s girlfriend in Cleveland [Kat Merkel]; on writing back to Phil Dark (autogr.; water damaged) [on verso:] Daily Class Schedule for the Foreign Service Institute, Department of State, 25 Feb.-1 Mar. (tp.)
/5/131 Ibid., [26 Feb.] 1963 – is glad he got the Ekoi [see verso]; she is lecturing at the State Department tomorrow; Mennen Williams may come; Mel [Herskovits] died yesterday; she liked him, with all his faults; hopes he has had a lovely time in Paris (autogr.; water damaged) [on verso:] Roy Sieber to MWP, 22 Feb. – on her buying Bakuba cloths; is delighted that he can get some samples; it was a delight to have WBF there; got a letter from him about the Ekoi head, which is on his desk (tp.)
/132 MWP to WBF, 7 Mar. – overleaf he will see some of her Washington adventures; she was a great success; on social engagements; on her health; on the flat she is renting from the Ayrtons; on plans for the visit to London. 2 leaves (autogr.; water damaged) [on verso, leaf 1:] Warren Robbins to MWP, 26 Feb. – tells her how much he enjoyed his visit to Philadelphia; refers to her loan of art works for the new museum; thought she might like to have the book of poems by Marianne Moore; refers to ‘Who’s Who in America’; mentions Jim Porter; Allen Davis will be happy to have his soapstone figures photographed (tp. annotated by MWP); [on verso, leaf 2]: Daily Class Schedule for the Foreign Service Institute, Department of State (tp. with annotations by MWP, on her health; on the programme)
/133 Mary and Leon Underwood to MWP, 11 Mar. – on a reception on 23 Apr. at the Kaplan Gallery; Tiranti wants him to do an omnibus volume of the three African books (autogr.)
/134 MWP to WBF, post-11 Mar. – encloses letter from Leon [/5/133]; the Ayrtons have been very kind too; on her health; refers to the trip to Italy; his letters cheer her; mentions a letter from Steven Runciman (autogr.; water damaged) [on verso:] Elisabeth and Michael Ayrton to MWP, nd – confirm the party on 19 [Apr.]; on the guest list; they will be away from 21 [Apr.]; refer to the Benedictine Abbot; Michael is recovered but is far behind (tp. and autogr., annotated by MWP)
/5/135 WBF to MWP, 15 Mar. 1963 – it must be three weeks since he wrote; has been meaning to write but was waiting for proposals about the Italian trip; on having a writing holiday at Ravello working on ‘Nigerian Images’; on leave; cannot get any money from the BM; would like to do the whole trip with her if he can manage it; on the Mar. issue of Horizon with his piece in it; on the photographs in ‘Nigerian Images’; discusses the cloths from Jürgen; is longing to see her; on flight bookings and dates concerning the trip to Italy; on the pictures of the gong in the ILN; on writing to Brian about it. 2 leaves (autogr.; water damaged)
/136 [MWP] to WBF, 18 Mar. – on travel arrangements for going to Ravello (telegram)
/137 MWP to WBF, ibid. – on accommodation[?}; on her health; mentions a book Bill Sharpe has written; on the Abbot (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/138 Ibid., ibid. – agrees he can come to Ravello; hopes she will be well enough to go; on her health; on details of the trip to Italy; has not seen ILN or Horizon (autogr.)
/139 Ibid., ibid. – on finances for the trip; thinks he will have to leave on 18 [Apr.]; mentions the Abbot; on sights in Rome (autogr.; water damaged)
/140 Ibid., 19 Mar. – on her health; mentions Bill Sharpe; he is not to be asked to be consultant to the State Department’s Foreign Service Institute; she is giving Warren Robbins a big loan from the UM (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/141 Ibid., ibid. – on the trip to Italy[?]; includes a map; on Ravello; on being there in 1947; mentions Gino (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/142 WBF to MWP, 20 Mar. – refers to her cable [/5/136]; on flight details; is pleased that she would welcome his presence in Ravello; will bring the mock-up of ‘Nigerian Images’ for her to see; on suitable clothing for the trip; asks what books Joe Hill and Jim Porter are doing for Man; discusses the Foreign Service Institute proposal; refers to her three letters received this morning; will do his best to keep her quiet; on her health; discusses further flight details; concerning the Warren Robbins proposal, he [WBF] would have to give priority to the MPA in any possible conflict of interests; knows the cure for her condition but there will be little chance of applying it (autogr.; water damaged)
/5/143 MWP to WBF, 21 Mar. 1963 – on her health; on a carton of African grass cloths; itemizes these (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/144 WBF to MWP, 23 Mar. – it is generous of her to pay everything except his air fare; on dates and arrangements; it looks as if they are all set for a wonderful time; on her health; she ought to see the Merlyn Evanses while she is in London; his dreams of becoming Keeper have receded; on Desmond Clark; BEBF has accepted the post of Director of the P.R.; Adrian will be mortified (autogr.; some water damage)
/145 MWP to WBF, 25 Mar. – on prints of some of Allen’s pieces; he brought the […?] for the UM; describes it; includes sketches; on her health; on the trip to Italy (autogr.)
/146 William Sharpe to ibid., ibid. – discusses MWP’s tuberculosis; he views her trip to Europe with neutrality (autogr.)
/147 MWP to WBF, 26 Mar. – on the books Jim Porter and Joe Hill are doing; on her health; on watercolours; on the clothes he will need (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/148 WBF to MWP, 29 Mar. – on the word ‘thaumaturge’; on the letter from Bill Sharpe [/5/146]; wishes she would not imply that he will drive her into the grave by over-exertion; the opposite is the case, he is her human tranquilliser; discusses her spiritual energy; his slowness is better for her than speed; on plans for the trip; is glad she is taking up painting again; on the cloths (autogr.; some water damage)
/149 MWP to WBF, 2 Apr. – will do her best about Naples; on her arrival in Rome; on insurance; mentions Ravello and Amalfi. 4 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/150 Ibid., 28 Apr. – on her health; on the dangers of eating too much cheese in Italy; next time she comes to England she will come alone; is worried over the RAI; has talked to lots of people about the portfolio (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/5/151 Ibid., 4 May 1963 – has been praying for him during this difficult RAI week; on her health; on her work for the library; on discussing the prices of some pictures with Mabel Zahn [of Sessler’s bookstore in Philadelphia]; asks him to ask his mother if $100 would be all right (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/152 WBF to MWP, 5 May – thanks her for a wonderful holiday; on her health; it seems the trip did her little or no physical harm; he wants her to live as least as long as he does; on alternating periods of euphoria and […?]; advises her not to drink; mentions the Ayrtons; on his RAI campaign; on changes he has made in his house[?]; hopes she will come over again in the summer (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/153 MWP to WBF, 6 May [as per postmark] – thanks him for his letter; is feeling better; on Kathy McBride; she [MWP] had a lovely time in Italy and England; on her finances; on refurnishing the President’s House; suggests coming to London and working for him for free (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/154 Ibid., 16 May – is going with Allan Davis to Southern Virginia on 1 June to see Harley; on Harley’s books; on a letter from Leon; she feels better; did a good lecture; next weekend she is going to the Chaim Gross housewarming; had a long talk with the boys about the horrors of old age in America; decided she must look up some old friends; she loved the holiday; she is reasonably content; refers to the ‘Stevie business’; hopes he will let her know if $100 is all right for the four little pictures; asks him to send slides from Ravello and Paestum. 4 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/155 Herald Tribune, 2 June – article on the New Yorker. 2 leaves (newspaper cutting)
/156 MWP to WBF, post-3 June – (autogr.; illegible due to water damage); [on verso:] Philip J.C. Dark to Dr Sherwin Abrams, Director of Programs, SIU, 3 June – refers to a letter of 1 June saying that WBF hoped to visit the United States in Jan. and Feb.; on WBF’s credentials as an international authority on African Art; Dr Taylor, the chairman of the Department of Anthropology, has asked him to submit a request for $400 to bring WBF to SIU to spend five or six days there; he would give two lectures and hold two seminars; Mr Breland, Chairman of the Art Department’s Committee on Visiting Artists and Lecturers, would be interested in the proposal (tpc.)
/5/157 MWP to WBF, 6 June 1963 – his has been the silence of death; refers to the letter from Phil Dark [on verso]; he will notify Roy (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage) [on verso:] [Philip Dark] to MWP, 3 June – on her health; on meeting up with Roy; on the trip to Italy; will find out tomorrow if he can get any money for WBF; on him giving two lectures and a couple of seminars; on WBF committing to dates (tp.)
/158 WBF to MWP, 8 June – alludes to her health; relates to her a long and remarkable story concerning items in the catalogue of the Drouot sale; the pieces had been stolen and smuggled out of Nigeria; on his attempts with BEBF and John Picton to stop the sale of the pieces in Paris; now he is behind with ‘Nigerian Images’ (autogr.; some water damage)
/159 MWP to WBF, 22 June – he is supposed to have finished ‘Nigerian Images’ by 25 [June]; he chooses to do more than he is able to accomplish; he sacrifices other interests, such as her. 4 pages (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/160 WBF to MWP, 28 June – refers to her letter in which she talks of giving up the apartment and moving to the Barclay; he is alarmed; asks if she has sold or sublet the apartment; on writing to Philip Dark; refers to the libel action; thinks he could leave early Feb. and return early Mar.; on Roy; hopes she will come out and take part in the seminars; ‘Nigerian Images’ is going quite well; begs her not to abandon her trip to England this summer (autogr.; some water damage)
/161 MWP to WBF, 2 July – on Ernest and Charlie; she had to move; on the apartments at the Barclay; on things she is giving away or selling; on her health; on going to Washington; on doing ‘What in the World?’ (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/162 Ibid., 5 July – on Pearlie Mae and her new job; on her own new apartment; on furnishings and household items; is giving the two Paninis to Bryn Mawr; is keeping all her Underwoods except one; is keeping all her African art books; hopes to get to England, perhaps at the end of Sept.; asks what he thinks of the new Archbishop of Westminster; she loves Father Abbot; is delighted about the RAI elections; now he must finish his book and articles; tells him Stevie’s troubles; on Stevie’s wife. 6 pages (autogr.; water damaged)
/5/163 WBF to MWP, 7 July 1963 – on her move to the Barclay; her proposed way of life sounds fine to him; asks if it will be easier or less easy for her to come abroad; on a letter from Philip; on an invitation to lecture to the Foreign Service Institute; the book is not finished but he is keeping the publishers happy; on getting the book to Praeger in time for publication in Oct.; mentions David’s idea of putting on a travelling show on ‘Nigerian Images’; shall be grateful for anything further that David does about the project; as soon as he can he will send her a manuscript or typescript; asks her to come over in Sept.; mentions Macmillan (autogr.; some water damage)
/164 Ibid., 3 Aug. – considering the pressure under which he has been working he has not been a bad correspondent; on their respective birthdays; shall try to post her the manuscript of ‘Nigerian Images’ as a gift; his publishers regard him as a model author in terms of meeting deadlines; believes the book will be a good one; believes that Praeger has underestimated the demand for the book so there may be a reprint soon; on her offer to his mother for the pictures; she agreed; asks if there is a possibility of her coming over this summer (autogr.)
/165 William Sharpe to WBF, 5 Aug. – refers to WBF’s letter [not held]; it takes a while to settle in a new situation; describes his situation; discusses MWP’s health; is glad that she will be at the Barclay Hotel; on her work at Bryn Mawr and the hospital; is pained by her mood swings; hopes she will visit him [in New Jersey] (autogr.)
/166 WBF to MWP, 14 Aug. – refers to her letter of 6 Aug. [not held]; on a cheque which she said she was enclosing but did not; she seems despondent about leaving 334 [Spruce Street]; wonders if she ought to reconsider; he wrote the last words for ‘Nigerian Images’ last Sunday; has written quite a lot of extra matter in the past couple of weeks; the plates are all printed; on the whole the plates please him; on a letter from David about the proposed exhibition; in his reply he suggested that spring would be better; refers to the letter from Bill Sharpe [/5/165]; her letters are fewer than in the last few weeks (autogr.; some water damage)
/5/167 Ibid., 15 Aug. 1963 – forgot to tell her that Adrian’s daughter Meg is in hospital in France following a serious motor accident; Nicky went over there; gathers that Meg is being brought home in a few days; on Henry Moore’s OM; he has a big show on; refers to his own little show at the AIA; has been asked by Studio & Vista Books to do a paperback on African sculpture; gives details; it is an attractive idea; wonders if they could collaborate; on the subtitle for the American edition of ‘Nigerian Images’ (autogr.)
/168 Ibid., 23 Aug. – his mother was delighted with the cheque; is glad she likes her new quarters; on Philadelphia; on her weight loss; was serious in proposing that they do the book on sculpture together; the editor welcomes the idea; it will be the cheapest book on the market on the subject but he thinks they could produce a first-class book; discusses details of the possible book; asks for her ideas; if she agrees he would like her to come over for consultation, preferably in Sept.; on a book by Elsy Leuzinger (autogr. with autogr. additions by MWP; some water damage)
/169 MWP to WBF, 2 Sept. – is writing to David Herbert to ask him to have Duttons’ man come over about the book; there is not a remote possibility of her coming to London; she feels well when she stays put; mentions BEBF; discusses Hayakama; mentions various other people; is worried about money although her investments are doing well. 4 pages (autogr.; water damaged)
/170 WBF to MWP, 4 Sept. – asks if she has written to David Herbert about the book; discusses the situation between Studio Vista and Duttons; their own interest is to keep as much freedom of action as possible; has not explained to Herbert that she is a genius as he does not know him that well yet; Herbert was mystified as to how they could collaborate from opposite sides of the Atlantic; WBF reassured him; describes the background to Studio & Vista Books; on the budget for the Series they are planning; the title is to be ‘African Sculpture’; on the structure of the book; on the date of publication; her last few letters suggest that she is suffering from depressed life force; discusses her psychological condition; he suggested their collaboration as an incentive to her to start living again; on her weight loss; thinks there is no reason why she should not do some travelling this year; on ‘Nigerian Images’. 4 pages (autogr.)
/5/171 MWP to WBF, post-5 Sept. 1963 – on the son of her neurologist, who is coming to London to study; asks him to show him the Plass Collection; on some art works; on sedatives (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage); [on verso:] Bernard J. Alpers to MWP, 5 Sept. – is grateful for her kindness in writing to WBF; his son was excited about meeting him personally (tp.)
/172 Dorothy [Bess] to MWP, 6 Sept. – it was good of her to write;; has been finishing the Robert Murphy memoirs which she and Demaree were preparing; has postponed personal correspondence; the work ‘shoved’ her through the shock (tp. with autogr. additions from MWP to WBF on the death of Demaree [Bess]; asks when the Director will be here)
/173 MWP to WBF, 18 Sept. – has arranged to come to London by herself; is manic but healthy; on her appearance; she can drink again and is eating well; everyone is good and kind to her; asks him to write (autogr.)
/174 WBF to MWP, 22 Sept. – is overjoyed that she is coming in Nov.; on accommodation; the Athenaeum Court is better than the Connaught; asks her to tell everyone that it is a working trip; Bryan Cranstone is off to New Guinea so she could use his desk; he cannot spend a lot of time on his own book during official hours; discusses practicalities of access to the Museum; hopes they can spend a few days on the continent; however he has no spare days of leave if he is to spend most of Feb. in America; could try to get three to five days of special leave to look at collections in Belgium, Holland and France; on criteria for choosing the pieces to feature in their book; 5 Dec. is a good day for her to leave as he has an RAI Council meeting that afternoon; her new home looks delightful in the photographs she sent; on slides (autogr.; some water damage)
/175 MWP to WBF, 24 Sept. – on his enthusiasm for her arrival; refers to his letter of 4 Sept. [/5/170]; has had several nice letters from Herbert; Mortimer is home from Europe and is delighted about the book; she has written about 2,500 words; he can correct her text then they can work on the captions together; asks him to let her know which nights he does not want to see her and she will arrange to see other people; he should probably give his mother two nights a week; she will have her to dine at the Connaught one night; on the African cloths; going west with him depends on the weather; she is frightened of snowstorms (autogr.)
/5/176 Ibid., 27 Sept. 1963 – on her appearance; cannot wait to get to London; has not had time to write to Digby; she will not mention the book; has written an introduction to the book; she is not making cards but is just bringing photos and/or films; on a show sponsored by the State Department (autogr.; water damaged; possibly incomplete)
/177 WBF to MWP, ibid. – refers to her letter; is glad the book is going well; he never said the proposed collaboration was primarily for therapeutic purposes; on the difference between their procedural methods in writing books; has been engaged in the laborious process of sifting through notes and photographs to pick out possible pieces; is indexing some of his own photographs; thinks the introduction should be minimal; nearly all the information should be imparted in the captions; discusses the plans for the books at some length; discusses various pieces which have already been published; on the new manager of Kegan Paul; on a reprint of Kjersmeier’s ‘Centres de Style’; WBF told the manager that if he wanted to do a book on goldweights the person to write it was MWP; hopes she would take it on; there is only room for one book on goldweights so it should be comprehensive; on the various collections of goldweights; has been working at the BM on a Benin snake head; has had prints made of some of his best Italian pictures for her. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/178 MWP to WBF, post-30 Sept. – she is doing this for Ernest Harding and the preservation of Old Christ Church; asks if he met Ted Carter; refers to strikes; all the other hotels have been hit but not the Barclay; spent the weekend with the Todes; on ‘What in the World?’; she is flying to London on 18 Nov.; on Hayakawa; on a letter from Harold Rome regarding an exchange of artefacts; has had her introduction typed; it is 1,100 words (autogr.; some water damage); Ted [Carter] to MWP, 30 Sept. – will be delighted to attend the party for the benefit of Old Christ Church; will bring a cheque; jokes about her running the elevator at the Barclay (tp.)
/179 MWP to WBF, post-1 Oct. – will send him a copy of her introduction; she is having a desk put in her bedroom instead of a dressing-table; he is not to worry about her thinness; is delighted by the idea of the goldweight book; is grateful for all he does for her (autogr.; water damaged; stuck to another letter; partly illegible)
/5/180 Ibid., 16 Oct. 1963 – Herbert sent her the contract for the African sculpture book and said WBF had signed; lecture last Saturday in Wayne and spent two nights at Kathy’s house; on her health; Stevie is bringing the new President of Sinclair Oil to dinner; discusses him; on her travel arrangements; asks what he has done about the Congress next Aug.; she could fly over with Fro Rainey and his wife; would like him [WBF] to stay where she stays; would like very much to go to Leningrad; asks when the Francises will dine with them at the Connaught; on going to Paris; asks if he has seen Altman’s Balega catalogue; is thrilled to be coming over so soon (autogr.; some water damage)
/181 WBF to MWP, ibid. – has left a letter he wrote her in the studies; enclosed a Christmas card and a copy of Colonnade; the letter was a diagnosis of her latest diagnosis; discusses this (autogr.; some water damage)
/182 MWP to WBF, 19 Oct. – the book came and it is magnificent; it should be an instant sell-out; has been invited to a reception and exhibition by Leff; told him she was flying to London 27 Oct.; told him she would send him WBF’s book from Kegan Paul; he did not notice her piece on his salt in Expedition; comments on the letter on verso (autogr.) [on verso:] Roy [Sieber] to MWP, 14 Oct. – he answers letters eventually; is working to get WBF there for several days; on the fee; hopes he and WBF could run a short seminar on African art; the Sieber clan are going to Africa next week for six months; when he gets clearances from the University he will send details to WBF (tp.)
/183 WBF to MWP, ibid. – is sorry not to have written for a couple of weeks; was diverted by RAI business; on the Director enquiring about dates for dinner with her; Frank wants her to dine with them on 28 [Nov.]; WBF is in a difficulty as there is an RAI Dining Club dinner that evening; thanks her for the proposed timetable; asks to bag all the evenings for which she is not already booked up; it is a working trip; time is short; on dates; would love to go to Paris for a weekend; on hotels in Paris; asks her to write to Charles to let him know they are coming; asks her to make it clear that they are looking for unpublished pieces; asks if he can come with her to Ringwood; they might go to see Henry Moore one day; on a photograph which he would like to include; they will have to spend a lot of time in the BM going through collections and photographs (autogr.; some water damage)
/5/184 MWP to WBF, post-20 Oct. 1963 – has written to Charles and reserved at the Pont Royal; on theatre seats for 27 [Nov.]; on dates to have dinner with the Director; on Mr Carpenter; is writing captions for their book; on some pieces which will be included; outlines her timetable (autogr.; slight water damage) [on verso:] G.W. Harley to MWP, 20 Oct. – refers to her letter [not held]; was happy to know that she would get down to Virginia with Allen Davis; shall be happy to have a talk with her; asks if she would like to stay the night (tp.)
/185 WBF to MWP, 3 Nov. – she will be here in 15 days; on her health; is trying to clear the decks for her visit; has not done much more on their book; much of it can best be done with her in the BM; on his other work; has not said any more to Sawers, the manager at Kegan Paul; it would be better to give the impression that she has been intending to do such a book for a long time; suggests she ask him to lunch after he has confirmed interest in the project; likes her draft introduction for the book but it will need discussion in the light of decisions they make when she comes; there is too much quotation from him; on a play for 27 [Nov.]; has not heard from the Director’s secretary about dates; had lunch with Charles Ratton who had heard by telephone of her letter; he will have them to dinner one night; refers to Henry Moore (autogr.; some water damage)
/186 Philip [Dark] to MWP, 5 Nov. – is glad to hear she is feeling better; the paperback on African art sounds exciting; is looking forward to seeing WBF in Feb.; plans to come East before Christmas; asks if she could put him up; on a conference in Ottawa (tp. with autogr. note from MWP to WBF – both Philip and Roy expect to give him $1,000)
/187 Roy Sieber to MWP, 5 Nov. – looks forward avidly to WBF’s book; wrote to the man at Western Reserve; on his address; is off to Atlanta to lecture; wrote to WBF last week about his stay in Feb. (tp. with autogr. notes from MWP to WBF – is going to Harley’s; forgot the name of the Western Reserve man; water damaged)
/188 MWP to WBF, pre-19 Nov. – on crises which have erupted in the past week; is glad she is coming over; three of her friends are in hospital; gives some details; outlines her final programme (autogr.; water damaged; possibly incomplete)
/5/189 Ibid., Thanksgiving Day [28 Nov.] 1963 – this is the letter from Vickers; the Anthropology Department may get in touch with Roy Sieber; is attempting to bring order to the chaos on her desk; mentions Dr Swan, Louise Cochrane and Eliz. Harper; feels so finished (autogr.) [on verso:] Robert Vickers, Ohio Wesleyan University, to MWP, 12 Nov. – refers to her letter and comments on Carol Luce’s paper; on her comment on the Nigerian students; on WBF’s visit to the Anthropology Department; will send her comments on to Carol (tp.)
/190 MWP to WBF, 7 Dec. – she arrived at Philadelphia airport in a wheelchair; on her health; she idolizes him; he is what holds her to life (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/191 WBF to MWP, ibid. – thanks her for coming over; on her illness; in spite of that they got a great deal done; overleaf is a summary list of the pieces shortlisted for the book; will go on exploring the stored collections; they ought to have the photographs as ready as possible by the time he comes over in Feb.; if he has difficulty in making good enough pictures he can get Leon to help; on her health; she should give the hepatitis a chance to clear up; perhaps she will get a clean bill of health in Jan. and be able to come to the Middle West with him; on a review of ‘Nigerian Images’ in ILN; hopes she can notice it in Expedition; gives a list of the pieces shortlisted for the book; mentions Dr S. Eilenberg (autogr.; some water damage)
/192 Ibid., 10 Dec. – hopes she is progressing favourably; sends review of his book in the ILN; suggests they do together the book on African Art in History which he was to do with Margret Carey; outlines the plan for the book; asks what she thinks (autogr.)
/193 MWP to WBF, ibid. – on her illness; for a week she will rest completely; on Ted Carter; one of her greatest fears is that the BM is disintegrating (autogr.; water damaged)
/194 WBF to MWP, 11 Dec. – her letter has saddened him; discusses her doctors and her health; on her subconscious; thinks the best thing is for her to concentrate on some useful activity; asks her to write with any ideas she has about the book (autogr.; some water damage)
/5/195 MWP to WBF, 14 Dec. 1963 – on writing to people for photos; is trying to get well; on WBF’s devotion to African art; she cannot agree with many of his judgments emotionally; on her health; is writing to Fortnum’s to order Cointreau and sherry for his mother for Christmas (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/196 WBF to MWP, 16 Dec. – on her health; on her diagnosis; mentions Adrian Digby; is sure that she has not had a nervous breakdown; on her doctors; the BM is not disintegrating (autogr.; some water damage)
/197 MWP to WBF, 19 Dec. – is back in hospital; describes the circumstances of her admission; David and Bill bring her mail; everything is going as well as possible; on the wine order for his mother (autogr.)
/198 Ibid., 24 Dec. – on his Christmas card; is pleased he will be there on 18 Jan.; on seeing Jay Leff; on choosing what she needs for the UM Gallery; on her collection at the UM; when he is here they will go to Washington to see Porters and the Howard Collection; asks him not to bring 9,000,000 slides; it is important that she does not get over-tired; on people who want a date (autogr.; water damaged)
/199 WBF to MWP, 26 Dec. – is sorry she had to go to hospital again; she is a doctor’s dream; tells her not to worry about the book; the worst that can happen is that publication would be delayed; on Christmas Day with BEBF and his family; thanks her for the voucher for Fortnum’s (autogr.; water damaged)
/200 MWP to WBF, ibid. – on a review in Harper’s; on her health; on the way she feels; refers to President Kennedy’s death; the New Yorker also noticed WBF’s book (autogr.; water damaged)
/201 Ibid., 27 Dec. – on her health; Bill Sharpe said he had sent WBF the Harper’s review; mentions the New York Times review; on bills; has written to people asking for pictures; on her struggle with despair; is proud of his success; he is the one joy of her life; everyone is kind to her but she is unresponsive; mentions the Crownolet (autogr.; water damaged)
/202 Bill Sharpe to MWP, 28 Dec. – on manic depression, from which they both suffer; alludes to ‘Moby Dick’; describes his Christmas; on Gerald and Stephen; on his work (autogr.); MWP to WBF, 31 Dec. – is feeling better; on Bill Sharpe (autogr.; water damaged)
/6 1964 Margaret Plass Papers
/1 MWP to WBF, 2 Jan. 1964 – on her health; mentions Ralph Altman (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/2 Ibid., 5 Jan. – on Margretta[?] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/3 Ibid., 7 Jan. – on the Times Literary Supplement piece; mentions the Civil Rights movement (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/4 New York Herald Tribune, 7 Jan. – ‘“Boycotts Across the Nation”’ (newspaper cutting)
/5 MWP to WBF, 9 Jan. – mentions Eliot (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/6 WBF to MWP, 13 Jan. – on the Times Literary Supplement review; on his impending visit; discusses travel plans, including visits to Carbondale and Bloomington; discusses her ‘cracking up’; her condition is a matter for pride, not shame (autogr.)
/7 MWP to WBF, 14 Jan. – on damage to her flat from a leak upstairs; on her health; on his visit[?] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/8 Ibid., 15 Jan. – on writing to Father Rooney; on a letter from Harold Rome; on Biebuyck (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/9 Ibid., 16 Jan. – discusses coffee; on travel arrangements (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/6/10 Ibid., 17 Jan. 1964 – is preparing for his arrival; on the room he will stay in; Peter Cochrane wrote a good letter about the book; there are no reviews here; mentions Cy Nelson; on TV shows; asks him to have Gowers make her a base for the little king; on some artefacts she has sold and bought; on clearing the BM galleries for the Christy show; asks about a lost wax catalogue; Klejman has her 40,000 Years catalogue; mentions the Sangorski & Sutcliffe Griaule ‘Masques Dogons’; mentions Ralph Coe; discusses Jimmy Porter; on Dr Harley; discusses plans with Allen; the Art Alliance may have WBF for a $100 lecture; on an interview in the Arizona Republican; hopes he will arrive on 7 Feb.; on the clothes he should bring. 5 pages (autogr.); [on verso:] Mortimer Newlin to MWP, nd – thanks her for the watercolour and engagement book; she should sell some of her paintings (autogr. with notes from MWP to WBF – Mortimer is in a generous mood; thinks WBF should marry her; on the weather; on prices for her watercolours (autogr.) [includes envelope with note:] – mentions Underwood’s book; has discovered she is allergic to tea (autogr.)
/11 Rev. William J. Rooney, Catholic Commission on Intellectual and Cultural Affairs, to MWP, 17 Jan. – on meeting with her and WBF in Feb.; encloses a brochure describing the Commission (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP on Father Rooney)
/12 WBF to ibid., ibid. – refers to a letter he wrote today [not held]; on his dates for travel; on the necessity of attending the RAI Council meeting on 6 Feb.; on his itinerary; mentions Allen Davis; on a letter from Roy; on flight details; tells her not to despair about Africa (autogr.)
/13 Ibid., 21 Jan. – has booked his passage for 7 Feb.; thinks it would be a good thing to visit Washington; on finding paid lecture engagements; on the question of whether she will accompany him everywhere; on shirts; on the Amaury Talbot Prize (autogr. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/14 MWP to WBF, 23 Jan. – on trying to get him a paid lecture in Washington; on Father Rooney; on her health; refers to their book; on reviews of his ‘Nigerian Images’; refers to the award; on redecoration after the ceiling collapsed; she has been given a new flat; describes the new flat; on ‘What in the World?’; on Warren Robbins; does not think she should risk the mid-West; is broke (autogr.)
/15 Ibid., 25 Jan. – on a new job; on her new flat; discusses his shirts (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/6/16 Ibid., 29 Jan. 1964 – on Paul Desjardins; on her health; Mortimer does not want her to take the new flat; discusses accommodation; is so glad he is coming (autogr.; water damaged)
/17 Ibid., 30 Jan. – on her health; on giving talks for Allen; mentions Mennen Williams (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/18 WBF to MWP, 31 Jan. – on her health; on Eilenberg; discusses pieces from his collection; on her helping to buy one of the items; has bought 18 shirts (autogr.; some water damage)
/19 MWP to WBF, 1 Feb. – is going to New York; outlines her programme; on her weight; asks him to bring her a cheque book; on Mortimer; on ‘Nigerian Images’; on the show; on her accommodation; asks about his health; on her slides (autogr.)
/20 WBF to MWP, ibid. – on her health; on whether she will meet him at the airport or not; on his previous letter [/6/18]; on clothes he has bought for the trip; on her accommodation; on money; on pictures for the book; is not sanguine about completing the book by the end of Mar. (autogr.)
/21 MWP to WBF, 2 Feb. – on having lunch with Harold Rome; on Eliot; on a discussion of WBF’s book; on other people she visited; on New York photographers; on Vincent (autogr.)
/22 WBF to MWP, 4 Feb. – on a sprained foot; has received a commission to organise an exhibition of African art in Berlin in Aug. as part of the Berlin Festival (autogr.)
/23 EJL to ibid., 17 Feb. – is delighted that she and WBF are collaborating on a book; on Altaic studies at Bloomington; is sending a blurb on her work by surface post (tp. with autogr. PS and autogr. note by MWP) [on verso:] MWP to WBF, nd – Philip let her know WBF had arrived safely; on Gabon; mentions D’Arcy Thompson (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/24 MWP to WBF, ibid. – Bill Davenport has asked them to dinner; asks about cheques; on Roy Sieber; asks him to drop her an occasional line (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/6/25 Ibid., 19 Feb. 1964 – on sending a box to the BM; on writing to Adrian; on her paying the duty; on putting up Philip; Bob Lystad rang about WBF giving a talk to his students (autogr.; water damaged); [on verso:] E. Roseman Co. to MWP, 18 Feb. – invoice for shipping a box to the BM (printed and tp.)
/26 MWP to WBF, 19 Feb.[?] – on Father Rooney (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/27 Rev. William J. Rooney to MWP, 26 Feb. – on arrangements to see her and WBF on 3 Mar. (tp.)
/28 Philip [Dark] to WBF, ibid. – on his travel plans; has missed 2 trays in the UM of small pieces; shall be back next week; on two cow sacrifice plaques; MWP has spoiled him; suggests what the State Dept. should do if it wishes to explore négritude; it was a pleasure to have him at Carbondale (autogr.)
/29 Allen [Davis] to MWP, pre-27 Feb. – encloses some clippings from the Washington Post [not held]; has reserved rooms for her at the Howard Johnson motel; on the programme for WBF’s appearances; refers to ICA and State Dept. lectures; M[arie] T[hérèse] sends love. 2 leaves (autogr.)
/30 Ibid., nd – attaches two copies of the flyer he did for WBF’s appearance at the State Dept.; 8,000 of these are being distributed; the Bureau of African Affairs has asked for biographical data on WBF; on the person who will give a speech; asks about WBF’s slides (autogr.)
/31 MWP to WBF, pre-6 Mar. – is feeling well again; Mabel Zahn wants them to bring the Chaucer to her on the morning of 6 Mar.; on other social engagements; on Father Abbot; South Illinois will send him a cheque; on Ernest Harding and Philip; on medical treatment; on Stevie, who broke his shoulder; mentions Roy; she has written a piece for Expedition on the Liberian fetish; on the lectures he is going to give (autogr.; some water damage)
/32 7 Mar. – advertisement for ‘Emerging Africa in the Light of its Past’ (printed with autogr notes by MWP)
/33 Washington Daily News, 13 Mar. – ‘Soapy Squared Things With African Diplomats’ (newspaper cutting)
/6/34 MWP to WBF, post-14 Mar. 1964 – on giving a lecture called ‘Collecting for Fun’; on Gwen Plass Rorer; asks about the weather; mentions Father Rooney; on her health; mentions Allen Davis; on the letter from Warren [on verso] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage); [on verso:] Warren Robbins, Center for Cross-Cultural Communication, to MWP, 14 Mar. – refers to her letter [not held]; on a photo of WBF; encloses two publications from the Bancroft School in Worcester which his niece attends; he would like his niece to go to Bryn Mawr; on Janheinz Jahn’s lecture, which was complimentary to WBF (tp.)
/35 MWP to WBF, 16 Mar. – she posted the manuscript of the goldweight book; on the captions; asks him to send a photo; on taking photos of other pieces in the Plass collection; on going to Maison Blanche; on Hazan; on his room (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/36 WBF to MWP, 21 Mar. – this is the most important of his thank-you letters; he owes all his American life to her; was wonderful to find her so well; on his mother selling the Chaucer; on his expenses and income on the trip; he wants her to accept half the proceeds of their book; on Mortimer’s attitude to the bronze; he hopes the photographs are on their way (autogr.)
/37 Ibid., 23 Mar. – he wrote to thank her for a wonderful time; on her health; on his own health; on his journey home; on his weight; is anxious about the photographs from the UM; on his suggestions for the Berlin show; hopes she will break down Mortimer on visiting London and on the Eilenberg plaque (autogr.)
/38 MWP to WBF, 24 Mar. – is at the Todes; on her health; describes the view and the birds; has sent $200 to Eilenberg; will try to get him down to $2,500; on the food and drink here (autogr.)
/39 Ibid., Holy Thursday [26 Mar.] – on her health; will get David to airmail him the pictures when she gets back on Easter Monday; is going to send Eilenberg a cheque to bind the bargain; thinks they had a lovely time during his trip; if David Herbert wrote an urgent-sounding letter she might come over in May or June; thinks it would do her good to make the trip by sea; on her plans; asks about taking a flat in Dolphin Square in May (autogr;. some illegible due to water damage)
/6/39 WBF to MWP, Easter Monday [30 Mar.] 1964 – has been working hard on photography for the book; on photographs from other people; refers to the deadline of 31 Mar.; discusses the photographs they need; hopes to get on well with the text this evening; hopes she had a good time at the Todes; is glad she has given Eilenberg a deposit; hopes she will manage to come over in May or thereabouts (autogr.)
/41 MWP to WBF, Easter Tuesday [31 Mar.] – on her health; refers to Father Rooney’s letter [on verso]; asked him to invite Biebuyck; on an English girl she met at Todes; she is something in UNICEF; describes her in detail; asks about Roy; on ‘What in the World?’. 2 leaves (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage); [on verso:] [Rev. William J. Rooney] to MWP, 20 Mar. – invites her to attend a conference on the subject ‘The Spiritual Personality of Emergent Africa’; on the purpose of the meeting; circulated an outline of questions to a selected group of persons; the material gathered in response will be discussed at the meeting (tp.; leaf missing); Warren M. Robbins to MWP, 21 Mar. – the letter is to WBF as well; talks at Ford hold excellent promise for support; the Klejmans have given the Museum its first major gift, a figure from Togo; perhaps WBF could tell him more about it; brought back from New York some 15 pieces of loan from various people (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/42 Ibid., 4 Apr. – on her answer to the letter on verso; on her health; on Arnold; on people she has written to; on David Shelton; she renewed the New Yorker for him [WBF]; her last lecture date is 6 May; has sent his money to Barclays. 2 leaves (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage); [on verso:] J.W. Bethea, United World Federalists, to MWP, 2 Apr. – would like her to represent them at the 68th annual meeting of the American Academy of Political & Social Science; the topic is ‘Africa in Motion’ (tp.);[on verso:] Rev. William J. Rooney to MWP, 1 Apr. – on his conference; refers to WBF; has invited Dr Daniel Biebuyck (tp.)
/43 MWP to WBF, 6 Apr. – Cooney has left; someone[?] is giving a paper at the American Academy of Social and Political Science conference; on Willie Wixom; on Arnold; on Ralph Altman; is going to Washington to see Stevie and David Shelton (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/6/44 Katherine Merkel to MWP, 8 Apr. 1964 – on the ivory mask WBF wanted for their book; she arranged for it to be photographed; hopes they will meet one day (tp.); [on verso:] MWP to WBF, nd – asks for Katherine Merkel’s address so she can write to thank her; on Colin Turnbull’s paper at the American Council of Social Sciences; on Mennen Williams; on other people she met; Cooney has left Brooklyn; Gordon Gibson was grateful for WBF’s help (autogr.)
/45 WBF to MWP, 9 Apr. – reports on a letter from Ralph Altman; has received a photograph of the Udo figure; has had nothing from David or the UM; needs to know if there is going to be a long delay on these photographs; has heard nothing from Dan Biebuyck; on other pieces which will or will not be in the book; has not made much progress with the writing; was in Edinburgh arranging an exhibition for the Nigerian High Commission; mentions Miss Zahn (autogr.; some water damage)
/46 MWP to WBF, 10 Apr. – on Arnold Newman; on his wife Gus; mentions Kennedy’s assassination; is taking the girl from UNICEF with her to this meeting [referring to letter on verso]; the book of readings is only notable for WBF’s paper (autogr.; water damaged); [on verso:] Rev. William J. Rooney to MWP, 8 Apr. – on his conference; will be delighted if she brings Miss Molly Birks; on the book of readings which he is using as preparation for the meeting (tp.)
/47 The Evening Bulletin, 10 Apr. – ‘New Africa Wants Help Without Strings, Envoy Says’ (newspaper cutting)
/48 MWP to WBF, post-11 Apr. – on travelling in planes; said she would do her best to pay [Eilenberg] by 30 June; on the price of the item; on her will; on what WBF will inherit; is very tired; describes what she has been doing; on sending the photos; mentions the Chaucer; on her health. 2 leaves (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage); [on verso:] Prof. S. Eilenberg, Columbia University, to MWP, 11 Apr. – refers to her letter of 30 Mar. [not held] and cheque for $200; asks her to write a letter stating certain points, including the payment of the full amount of $3,000 by 30 June. 2 leaves (autogr.)
/6/49 WBF to MWP, 14 Apr. 1964 – sends the first instalment of the text; Herbert promised the printers that they would have the whole text this week; hopes he will finish it before he goes to Edinburgh; asks her to trace a quotation from Cézanne; on the book ‘African Village’; mentions Bill Rooney; had some photographs from Kat Merkel; asks about Arnold and Chaim; has received photos from Soapy’s office; the better one would be excellent for Warren’s purposes. 2 leaves (autogr.)
/50 Ibid., 16 Apr. – sends some more text; on a nasty snag; a book by an American author or co-author printed abroad cannot be imported into USA except on prohibitive economic terms; he is reluctant to agree to any diminution of her equal statue; Herbert says that if her name cannot be on the title page, lavish tribute can be paid to her active collaboration; asks if there is anything she can do; he does not want to give up joint authorship without a struggle; will ask Leon soon about the figure which Warren has been given (autogr.)
/51 MWP to WBF, post-16 Apr. – is working on the Cézanne dictum; is glad Kat came across; Arnold is in terrible shape; he has promised to post the photographs on 21 Apr.; the UM has sent duplicate prints airmail; asks him to let her know that this shipment comes; on Soapy’s pictures; Joan Elisofon is doing Warren’s first show; on some artefacts; on Father Rooney’s conference; asks if the Fagg girls would like a box of clothes. 2 leaves, including a note on the envelope (autogr.; some water damage); [on verso:] Phoebe Patterson, Society Hill Area Residents Association, to MWP, 16 Apr. – on MWP’s work if planting and maintaining the grounds of the Hill-Physic-Keith House (tp.)
/52 Ibid., 17 Apr. – on getting up early to work; on her diet; on the temperature; on Newman; on Biebuyck; mentions Dr John Gibbon, a brother-in-law of Mortimer (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/6/53 WBF to MWP, 18 Apr. 1964 – is only up to page 64; Herbert has to decide on Tuesday about postponing publication until spring; on Biebuyck’s failure to send the promised information; on the photos from the UM; asks her to do certain things if she goes to New York; hopes some solution can be found for the joint authorship problem; will insist on a preface which makes clear that it is a joint book; it will be wonderful if she comes over in May; on his own travel plans in May; on Dolphin Square; hopes she will have a good time at Father Rooney’s conference; does not want her to read his opinions on African politics in a loud voice (autogr.)
/54 MWP to WBF, 19 Apr. – gives him the Cézanne quotation, about seeing in nature the cylinder, the sphere and the cone; makes a change to WBF’s text[?] on the refrigerator; on the Har Zion art show, which opened last night; on her health; on the temperature; is going to the PMA tomorrow to look at the Lipschitz retrospective; asks if she may send a box of clothes for BEBF’s girls (autogr.)
.1 WBF, nd – note of the Cézanne quotation (autogr., on the back of an envelope postmarked 23 Sept. 1963)
/55 MWP to WBF, 20 Apr. – has dictated his letter [/6/50] about the book snag to Allen Davis’ secretary; on various reactions to the situation; mentions the Congo and Ruanda; on working with Father Rooney; if there is such a rule then she will not be able to do the book for Kegan Paul; has a lot of experts working on the case; mentions becoming a British subject; has written again to Biebuyck; has sent the North Syrian figure to him; on the Lipschitz show; gives a quotation from Lipschitz. 3 pages (autogr.; water damaged) [on verso:] Prof. S. Eilenberg to MWP, 18 Apr. – refers to her letter of 14 Apr. [not held]; is depositing her cheque; asks her not to put herself under pressure (autogr.)
/56 MWP to WBF, 20 Apr. – on David’s trip to Iraq; hopes WBF can join her in Lisbon in May; on not going on to Switzerland; on financial matters; if she continues to get stronger she can make up for her weaknesses last time he was there; on her health (autogr.; water damaged)
/57 Ibid., ibid. [as per postmark] – is posting the photo of the N. Syrian figure separately; is sending him a note from Brooklyn to her; thinks the piece looks like Dahomey (autogr. note)
/6/58 WBF to MWP, 21 Apr. 1964 – on his work on the book; mentions Father Rooney’s conference; discusses the problem of Christianity in Africa; discusses the concepts of force and grace; mentions Father Tempels’ work (autogr.; some water damage)
/59 MWP to WBF, 21 Apr. – discusses the possibility of Nicholas Zervas printing the book; David Shelton says WBF can write a dedication as he suggested; he says the law is reciprocal; mentions Lisbon (autogr.)
/60 Ibid., 22 Apr. – is about to go to Bryn Mawr with George Allen; refers to WBF’s letter of 18 Apr. [/6/53]; mentions Arnold and Biebuyck; makes some suggestions about travel plans; in London she can talk to Kegan Paul about the goldweight book (autogr.; water damaged)
/61 Daniel B[iebuyck], University of Delaware, to MWP, ibid. – is sending her some notes on the pieces she plans to reproduce in her forthcoming book; is sending copies of the notes to WBF; explains the reasons for the delay; can give further information she may want to have; wishes her a happy trip to Europe (autogr.); [on verso:] MWP to WBF, nd – on Daniel; the piece on force and grace is superb; on her health; on a new friend, Ed Lynch; on travel arrangements; she has resigned from the Cos Club; mentions Father Rooney; mentions Jimmy Flynn and John Kelly; hopes she will be in good health when they meet (autogr.; slightly water damaged)
/62 MWP to WBF, 24 Apr. – is in New York; has read his paper three or four times; it is a very fine paper; on ‘What in the World?’; on pieces which she recognised; she asked Carl Coon about the publishing problem; discusses the situation (autogr.)
/63 WBF to MWP, 25 Apr. – on an error on the first page of the paper which he wrote for Father Rooney; on a trip to Edinburgh; on receiving letters from her; describes the itinerary he has agreed with Mme d’Arschot; on her travel plans; discusses the problem of their co-authorship; perhaps Allen’s contacts will come up with something; on David Shelton; protectionism is contrary to public policy; refers to his own book with Elisofon; must try to finish off the book; will try to write to Brooklyn; is sure BEBF’s girls would be glad of the clothes; on the piece which Warren has acquired (autogr.; some water damage)
/6/64 MWP to WBF, 25 Apr. 1964 – on the symposium; Rooney presided magnificently; on some new friends she made; discusses other details relating to the symposium; wishes Herbert would let Duttons publish the American-Canadian edition (autogr.)
/65 Ibid., 26 Apr. [as per postmark] – discusses the publication of their book; discusses various aspects relating to publication in general; mentions Warren and Soapy; asks him to let her know when the UM photos arrive; perhaps she can help him with the Berlin show; on social engagements. 6 pages (autogr.)
/66 WBF to MWP, 27 Apr. – tells her his progress with the book; Herbert and the printer are ‘despairing’; Duttons have come up with a formula which they think will work; describes this; Biebuyck’s information is most valuable; discusses the photographs from the UM which have arrived (autogr.; some water damage)
/67 Ibid., 28/29 Apr. – refers to Kathy coming for dinner; typed a letter to him; has a terrible headache; mentions Geraldine [Bruckner] and Caroline; the cylinder will be rephotographed tomorrow; describes the mail problem; she is working very hard; Geraldine gave her four TV dates in June and July; on a new photographer who is hard to handle; is pleased that she probably will not be going to Brussels; on the book, which is wonderful (autogr.; some water damage)
/68 Ibid., 29 Apr. – on a trip; does not want to go to Paris; mentions the assassination of Kennedy; it is important to her to have her name on the title page; discusses the Yellow book; on publicity; on appearing on television; more on the trip; on Allen and Marie-Thérèse’s wedding; is going to David Shelton’s for the weekend; on his health; discusses travel arrangements; must now type all the ‘crap’ about the book; gives details about ‘The Sculpture of Africa’ and ‘Nigerian Images’; the American edition of their little book must be very big; on reviews; mentions the State Department; on copyrights and tariffs; praises WBF as a scholar but is critical of his performance on television; on her own television performances; asks him to confirm that he will meet her in Brussels on 12 [May?]; Mabel probably will not be able to come; she had a stroke. 5 pages (tp. with autogr. additions and a note on the envelope)
/6/69 MWP to [WBF?], post-29 Apr. 1964 – tells him what she has been doing; mentions David Shelton (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage) [on verso:] Arnold Newman to MWP, 29 Apr. – on his health; returns WBF’s letter; on photographs; on a trip to Europe (tp.)
70 WBF to MWP, 4 May – refers to her typed letter [/6/68]; she used to become dictatorial when sitting at a typewriter; on details of the trip; has finished the main text of the book; discusses details of publication (autogr.; some water damage)
/71 MWP to WBF, 6 May – arrives Paris on Tuesday morning (telegram) [on verso:] WBF to MWP, on travel arrangements (text of a telegram; autogr.)
/72 WBF to MWP, 6 May – encloses the completion of the book for her perusal; the proofs may arrive by Whitsun; on providing measurements for the pieces in the book; the photographs arrived yesterday; on his trip; it would be lovely if she came to Zürich; hopes she has fixed up with Dolphin Square (autogr.; some water daumage)
/73 MWP to WBF, 7 May – calls him an impractical dreamy genius; on travel arrangements; he need not meet her at the airport in Paris but she needs the name of a cheap hotel; mentions Margretta [Jamieson]; on a lecture to Brandeis University Women’s Committee; mentions Lipschitz; Nelson was pleased with everything about the book (autogr.)
/74 Western Union Telegram to MWP, post-10 May – her telegram to WBF on 10 May was undeliverable (telegram)
/75 MWP to WBF, 15 May – on a talk[?] at Brandeis University entitled ‘Tribal Art and Modern Art’; on travel arrangements; her plan is for him to meet her in Lisbon, then fly to Zürich (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/76 Elvis J, Stahr, President, Indiana University, to WBF, 18 May – on his presenting artefacts to the Department of Fine Arts;expresses thanks (tp.); MWP to WBF, – she arrived home safely; mentions Mabel; mentions Piranesi watercolours; feels fine (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/6/77 MWP to WBF, [27] May 1964 – on a trip to New York the previous day; she is very tired; on a party at Arnold’s; Arnold[?] wants to know if he can have some of the Yoruba pieces he chose; on his wife Gus; on a cache of African bronzes in Alaska; Carlebach has asked her to lectur at his new gallery; on genuine artefacts and copies thereof (autogr.)
/78 Ibid., 15 June – on her health; mentions Cy Nelson; describes her new accommodation[?]; discusses Mabel (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/79 Ibid., 17 June – is in Washington; discusses various matters (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/80 WBF to MWP, 19 June – on an evening with Margetta, Bill Bertolet and a Filipina dancer; on her new apartment; it is unusual for her not to send a bulletin; it was wonderful to have her over here; he and his mother are grateful to her for what she is doing about the books and pictures; encloses a letter from Ruby [not held]; on trips he is planning; looks forward to using her guest room (autogr.; some water damage)
/81 MWP to WBF, 20 June – mentions the goldweight book; mentions Gordon Gibson; mentions Dillon and Fro; Mabel wrote thanking her for bringing pictures and books; she will give WBF’s mother $650; on the Piranesi watercolours; on the weather (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/82 WBF to MWP, 21 June – on an American publisher correcting his work; on her suggestion for amending a sentence; needs to know how Nelson came to be vetting the text at all; on Gordon Gibson; on money she owes him (autogr.)
/83 ‘The Pulse of Culture’, Newsweek, ibid. – article on a show of Iranian art (printed magazine page with autogr. note by MWP on the cost of the show)
/84 MWP to WBF, ibid. – on her royalty cheque; has read the introduction to people who all dislike the page which Cy Nelson blue-pencilled; on other phrases ; Hverford’ President takes a dim view of Desjardins; has had 3 days at Pocomo Lake Reserve; she is feeling well and content; if she should die soon he should remember that she is happy; she adores him; she knows she is doing a good job; refers to ‘African Sculpture’ and her goldweight book; she is more useful to him than he guesses (autogr.)
/6/85 Ibid., post-24 June 1964 – is answering his letter of 21 June [/6/82]; discusses contentious phrases; Nelson was working from her typescript; on Gordon Gibson; on the money which she owes him; believes Mabel will send his mother $650; she was doing his mother a great favour; on her time in Washington; the goldweight book is going well; she sent [Cy Nelson] the bit dealing with the introduction (autogr.); [on verso:] Cy Nelson to MWP, 24 June – refers to her letter of 23 June [not held] and the letter from WBF [not held]; regrets that his humble suggestions have provoked such histrionics; doubts that any further comment he might make would be of value; on Mr Bernard; on the matter of a film (tp.)
/86 WBF to MWP, 26 June – encloses letter from Ruby [not held]; she was grateful for the Yellow Book; thanks her for information from Mabel; the criticism by Nelson and others of page 4 is ‘stuff and nonsense’; explains why this is so[?]; mentions proofs; she will be sent a set; asks for any comments as soon as she receives them; is going to Paris for a night (autogr. with some near-illegible notes by MWP)
/87 MWP to WBF, 28 June – on going to lunch with Francis; mentions Francis’ opinion of the English; she adores him [WBF]; she quit writing shortly after she met him as she sensed his disapproval of her journalistic style; now she is old it is good for her to write and work; wishes he would not discuss money; on the Eilenberg plaque; suggests he write to Gordon [Gibson]; is putting a young Swedish girl in touch with him; refers to Gordon’s first letter; on the Fair with David (autogr. with note on envelope); [on verso:] [Gordon Gibson?], Smithsonian Institution, to MWP, 22 June – was pleased to see her; on her goldweight book; on her suggestion that she might help; mentions his boss, Dr Reisenberg (tp.; incomplete)
/88 MWP to WBF, 2 July – on the views from her apartment; on the weather; discusses a visit from ‘old man Longstreth’; on her finances; hopes Mabel will realise a few thousands for his mother; discusses books and pictures (autogr.; some water damage)
/89 3 July – ‘The Glorious Fourth’ (newspaper cutting)
/90 The Sunday Bulletin, 5 July – ‘Diggers in Iraq Find Ancient Walled City’ (newspaper cutting)
/6/91 WBF to MWP, 5 July – she has written two of the craziest letters he ever had from her; she owes it to him and to Nelson to pass on an apology to him; is sure Nelson was critical in response to an invitation from her; on Nelson’s specific suggestions; on the proofs (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/92 MWP to WBF, 6 July – refers to Gordon’s letter [on verso]; Gordon is delighted that she will work with him; discusses David; on her health; mentions her goldweight book; she lives by his letters (autogr.; some water damage); [on verso:] Gordon [Gibson] to MWP, 3 July – on arranging a lunch meeting; gives her Marianne’s address (tp.)
/93 Ibid., 7 July – gives him a message for his mother about books arriving; Mabel says she will send a cheque; Mabel is feeling better; Duttons plan to publish on 28 Oct.; will send him Cy’s last letter; David does not care much for him; is making a list of 300 names to receive the book with a Christmas card; it will cost a little over $100 (autogr.)
/94 Ibid., ibid. – on Cy; he thinks the book is great, all but the first three pages of introduction; sends the first page, blue-pencilled by Cy; tells him not to make mountains out of molehills; refers to calling him ‘condescending and superior’ in a previous letter; she does consider him very superior to her; would never correct his writing; does not like the phrase ‘begging indulgence’; it hurts her that WBF is misunderstanding; more on Cy; Mortimer is furious because she criticized his son; on money; asks him not to be angry (autogr.)
.1 Page one of ‘Introduction’ with Cy’s corrections (tp. with autogr. notes)
/95 MWP to WBF, 7 July – refers to Cy’s letter [on verso]; asks about Bill and the £41; mentions a profile of William Francis. 2 leaves (autogr.); [on verso:] Cy [Nelson] to MWP, 2 July – thanks her for the gift of a tie; it was a pleasure to meet David; on the promotion of ‘African Sculpture’; on bookstores on Chestnut Street; encloses a letter from WBF [not held]; admires those who go through life with such conviction; discusses her appearances on TV; is scheduled to publish the book on 28 Oct. (tp. with autogr. note on envelope)
/6/96 WBF to MWP, 7 July 1964 – asks her to let Cy Nelson know that he [WBF] is the calm one in the partnership, and she is the temperamental one; Herbert never altered a word that WBF wrote; Nelson would not have raised his points spontaneously; has just finished a brief visit to Tervuren; they were generous in lending for Berlin; describes his trip; next weekend he is going back to Brussels; describes what he will do there; he is just flying over Dolphin Square (autogr.; some water damage)
/97 The Reporter, 16 July – ‘A Recollction of Michael Schwerner’ (magazine page with autogr. note by MWP – she has ordered him a year’s subscription)
/98 MWP to WBF, 21 July – asks him to comment on the enclosed; is frightened by the tragedy of leaderless Harlem; asks him to comment on Goldwater; on her physical response to the troubles of the world; on her job at the Smithsonian; mentions Biebuyck (autogr. note)
.1 ‘The Routine’ (newspaper cutting with autogr. note by MWP) [enclosed with /6/98]
.2 21 July – ‘The Problem of Harlem’ (newspaper cutting) [enclosed with /6/98}
.3 The Sunday Herald Tribune, 19 July – ‘After the Deluge, What?’ (newspaper cutting) [enclosed with /6/98]
.4 Ibid., ibid. – ‘Jackie Robinson: Hitlerism is Reborn’ (newspaper cutting) [enclosed with /6/98]
/99 26 July – ‘New York – How It Was And May Be’. 2 leaves (newspaper cutting with autogr. note by MWP)
/100 MWP to WBF, 27 July – mentions a postal strike; on a trip to Delaware with David and Bill; on an attack of illness on the way home; is writing to David Herbert about the proofs; the book is simply magnificent; on mistakes she found; suggest some small changes (autogr.; some water damage)
/101 Ibid., ibid. – describes being up early; on the Smithsonian job; is taking Biebuyck down to go over the Lega material; discusses some artefacts; is flying to London on 22 Dec. (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/6/102 WBF to MWP, 30 July 1964 – she will not have had a letter from him this month; it is partly work on the Berlin catalogue and partly the postal strike; is leaving for Paris this afternoon, and then on to Moscow; on his itinerary in Russia; on cheques; discusses the question of the £41 she owed him; on Mabel selling things for him as his father would have done; discusses pictures (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage) [on verso:] R.H. Miller, ICA, to WBF, 17 July – encloses a cheque for a lecture WBF gave last Mar. (tp. with autogr. note by WBF)
/103 MWP to WBF, 4 Aug. – is glad the strike is over; on Mabel and the pictures and books; alludes to her health; mentions the Smithsonian job; on the death of her step-sister-in-law; on Dick-Read’s book ‘Sanamu’; discusses a Makonde mask which was a frontispiece in Man; mentions a Baule figure; asks that they never talk about money again (autogr.; some water damage)
/104 WBF to MWP, 10 Aug. – the Congress has just finished; he is leaving soon for Leningrad; on sight-seeing in Moscow; would love to return there with her; on Olderogge; on going on excursions with Brigitte Menzel; Riesenberg asked him if he knew MWP; he gave a good report of her; discusses the Smithsonian job; on the paper he gave on Afro-Portuguese ivoris; Leningrad is a handsomer town than Moscow (autogr.; some water damage)
/105 MWP to WBF, 12 Aug. – on her letters[?]; mentions Goldwater (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/106 Ibid., 17 Aug. – refers to his letter from Leningrad [not held]; on cuttings she was saving for him[?]; refers to his Russian trip; on her birthday. 5 pages (mostly illegible due to water damage); [on verso:] Colin [Turnbull], American Museum of Natural History, to MWP, 12 Aug. – refers to her letter [not held]; on her working at the Smithsonian; on ivories; on an exchange with the Smithsonian; they must get together (tp.)
/6/107 WBF to MWP, 22 Aug. 1964 – is on his way to Berlin to sew up the catalogue in time for the opening on 12 Sept.; shall attend the opening of the African exhibition; is returning to Berlin in a week; is lending an Asalampasu mask; on a mask he bought; on visiting the collection of a Belgian; Adrian seems willing to lend the Benin plaques; they cannot be lent for a travelling exhibition; this ruling nearly wrecked the loan to the Berlin-Paris show; on the Smithsonian bringing over someone from the BM for the mounting and dismounting of each of four shows; suggests she write to Frank; on confining the show at Philadelphia to things of the middle period; she should check with him which pieces are to be included of the baroque period; refers to letters of hers which he found on his return from Moscow (autogr.; incomplete?)
/108 Ibid., 25 Aug. – on the Smithsonian job; their catalogue is deplorable; on the goldweight book; she ought to include an account of the work of Henri Abel; on taking photographs for the book; mentions a shawl; discusses the Baule figure for Allen Davis; asks her to return the classification of the goldweights [in the BM?]; suggests she come to Berlin; he has been invite to the independence celebrations of Northern Rhodesia in Oct.; Mabel has sent prices for the books, but not the pictures; on Ruby d’Arschot; Ralph Altman has invited him to LA to lecture in Nov. 1965; mentions politics briefly; on the ethnographical collections at Leningrad; on their present exhibition (autogr.; some water damage)
/109 MWP to WBF, post-26 Aug. – refers to his letter from the plane; on her dependence on him; would love to see the Berlin show but is going to Cape May 4-7 Sept.; asks him to send the catalogue of the ‘confrontation’ show; would like the Asalampusu mask; on money she owes him; sends a photograph of a Gio mask [not held]; describes it, including a sketch; mentions the Baule figure for Allen; on tax deductions and finances in general; discusses the Benin Baroque show; discusses Anna-Maria Pope; on Dick-Read’s book; responds to WBF’s discussion of the Leningrad pieces; on her health; on Mabel selling six of the pictures; refers to Gordon’s note [on verso]; mentions Biebuyck and his visit; will return the goldweights chart [see MS 499/16/18] and pictures; describes items of which she wants pictures; is thrilled about Altman; is trying to make a new Plass Collection; mentions Mortimer; on Leon Siroto. 6 pages (autogr.; some water damage) [on verso:] Gordon [Gibson] to MWP, 26 Aug. – on ‘The Art of Africa’ by Elsy Leuzinger; on Daniel Biebuyck; on Leon Siroto (tp.)
/6/110 WBF to MWP, 27 Aug. 1964 – discusses the date of publication of the English and American edition of the book [‘African Sculpture’]; discusses Dick-Read’s book ‘Sanamu’; on BEBF (autogr.)
/111 MWP to WBF, ibid. – mentions Sowers getting restive (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/112 Ibid., ibid. – asks him to let her know what he has heard from Mabel (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/113 Ibid., 2 Sept. – had lunch with Stevie and Monroe Warren; Allen is coming to pick up his Baule figure; on getting a new Polaroid for Christmas from Stevie; mentions Father Rooney; mentions Elisabeth Wallace; on Saul Riesenberg; on giving a lecture at Brandeis University in Mar.; Biebuyck hopes WBF will accept Altman’s invitation; Biebuyck heads the new African Studies Section; maybe WBF could suggest a two week seminar; she will do a Western tour in late Oct. or Nov. 1965; on her plans to be in London (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/114 The New York [Times], ibid. – ‘African Statue Worth $50,000 Reported Missing From Gallery’ (newspaper cutting with autogr. notes by MWP)
/115 WBF to MWP, 3 Sept. – refers to her letters; on sending her birthday greetings; on Goldwater; thanks her for Mabel’s letter of 19 June [not held]; the prices seem higher than expected; there are two prints which his mother would like MWP to have as a gift (autogr.; incomplete?)
/116 U.S. News & World Report, 7 Sept. – ‘Worldgram from the Capitals of the World’ (magazine cutting with autogr. notes by MWP)
/6/117 MWP to WBF, 10 Sept. 1964– this letter will greet him in London; she has an anti-German phobia; on the two coloured lithos; they are not her style; on her visit to Cape May; the goldweight book cannot be finished until he sends her the chart and the pictures; his card from Moscow did not mention her birthday; suggests including the Carlebach crossbearer in the Baroque show; on other pieces for the show; on making a dress out of some cloth she bought in London; had two young girls to stay; mentions other artefacts, including a drawing; thanks him for the offer of the two lithos; on framing; on money she owes him (autogr.) [on verso:] W.N. Fenton, University of the State of New York, to MWP, 28 Aug. – it was a pleasure to bring the Baule figure on her behalf; remembers the Philadelphia Congress very well; remembers being in her London house in 1952; mentions Fro Rainey and Ted Kidder; has frequently admired the African Hall at the UM (tp.)
/118 MWP to WBF, 12 Sept. – lists a number of people to whom she is writing; has to write to him first; on her health; the Barclay is repainting her maids’ bedroom; she is going to make it a second room for guests; is keeping everything immaculate; cannot bear to think of him coming in with filthy bags; describes the maids’ bedroom; describes the guest bedroom; hopes he will come over with the Benin Baroque show; mentions Margretta; on her visits to London and Paris; Mabel thinks she has sold several excellent items for his mother; discusses Mabel; mentions Gwen Plass Rorer who is in hospital; asks him to take the goldweight pictures as soon as possible (autogr.)
/119 WBF to MWP, nd – shall be at the Hotel Steinplatz, Berlin, until 13 Sept.; it may be worth her writing to him there (autogr.)
/120 Ibid., 14 Sept. – is back in England and on his way to Birmingham; discusses the show in Berlin; on the catalogue (autogr.; some water damage)
/121 MWP to WBF, 20 Sept. – on her health; refers to his letter about the Berlin show [/6/120]; Phil Dark sent her a marvelous photograph of him; will not consult Phil in the matter of the Benin Baroque show; wonders if they should call it African Baroque; asks for press notices of the Berlin show; mentions the catalogue; on Daniel and Laura; asks him to let her know when he writes to Ralph Altman; discusses the Gio mask; discusses matters pertaining to the goldweight book; is working on a crossword puzzle competition (autogr.; some water damage)
/6/122 Ibid., 22 Sept. 1964 – Ruby did send the catalogue; is delighted with it; discusses it in detail; on his introduction; prays that all the BM things get back safely; on flying the plaques over; proposes to write to Adrian about the plaques; thinks they would be more subject to damage if they were shipped; asks him to draft a reply to Adrian’s letter for her; asks him to let her know about the mask from Allen; asks him to reread some of her letters and answer some questions; on people coming to lunch and dinner with her; the ILN ought to cover his Berlin show. 4 pages (autogr.)
/123 WBF to MWP, 24 Sept. – sends a copy of his report on the Berlin show for the Trustees [see MS 499/11/273]; wanted to include a similar one on his Moscow trip but Miss Wood failed to do another copy; asks about Ralph Altman; on not writing yet to Bill Rooney; he will agree on two conditions; states these (autogr.)
/124 MWP to WBF, 24 Sept. – on Jay Leff; Luba Potemkin is giving 20 pieces; on Merlyn Evans; discusses various artefacts (autogr.; some water damage)
/125 WBF to MWP, 25 Sept. – encloses the manuscript of his Russian report [not held]; thanks her for her appreciative comments on the Berlin catalogue; on the photographs; discusses Adrian’s letter concerning the transportation of the plaques (autogr.)
/126 MWP to WBF, 1 Oct. – has read his reports on Moscow and Berlin to a select few; everyone thinks them superb; on Merlyn Evans; describes the African Gallery; the Evanses are demanding guests; discusses Merlyn; is glad she is out of the London and New York art worlds; she should have married a man who would give her children; on the German who wants to photograph her goldweights; refers to a letter from Charles R.; came to Washington in response to a State Department request; Warren’s gallery is awful; thinks the art part of the Smithsonian should find a curator; Roy is not the ideal curator; the Smith[sonian] has the makings of a good museum collection; is not feeling well; outlines her social engagements. 4 pages (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/127 WBF to MWP, 5 Oct. – is writing on his way back from his final visit to Berlin; discusses a mishap to the UM Ibo mask; had a good discussion with François Mathey who is organizing the show in Paris; the Paris showing is from 28 Oct. until the end of Nov.; the catalogue is a sell-out; must now do some work on the Nottingham University exhibition; on the election (autogr.; some water damage)
/6/128 MWP to WBF, 5 Oct. 1964 – asks for the goldweight chart and the pictures before he goes to Africa; knows she is a burden to him; is in a depressive phase; if she could get on with the goldweight book she could pull out of it; on changes in her trust arrangement, which will mean having more money; on the hysteria of the presidential campaign; the pressures of his life alienate him from her; she is in distress; after the party for Margretta she will go to New York to see Cy; the Lusaka trip worries her; on the situation in the Congo; it looks as though all Africa will have anarchy before too long (autogr.; some water damage)
/129 Ibid., 6 Oct. – is under the influence of four different pills; what she needs is a witch doctor; has written down the dates he will be away; hopes he will return to London from Lusaka to pick up mail before going to […?]; refers to Adrian’s letter [not held] about a new Plass Collection; on her health; on her goldweight book; asks him to write to her before flying to Lusaka (autogr.; some water damage)
/130 WBF to MWP, 7 Oct. – sends the first sheet of his Moscow report, which he left out; Mabel has sent two cheques; discusses Luba’s axe; cannot tell her more about the Bakongo ivory; discusses ‘Benin Baroque’; on the question of the transport of the plaques; the Eilenberg pectoral should not be included in the B[enin] B[aroque] show; it belongs in a show about the L[ower] N[iger] B[ronze] I[ndustry]; explains why he does not want to call it ‘African Baroque’; on meeting Fred Duerr at Frankfurt Airport; gives news of him and Marianne; was sorry to hear that her {MWP’s] depression has developed; makes some suggestions about how to deal with it; will try to send the classification and the photographs before going to Rhodesia. 4 pages (autogr.)
/131 MWP to WBF, 8 Oct. – feels worse today; her doctor suggested she is suffering from cyclical depression like Virginia Woolf; she cannot kill herself now because her will needs rewriting; mentions Eilenberg’s money; asks him if he wants the Dan mask; she is no good at selling things; is no good at anything; asks him to drop a line to David Shelton’s nephew John who is studying in London (autogr.; some water damage)
/6/132 Ibid., 9 Oct. 1964 – is a mental mess; wrote to the Director and Adrian; on republishing the Plass Collection; had lunch with Mortimer, who is in favour; Mortimer has okayed her buying the Eilenberg plaque with capital; on selling shares; on her charitable donations; on Mortimer’s role as her trustee; is in no condition right now to do anything; on leaving articles of primitive art to the BM in her will; wants to do as much for the museum as she can; inflation or a crash from a Goldwater election could make her comparatively poor; the Evanses triggered this attack (autogr.)
/133 Ibid., ibid. – just posted a letter to him; she should talk to Mabel Zahn about sending his mother money; went to see her and found her very forgetful; discusses an Ibo mask; it has been loaned time after time; no one knows how it was damaged and the pieces lost; David is going to see if the pieces of the crest are tucked away somewhere; mentions Bill Davenport, who says there is no curator for Africa; Fro insists on a generous loan policy; they never say no to WBF[?]; on David; on the African Gallery (autogr.; water damaged)
/134 Ibid., 10 Oct. – she is so proud of him and loves him; is losing her mind; cannot describe it; there was no mail from him; got a letter from Bill Sharpe; she is less likely to kill herself than she was last year; her financial affairs are not in order; needs to change her will again; the doctor is coming but he is no good for her; no one is except WBF (autogr.)
/135 Ibid., 12 Oct. – mental confusion still reigns; on a party she went to; the Ambassador made a speech saying Guinea was still fighting for its independence; on dancers; on drummers; is frightened about her Christmas trip; mentions Cy Nelson; had hoped to have a copy of the book; cannot work on the goldweight book; asks him about the Dan mask; has a foreboding that Johnson will be assassinated before the election; on the weather (autogr.; water damaged)
/136 WBF to MWP, ibid. – the book has arrived; it looks wonderful; he also received her advance copy but has sent it on; is proud to see their names together on the cover; on their joint input to the book; refers to her letter of 8 Oct. [/6/131]; discusses her depression; mentions Virginia Woolf; discusses her letter to Adrian [not held]; mentions Goldwater (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/6/137 MWP to WBF, 13 Oct. 1964 – on her depression; it is not as bad as the depression she had last Nov.; on a book she is reading; hopes he gets this letter before he leaves for Rhodesia; his devotion to Africa is a lesson and an inspiration (autogr.; some water damage)
/138 Ibid. to WBF or Lilian Fagg, 15 Oct. – Mabel Zahn is giving ‘African Sculpture’ a week’s window display; decided against an autographing party; refers to WBF’s letter [/6/136]; Mabel is sending a cheque this month following the sale of more books; on being a worrier; mentions the situation in Russia; on news of the British election; on American news; thanks WBF for his ever-present help in times of trouble (autogr.; some water damage)
/139 WBF to MWP, 16 Oct. – stayed up all night for the election; discusses the political situation; has reread her letters as far back as 1 Sept.; has some comments; on the cost of the Plass catalogue; mentions Bill Rooney; discusses the Eilenberg plaque; wants to make a splash with the collection of L[ower] N[iger] B[ronze] I[ndustry]; on gathering the most important pieces for an exhibition; suggests she keep the plaque for a while[?]; is sorry not to have answered about the Gio mask; discusses it; on an article she sent him; discusses money; would not advise using the Egerton mask in the Baroque show; on the Ibo mask (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/140 Bill [Sharpe] to MWP, 22 Oct. – her last letter [not held] contains a hint that she is improving; early morning insomnia is a problem; discusses problems of newly developing countries; has had a hell of a week (autogr;.); [on verso:] MWP to WBF, nd – discusses Bill Sharpe; on the shock felt after the assassination of Kennedy; on her activities; feels rather better (autogr.; incomplete?)
/141 MWP to WBF, 23 Oct. – has been insane for three or four weeks; on a temporary will in which she left him less than she intended; her lawyer says she is too ‘disturbed’ to remake it; refers to his success; the Hunter picture at Mabel’s is to be sold for his mother’s account; she adores him (autogr.)
/142 Ibid., 27 Oct. – was brought to hospital; on her health; on her treatment in the hospital; on her feelings; Mortimer will pay for the plaque; suggests he write to David; on Grotanelli; on Nick Zervas (autogr.; some water damage)
/6/143 WBF to MWP, 28 Oct. 1964 – has just flown in from Paris after the opening of his [show]; has not seen any letters which may have arrived in the past 10 days; has had no time during this period; hopes the improvement in her condition kept up; on her depression; discusses his experience in Zambia; on returning home he found her two letters of 15 and 23 Oct. [/6/138 & /6/141]; discusses these; discusses her sanity; on the possibility that she is in hospital; she must never give up the struggle; looks forward to her next letter (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/144 Bill [Sharpe] to ibid., 29 Oct. – was distressed that she is in hospital; will see her next weekend; ToTo was also suicidal because he had lost some work but he found it; on a dinner party; on Mark Ravitch giving a lecture; on giving a lecture himself; on his work; her disease is hard to separate from her personality (autogr.) [on verso:] MWP to WBF, nd – on her health; hopes to see Mortimer and remake her will by the end of the week; asks him to comment on Bill’s 22 Oct. letter [not held]; mentions her mother’s senility (autogr.; some missing?)
/145 WBF to MWP, 1 Nov. – is sorry she has had to go to hospital; refers to her letter of 27 Oct. [/6/142]; discusses the question of her losing her mind; mentions her mother; refers to her remaking her will; on postponing important decisions until she is better[?]; discusses her depression; discusses the election (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/146 MWP to WBF, ibid. – woke up feeling better; the ink ran out in her pen so she is writing in pencil; hopes to get back to her apartment soon; refers to a special Africa supplement in the Sunday Times[?]; refers to Zambia Independence Day; mentions Goldwater; the Americans are a gutless lot; mentions her friends (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/147 Ibid., 2 Nov. – is to be released from hospital tomorrow; the Zervases are spending election evening with her; she fears Goldwater will get in; is proud of him; he is the only entirely great man she has ever known; she thinks she will get better and then try to get to England or Italy to live; David is being perfect (autogr.)
/6/148 Ibid., 5 Nov. 1964 – is back [in her apartment] after 11 days in hospital; describes how she took an overdose and was taken to hospital; on his advice to her when she was euphoric in July and Aug.; Bill Sharpe is coming over tomorrow; thinks she is coming out of the depression; will never try again to kill herself; asks him to send press praise of the Paris show; Louise is coming to discuss income tax with her; on the weather; has decided against a nursing home; should try to get better so she can come to London about Christmas (autogr.)
/149 WBF to MWP, 6 Nov. – was delighted to get her letter saying she had come out of the depression; is looking forward to hearing more from her, both about her condition and about other things; asks if she sent off copies of the book through Duttons; on the prospect of royalties; asks her to look after gift copies in the Western hemisphere; on recipients of gift copies; on the American election result (autogr.; some water damage)
/150 MWP to WBF, ibid. – David thinks she should write a piece on Luba’s tusk for Expedition; Harold’s came from the same dealer; asks if he remembers an ivory of a woman and man chained together; discusses this[?] with diagrams; describes the tusk[?]; seems to be improving; on people she has seen; Gwen wants her to go to Arizona with her; describes a spa they would visit; she could get on with the goldweight book; asks about the Paris show; tells him Carlebach has died; on Nelson.4 pages (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/151 Ibid., 7 Nov. – Bill Sharpe was supposed to come yesterday but could not get in; she bought a prayer book for him [Sharpe]; on a dinner and lecture she attended; she went out to prove that she could look human; on a Malagasy she met named John Bondi; when she was ill she made up a parcel of his letters and told David to return them to him; if he read them he would realize how wonderful he had been to her; feels pretty well this afternoon; on the political situation in England; her curiosity about the world is beginning to revive; is so grateful to him for being an ever-present help in times of trouble; this depression has only lasted a month; on Adrian; mentions some of the happy things which have come WBF’s way this year; refers to the photo of WBF with a cat which Phil D[ark] took. 4 pages (autogr.)
/6/152 Ibid., 10 Nov. 1964 – on his schools’ broadcast; she would have liked to have seen the booklet [see MS 499/11/159]; is going to New York next week to send out copies of his new book; on her health; the trip to England at Christmas is out; she may go to the spa in Arizona; Mortimer says she can do anything she wants; will post the plaque; she wants him to have it; David can discuss the Benin Baroque show with him; it is to be in late Feb.; he might check the list; mentions Dr B.W. Andrejewski, of SOAS; on the Academie der Kunste catalogue (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/153 Ibid., 12 Nov. – hopes he will not be disappointed that London is not for her this winter; on her physical health; is going to go to Arizona; will make a new will next week; on making gifts to Bryn Mawr and the UM[?] or the Hospital; refers to what she will leave to him in her will; asks if he would like her to post the Eilenberg [plaque] to him; when he comes in the autumn she would like him to have all her African art except the little king and the goldweight case; on the new government in the UK; on LBJ; no longer feels psychotic but is suffering from emotional desolation and depression; mentions Roy; mentions Cy Nelson; asks WBF to check with Herbert so that Nelson does not duplicate her list in sending books to people; the organization chart of goldweights came; is awaiting the photographs; will take the goldweight manuscript to Arizona; her intellectual diffidence defeats her; is frightened by world events; how he can love her is inexplicable to her; moments of feeling better do not last; her love for him never falters. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/154 WBF to MWP, 13 Nov. – refers to her letters of 5, 7 & 9 Nov. [/6/148 & /6/151; letter of 9 Nov. not held]; had not realized before that she had taken an overdose; that was naughty of her; she must not take chances with her life and his heart; if she died by such action he would be grief-stricken for the rest of his life; begs her never to consider such a thing again; the Paris show has been extended (autogr.; some water damage)
/6/155 MWP to WBF, 15 Nov. 1964 – is marking time, hoping that this will pass; describes her daily routine; describes her state of mind; on the view from her apartment; is thinking of man’s destructiveness; the CCICA bulletin has come; it includes a digest of his last papers; Fro Rainey is greatly pleased with this great little book; Africa in turmoil terrifies America; she does not want death, she wants five years of oblivion; is curious enough to wonder what all this lawlessness will lead to (autogr.; some water damage)
/156 Ibid., 16 Nov. – thanks him for the French cuttings [not held]; discusses the cuttings; thanks him for the letter which accompanied them; she had thought that her death would relieve him of worry; it would free him to do more and better work; he is by far the greatest human being she has ever encountered; on her habit of writing down thoughts which seemed to have some validity; they are almost always his thoughts; promises never again to try suicide; mentions Bill Sharpe (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/157 Ibid., ibid. – is trying to keep in the real world by reading the papers; she has confused and restless sleep; is eating well; will sign her new will this week; it will give him about £20-30,000; on the weather; is flying to Phoenix on 25 Nov.; asks him questions about world affairs; on Stevie coming for dinner; she baked a pie; asks him not to say that it would be good for her to come to London; on her medication; mentions Merlyn. 4 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/158 Ibid., 18 Nov. – is doing better; refers to his letter [possibly /6/154]; cannot see much to look forward to in this world of lawlessness and vandalism; since she is not leaving any money to the BM she should live to give him substantial presents every year[?]; he cannot want this fearful woman to go on living too long; he is the only person who has really known and loved her; is taking the Ashanti manuscript to Arizona; she will not commit the ‘final impertinence’ (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/6/159 WBF to MWP, 22 Nov. 1964 – refers to her last six or eight letters; hopes the depression will soon leave her; there is nothing wrong with her mind; on the numbers of pseudo-insane Americans who have abdicated their minds; there are 100 times too many psychiatrists in America; hopes she will have a wonderful time in Arizona; hopes she will take her painting kit with her; is sorry she will not be coming to London for Christmas; hopes she might come over for New Year; the Paris exhibition has been extended to 3 Jan.; he will go over on 1 Jan.; hopes she will come straight from Phoenix to Europe; on getting a new office (autogr.; some water damage)
/160 MWP to WBF, 23 Nov. – on her health; will come to London as soon as possible after Phoenix (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/161 Ibid., 24 Nov. – hopes the mail will bring some word from him; she never loved anyone but him (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/162 Ibid., 25 Nov. [as per postmark] – describes the landscape she can see [from a plane]; on Emily Bache; she left too early for the mail; perhaps she will get a letter from him at Camelback Inn; on her watercolours[?]; asks if he should send a note to David to facilitate his entrance into the UK with the plaque; Jay Leff is having a show at the MPA; Kelly Simpson went to the opera with David; on a dinner; Leff will soon be on the MPA board; suggests he write for a catalogue; mentions the Carlebach Gallery; on a show by Harold Rome; he composed music for looking at the paintings; has not heard anything of Elisofon or Gross; she wrote to Mrs Merkel; is still broken-hearted not to be allowed to go to London; asks after his mother; from Phoenix she will be driven to Camelback; asks him not to worry over the plaque; feels it will be safe with him; on LBJ; asks him to write as often as he can; is trying not to lean on him too much; asks if she should send him the money for the mask after 1 Jan. 3 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/6/163 WBF to MWP, 28 Nov. 1964 – has posted a Paris catalogue to Daniel; is sorry his letter did not reach her before she left for Phoenix; on the address of her hide-out; refers to her letter posted in Dallas; on the flight; is glad Mortimer persuaded her to take her paints; she should work at this unless she has the urge to write about goldweights; her illness has been complicated by goldwater fever; she has been living in the conditioned ambience of an American city, living in the scabby crust of life; they have been given the faculty of seeing life as a whole and loving it; he knows life is wonderful; on materialism as opposed to spiritual values; they live on a frontier of life; the Frontier was revolutionary; on his exhibition; on completing her ‘cure’ by coming straight on from Phoenix to Europe (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/164 MWP to WBF, 30 Nov. – is giving a copy of the book to an Art History major (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/165 Bill [Sharpe] to MWP, ibid. – on a girl at the University of Arizona; on his family Thanksgiving; her paperback is selling well; Gerald bought two copies; refers to a copy of Cottrell and Leonard’s ‘Academic Costume in America’; Paul is leaving on 13 Dec. for HOPE; refers to the Stanleyville mess. 2 leaves (autogr. with autogr. note from MWP to WBF, nd – discusses Bill Sharpe; on arthritis of the eyeballs; is flying to LA on 11 [Dec.] for a few days (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage; includes envelope with near-illegible note by MWP)
/166 Daniel [Biebuyck], University of California, Los Angeles, to MWP, 30 Nov. – on previous letters [not held]; is sorry she has been sick and is unable to go to London; gives his address; would like to see her; has not yet received her book; on the Congo situation (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/167 WBF to MWP, 3 Dec. – refers to her letter written last Sunday [perhaps /6/164]; she does not seem very happy yet; is surprised that she has not had many letters from him; he also sent a copy of his Nottingham catalogue [not held] and the BBC talks pamphlet [MS 499/11/159]; does not think she should keep on worrying about the state of the world; it may seem worse from America; Africa is not in a particularly bad [state]; discusses various aspects of African politics; tells her to get well and be well enough to come to Paris on 1 Jan.; hopes she is painting vigorously; he wrote to David about the LNBI plaque (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/6/168 Ibid., 4 Dec. 1964 – sends some reviews of ‘Nigerian Images’; the most favourable is by Thurstan Shaw; discusses the other reviews; is going to Paris 1-5 Jan. for the closing of the exhibition on 3 Jan.; in her letters she seems to think he is offended that she did not come pre-Christmas; he wants what is best for her; accepts that she should stay at Phoenix over Christmas; thinks she should have a further rest in Europe before returning to the duties of Philadelphia; is always appalled by the continuous telephone calls she receives (autogr.; some water damage)
/169 MWP to the Editor, the Times, 7 Dec. – refers to the review of ‘Afrique, Cent Tribus – Cent Chefs d’Œvres’ by Edward Lucie-Smith published on 17 Nov. [MS 499/11/352]; the review omits the British origin of the show; the exhibition has been extended until 3 Jan.; many English people go abroad at Christmas; seeing the exhibition in Paris would be a source of pride; on the catalogue being the work of the BM Deputy Keeper, WBF; the fact of the exhibition being part of the Berlin Festival was also omitted by Mr Lucie-Smith; quotes from his article; alludes to Sir Herbert Read’s ‘Concies History of Modern Sculpture’; African sculpture is Africa’s greatest contribution to the richness of human culture; [to WBF:] hopes he can rewrite this and make it stronger to get it into the Times; is annoyed that Duttons have not delivered any copies of the book yet; is seeing Biebuyck next week; refers to his reviewing the book for Man; when she was sick he left her three weeks without a letter; she did not reproach him as she knows how crowded his days are; on her health and spirits; is able to concentrate on reading and writing; on the place she is staying; hopes David brings him the bronze; on insurance; refers to his letters of 3 & 4 Dec. [/6/167 & /6/168]; mentions Kat Merkel; on his stay at the Hotel du Sénat; on Gwen; is grateful to her friends who ring and write daily; she worries about Johnson in the White House; on medication. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/170 MWP, Camelback Inn, Phoenix, Arizona, to WBF, Dec. – [illegible]. 4 pages (autogr.; water damaged)
/6/171 Adrian Digby to MWP, 11 Dec. 1964 – thanks her for her letter [not held]; thanks her for the copy of her book; on WBF’s show; does not think she should write to the Times; is sorry to hear of her eye complaint; envies her being among the Pueblos; hopes the new edition of the Plass Catalogue will appear in 1965 but he is waiting on the Director; on David Crownover; is getting ready to celebrate Henry Christy’s centenary (tp. with autogr. comments from MWP to WBF (autogr;. much illegible due to water damage)
/171
[No number 172]
/173 WBF to MWP, 14 Dec. – is on his way from Birmingham to Oxford; is going to help BEBF with an exhibition; was in Birmingham to lecture to the African Society on ‘Tribality in African Art’, a lecture based on the Berlin-Paris exhibition; refers to her letter to the Times; last week he spent the weekend in Paris having been invited by the Société Africaine de Culture; refers to the ‘Pre-Colloque’ for the Dakar Festival in a year’s time; refers to Alioune Diop; was able to clear up some of the problems of the British Committee for the Dakar Festival; arranged for some people to come to London in mid-Jan. for discussions; discusses his speech; she has not replied to his request that she come to Paris before 3 Jan.; was not put out that she could not come for Christmas but he does not see why she should not come straight to Paris (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/174 C. Jared Ingersoll to ibid., ibid. – thanks her for the book on African sculpture; has read it with a great deal of interest; he and Agnes have some hopes of taking a cruise along the East Coast of Africa this coming winter (tp.)
/175 MWP to WBF, 16 Dec. [as per postmark] – refers to Nigeria speaking for the West in the United Nations; will try to get a lot of writing onto one sheet; encloses Adrian’s letter [/6/171] which annoyed her; Adrian is as manic-depressive as she is; mentions Gwen’s serious accident; she is so over-sweet; this is her [MWP’s] penance for wishing she were dead; on travel plans; Kat wrote to her; discusses Kat’s family; she had a letter from Joe and Louise; they want her to go out with them next Apr. [to Africa] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/6/176 Glenn Bernard to MWP, 18 Dec. 1964 – thanks her for the copy of ‘African Sculpture’; congratulates her on a beautiful job; hopes she is enjoying her sunning (tp.) [on verso:] MWP to WBF, nd – illegible (autogr.; water damaged)
/177 MWP to WBF, post-25 Dec. – sends him a cheque; asks him to have David bring back her Asalampasu mask; she received cards from him, his mother and Ruby on Christmas Day; feels happy and over-stimulated; everyone has sent her extravagant floral offerings (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/7 1965 Margaret Plass Papers
/1 WBF to MWP, nd [1965] – on the Art of the Commonwealth catalogue; is going to the Curator’s Dinner tonight (autgor. pc)
/2 Ibid., 3 Jan. 1965 – on travels over New Year; she cooked dinner on New Years Day; mentions David Shelton; tried to buy the Fagg-Plass book in a bookshop in Washington; asks about reviews; got a cable from Margretta; supposes he has seen the Crownolet; David saw the Paris show; [Daniel] Biebuyck got the Paris catalogue; asks if he asked Biebuyck to review ‘African Sculpture’; is glad to be well again; is going to Kat’s next weekend (autogr.’ some illegible due to water damage)
/3 Ibid., 5 Jan. – almost no Jews except Seymour Adelman and her doctor Sidney Zubrow have written to thank her for free copies of the book; lists those who have not written; nor anyone from what she considers her ‘upper-bracket’ friends; among dealers only Aaron Furman wrote; the Newton Hills had not received the book; Saul Riesenberg wrote for himself and Gordon; Emily Pethers[?] sold 72 copies in a week at the Smithsonian; of the 160 copies she sent out, more than have been acknowledged; George Allen wrote that he was sure that she did not write the book; wishes she could prevent a recurrence of depression (autogr.)
/4 Ibid., ibid. – on the last 21 days in Feb.; refers to the interview with her in the Arizona Republican; Hills will be here in Feb.; they are going with Allen and M-T to Virginia to see the Harleys one of the weekends when he is there; Allen will get him a lecture in Washington; he will have to visit Saul Riesenberg and Gibson; she really could not work there; Soapy will be back in Michigan; discusses Soapy; is delighted he can come; on the weather; on a letter from Princess Alice; on a letter from the Times; is going to Kat’s (autogr.)
/7/5 Ibid., 9 Jan. 1965 – on the boys; being with WBF was the high mark of their trip; is thrilled about revising the catalogue with him; will give money to the Department; it will be the beginning of a fund to provide subsistence for members of the department going abroad; it could be called the Keeper’s Discretionary Fund; discusses Frank; Princess Alice wants her to lecture in London; discusses the Plass Collection; adores the Talbot Ibibio; is giving the Asalampasu to the UM; asks him to find her two or three goldweights; is working on the goldweight book; the Asalampasu is too big for the guest room (autogr.)
/6 Ibid., 13 Jan. – she sold the Forcados River bell to Kat for $1,000; Mortimer is on the board of White Motors Corporation, founded by Kat’s father; discusses Kat; has encouraged Kat to catalogue her collection; on Willie Wixom; on the guest accommodation; Kat has a new beau, Warren Bishop; asks him to let her know when he arrives; refers to a letter she wrote from the train to Cleveland; recounts how the conductor gave up his bedroom for her; gives other details of her journey; on African stuff in Cleveland; on Kat’s collection. 2 leaves (autogr.); [on verso:] Frank [Francis] to MWP, 8 Jan. – on her letters; is taking up with the Accountant the question she asked about the shares (tp.)
/7 WBF to MWP, 19 Jan. – on travel arrangements; it is wonderful that they will be together again in less than three weeks; on going to see the Harleys; he should have read his publications beforehand; there is little prospect of this; on his Christmas present to her, an Ibibio[?] replica; on shipment of bronzes on the ‘Pioneer Cove’; was not sure of the meaning of part of her cable; was approached by a magazine to do texts for them; on the fee; describes the work; wonders if she would like to do it[?]; on slides he made in Paris (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/8 MWP to WBF, 20 Jan. – refers to his note of 16 Jan. [not held]; on the dock strike; the shipment on the Q.E. leaving on 8 [Feb.] will be fine; on his arrival in Philadelphia; on ailments caused by the cold; is lecturing to psychiatric patients today; mentions a private view tonight; on a show of Churcilliana by Seymour Adelman; outlines their programme during his visit; they will have loads of time to work on the catalogue; is feeling well; on her lecture at the hospital. 3 pages (autogr.; includes envelope with note from WBF to MWP – visit postponed; arriving 15 [Feb.])
/7/9 MWP to WBF, 24 Jan. 1965 – she, Allen and M-T are sleeping at Windmill Point Marine Lodge and spending the days at Dr Harley’s; on 22 Jan. went to Washington and lunched with Stevie; went to David Shelton’s and made her will again; will give him a copy; on a dreadful experience when a medicine she was gargling with went down her windpipe; goes into the details; on the boys coming to dinner; the doctor was mad that she was not in bed; told him she was going to Washington the next morning; on staying at David Shelton’s place at Bay Vista; on visiting Dr Harley with Allen and M.-T.; gives some of Dr Harley’s history; Porter wants WBF to do a seminar at Harvard; Warren Robbins wants a lecture; is not feeling well but has another engagement with Harley, followed by the long drive back to Washington. 5 pages (autogr.) [includes envelope with note by MWP – this is a charming place to stay (autogr.)]
/10 Ibid., 25 Jan. – outlines her movements and activities over the last few days; describes the rooms in David’s house; describes how she made a soup out of leftovers; describes the visit to Harley’s with Allen and Marie-Thérèse; describes dinner, then a night in a boatel; on visiting Harley again the next day; on going back to Washington and spending the evening with the Davises; on the arrival of an unexpected visitor, Jim Schnoller[?]; refers to the clipping from the Arizona Republican; brought three of her paintings to put with her dealer Mathilde Dordet; is better today; alludes to the death of Churchill; on the importance of taking naps; Ruth Gates took some pictures of her which she thinks he will like; asks him to bring over some goldweights with him (autogr.)
/11 The Hecht Co., advertisement for a sale of African Art, 28 Jan. – 13 Feb. (newspaper cutting with autogr. notes by MWP)
/12 WBF to MWP, 29 Jan. – has cabled her that he must postpone his visit by a week; explains the reason, to do with an RAI Council meeting to discuss a proposal for the amalgamation of Man and the Journal; he wants to resist this; on three letters received from her; alludes to the ‘Russian roulette’ with her medication; on her many lives; is expecting to fly back on 8 Mar.; on Bob Thompson, who wants him to visit Yale; should welcome the chance to talk to George Kubler about their book; the Dakar Festival is postponed until Apr. 1966; tells her to be careful of her health (autogr.; some water damage)
/7/13 MWP to WBF, 30 Jan. 1965 – on the service in St Paul’s [Winston Churchill’s funeral]; mentions the service at Washington Cathedral for President Kennedy; on a service in the Episcopal Church opposite her apartment; mentions Adlai Stephenson; on a sale of African art[?] with a lecture by Ted Coe; went to a show; on sales of their book (autogr.; water damaged)
/14 Ibid., 31 Jan. – on her health and her medication; is going to write a piece for Expedition on Potemkin’s ivory; on fan letters; on his superb new book; discusses Princess Alice; wishes she knew why the trip was postponed; on the date for his lecture on Benin (autogr.)
/15 Ibid., 3 Feb. – does not think she will allow anyone to make any more dates with him; runs through some of his appointments; hopes he can still get into his dinner jacket; resents his allusion to Russian roulette; on her health; on lectures; mentions Kat; is so glad he is coming; on sales of the book (autogr.; some water damage)
/16 Ibid., 5 Feb. – on some papers Kat has forwarded to her; on the strike; on lecture dates during his visit; mentions Kubler (autogr.)
/17 Ibid., 6 Feb. – on his refuting Gunn’s charges; discusses Gunn; on the words ‘aquamanile’ and ‘siderolithic’; hopes Gordon Gibson does not ask Gunn to review their book; cannot wait for him to visit Gordon and view his awful exhibition; mentions Phil Dark (autogr.)
/18 WBF to MWP, 8 Feb. – he aches to be with her; would love to see her at the airport when he arrives; on the date of his return; refers to her note on Gunn’s review; discusses other reviews; on the words ‘siderolithic’ and ‘aquamaniles’; on his lectures; was sorry to hear that the ‘Pioneer Cove’ is probably strike-bound; he shall not reply to Gunn’s review; mentions James Coleman (autogr.; some water damage)
/19 MWP to WBF, 9 Feb. – this letter should reach him before he leaves; it brings prayers for a safe crossing; mentions a crash in Long Island Sound; discusses Kat; discusses ‘What in the World?’; on the death of Rainey’s daughter; discusses the Rainey family; discusses David; is going to David Shelton’s (autogr.)
/20 Liturgical Arts, Mar. – ‘A Defeatist’s Lament’ (printed card)
/7/21 Daniel B[iebuyck] to MWP, 3 Mar. 1965 – hopes she received his letter; they have all been very busy; on a review of her and WBF’s book; on a Sotheby’s auction; asks for a photograph of her Lega mask; Laura and the children are fine (autogr.)
/22 Kat Merkel to MWP & WBF, 6 Mar. – is sorry to have dashed off without proper goodbyes; Warren got her to the airport on time; Warren proposed that she become a trustee of his museum; asks their advice; Mr Hecht[?] did not turn up; has bought a picture; thanks them for her Washington days; she loved seeing them both. 4 pages (autogr. with autogr. note by MWP; some water damage)
/23 MWP to WBF, 9 Mar. – she has lost weight; on letters she has written and will write; has a date with Mortimer’s lawyer, John Young; she has transferred her business to him; on financial matters; misses him but will see him soon; asks if they should go to Paris for Easter (autogr.)
/24 Ibid., 11 Mar. – asks if she sent him Biebuyck’s letter [probably /7/21]; has answered it and sent Lega photographs; refers to the review of their book which Biebuyck is inquiring about; he is looking forward to their trip in the autumn; encloses a piece from the Reporter [not held]; on some things she has bought for him; on the menu for tonight’s dinner for the boys; asks for a copy of Biebuyck’s review; on letters she must write; on Kathy; reminds him to get plane tickts to Paris (autogr.)
/25 WBF to MWP, 14 Mar. – this is the first thank you letter, a preliminary to the others on her list; he loved his three weeks with her; loved finding her so well; on her apartment; is sure she will be better able to meet any future depression than the last one; on taxis; it is wonderful that they will see each other again in just over three weeks; cannot go to Paris for Easter as he is on duty at the museum; suggests other dates (autogr.)
/26 Ibid., 15 Mar. – on their financial relationship; on the Balega ivories from the Stoclet collection; they should not try to get one; on a piece which he would like; on rearranging the pieces in the former Plass case; on a review by Harold Rosenberg in the New Yorker; on developments at the RAI concerning publications; suggests going to Paris on 9 Apr. (autogr.; some water damage)
/7/27 MWP to WBF, 20 Mar. 1965 – has posted a letter to the Chaim Grosses about goldweights; later she will write to Charles; will take almost all his; has been doing research on Wolseley; on shopping ; Ruth has sent 3000 words of introduction to the plate and captions; got up at three this morning; on her hours; Bill and David are coming for dinner; on the menu; on the menu for lunch tomorrow; on Allen’s baby son (autogr.; some water damage)
/28 Ibid., post-22 Mar. – this is a relief to her [referring to letter on verso]; looks forward to being there for 10 days before 5 Dec.; refers to going to London for Christmas; on expenses; discusses Kat and Warren Bishop (autogr.); [on verso:] Ralph Altman, University of California, Los Angeles, to MWP, 22 Mar. – is very busy; on his collection; is hoping to appoint Dan Biebuyck as curator of the African Negro part of the holdings; has invited WBF to the 5 Dec. exhibition; UCLA will take care of all expenses; is happy that she will come too; is irritated by ‘high art – low art’ pronouncements; the application of the term ‘folk art’ to certain kinds of Negro art is misleading and harmful (tp.)
/29 Fred Duerr to MWP, 22 Mar. – refers to her letter of 6 Feb. [not held]; on Marianne; on his work as manager of the largest retail jewelry chain in Europe; will be looking for a new project; on his visit to Philadelphia (tp. with autogr. note from Marianne to MWP)
/30 MWP to WBF, post-23 Mar. – this ‘damned fool’ makes her sick [referring to letter on verso]; on the Benin show; Kat is going with her to Columbia; Stevie has a virulent type of cancer; the prognosis is three weeks or less; discusses him; David Shelton took it hard; she would only feel worse if Mortimer dies; WBF’s death is something she could not take (autogr.); [on verso:] Douglas Fraser, Columbia University, to MWP, 23 Mar. – refers to her letter of 15 Mar. [not held]; on ‘folk art’; asks about her paper on Benin; on the Benin Baroque show (tp.)
/7/31 Ibid., 27 Mar. 1965 – on Stevie; refers to a letter from Biebuyck who is not getting on with Altman; he will not accept the curatorship of just the African stuff; Delaware is trying to get him back; he hates California; had a phone call from Bob Thompson; there is no word from Roy; asks if WBF has heard from him; Bob and Nancy have a baby coming in June or July; on the Davis’ baby; in Washington Soapy asked her to come and look at a display they were doing for the President of Upper Volta; has written to the Hills (autogr.; some water damage)
/32 WBF to MWP, 29 Mar. – is sorry to leave her so long without a letter; encloses Doug Fraser’s letter with comments; it is not proper to call an art aristocratic unless it is exclusively so; cites some cases; discusses the Copenhagen Bakuba statue; on a note from Ralph Altman; on getting her room stocked up before her arrival; on bookings at Dolphin Square and in Paris; on arrangements for the trip; on his new office; on de Rachewiltz’s ‘Black Eros’; on his own contribution to the book; mentions the visit of the Hazards; mentions Warren Robbins; he has not been commissioned by the Festival to produce a book but hopes to get it out in time; the book will be a damp squib compared to his own ‘Tribes and Forms’; suggests that she contribute some of her pieces to Robbins’ book. 4 pages (autogr.)
/33 MWP to WBF, 31 Mar. – David is not staying; he is flying to Iraq; she is getting a service flat at Dolphin Square; on Stevie; Ernest Harding is dining with her tonight; David and Bill Davenport are coming to lunch; they are returning the Leff Balega; Bill is taking the small Bakota in exchange for Solomon[?] pieces (autogr.)
/34 Ibid., 4 Apr. – on the weather; is staying the night at the Cos Club; on travel arrangements; Mabel rang her about the Chaucer; discusses the price offered for it; she thinks he should accept; on a letter from Charles, who will be in London; on a phone call from Renée Gross about taking photographs of Chaim’s goldweights; Louise and Joe Hill are arriving in Dolphin Square on 20 [Apr.]; made ‘scrapple’ for lunch; on people she had for dinner (autogr.; some water damage)
/35 Ibid., 4 May – on the work piled on her desk; on her flight to Philadephia; Bill B. came to dinner; on money; on people dying of cancer[?]; mentions her Radcliffe Club lecture (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/7/36 Kat Merkel to MWP, 4 May 1965 – on receiving a letter from her, and other items; the local Museum’s show of local crafts opened yesterday; on things she bought; discusses the Bakuba cup from the Webster Plass Collection; on plans for 15 [May]; saw a Po spoon at Klejmans but he wanted $1300 for it; is way behind on things (tp. with autogr. note)
/37 Ibid., nd – Daniel B. left this morning; he has taken her black Balega mask; he is a wonderful person; discusses him further; she has so much to thank MWP for; lists all the things she is grateful for; promises to do her best and give her steadiest devotion to her researches; on the weather; they should have let her talk on Benin; mentions Fraser; MWP added much to the gathering. 6 pages (autogr.)
/38 MWP to WBF, 5 May – discusses money; mentions the Plass catalogue; on making another will; she will leave him enough for him to be independent of Adrian and the RAI; cannot think of anything to be happy about; asks about photographs of the goldweights (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/39 Ibid., 6 May – on the way she is feeling[?]; on his way of life; mentions Mortimer; mentions Bill Bertolet and David; mentions Haiti (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/40 WBF to MWP, 10 May – on the process of readjusting to ordinary life after three weeks with her; on his work; on the photographs of goldweights; it was wonderful to have her there; on her managing of her depressions; on work she could do; suggests she attend the Dakar Festival; on Frank MacEwen; mentions money for the trip to Paris (autogr.; some water damage)
/41 MWP to WBF, 11 May – on the weather; she had Ruth Merriam over; on redoing her will; says that Dolphin Square was uncomfortable; her powers of concentration are waning (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/42 Ibid., 16 May – on going to Columbia with Daniel Biebuyck; mentions Douglas Fraser; Biebuyck was excellent; mentions the goldweights. 3 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage) [on verso:] programme for the Columbia University Symposium in Non-Western Art, ‘The Aristocratic Traditions in African Art’, 15 May (tp.)
/7/43 MWP to WBF, 17 May 1965 – Kat left yesterday afternoon; it was expensive for her [MWP]; is going to New York with Biebuyck[?]; on her health; on how she is feeling mentally[?] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/44 Ibid., 20 May – mentions the Encyclopaedia Britannica; on the goldweights; is fighting depression; mentions an Ashanti talk at Biebuyck’s colloquia (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/45 WBF to MWP, 21 May – on the time letters have been taking; is sorry she is not feeling too happy; from her letters it does not seem to him that she is in a full depression; on her account of the symposium; expects that David’s return may cheer her up; the Trustees have revised their policy on the transport of loans; does not know how this would work with a big consignment like the bronzes; on money; his letter was interrupted by a visit from Ken and Marion Fagg; on paying for the pieces he bought at Parke-Bernet; discusses the Plass collection (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/46 MWP to WBF, ibid. – asks if David has collected his coat; is never happy but is bluffing; was not happy in London or Paris; thinks a general handbook of the African collection would be more useful than a reprint of the Plass catalogue (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/47 Ibid., 27 May – on money[?]; discusses the republication of the Plass catalogue; on her dreams; she cannot go on like this much longer (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/48 Ibid., 28 May – refers to his letter of 21 May [/7/45]; discusses money; mentions Mortimer; just cooking meals and dealing with correspondence uses up the day; has ordered stronger sleeping pills; cannot bear to be indebted to anyone (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/49 Ibid., 3 June – refers to his letter of 31 May [not held]; refers to Webster; on Stevie’s death; on her health and her medication; would love to come over to London; is sure she will live to be 90 (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/7/50 Ibid., 10 June 1965 – has been rereading his old letters; he often cheers her; is all right again; on her health; David is coming for dinner; on the menu; tomorrow she will start typing some of the Discovering Art bits; on Dr Gustave Martin coming to see her things; gives news of Bill Bertolet; wrote to Daniel Biebuyck; on the Zervases; on going away with Kathy; may be visiting Kat while he is in Dakar; wants to keep busy while he is away (autogr.; some water damage)
/51 Ibid., 11 June – on the emotional state of the country; she seems pretty reasonable (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/52 Ibid., 14 June – on a previous letter[?]; her memory is bad; discusses Dolphin Square; on the weather (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/53 Ibid., 15 June – was sick in the morning; had to go to Hecksher’s to sign a petition to dissolve her trust; had a bad attack of colic; the problem is in her gall bladder; on going to hospital; David will bring her mail every day so suggests he [WBF] write to the Barclay as usual; hates to worry him with bad news (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/54 Ibid., 18 June – it is her third day [in hospital]; she is anaemic; on her treatment; everyone is being kind to her, especially David (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/55 Ibid.,, 20 June – is scheduled for discharge from hospital tomorrow; on the prescribed diet; the surgeon recommends taking out her gall bladder; Dr Zervas disagrees; on her other ailments; thinks she will be able to work on the captions for the goldweight; she is forbidden to drive herself; Dr Z. thinks it a good idea for her to go to the mountains with Kathy; thinks she has learned not to be dependent on his; refers to Stevie’s death; learning not to expect help from WBF at the same time was difficult; would prefer him to devote himself to work rather than to helping her to get well; thinks he is as perfect as a human being can be; will try to live up to what he expects of her; if he thinks she writes too often, she can cut down; hopes her letters make sense; they are not poetry like his; with all the tax revising going on hopes to be able to give money to the BM without taxing the contributions; on Britain’s economic condition; hopes he will write soon (autogr.)
/7/56 Ibid., post-20 June 1965 – on a bill for photographs [on verso]; left hospital yesterday; has no pain except headaches; thinks it is from the flavourless diet; thinks there is something really serious wrong with her; mentions Bill Sharpe; on a letter from Kat, who is more depressed than she is; Warren Bishop does not want to marry again for some time; on trips away in the coming weeks; Allen Davis came to dinner; on the menu (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage) [on verso:] Rudolph Burckhardt, Photographer, to MWP, 20 June – invoice for taking photographs; on making enlargements; is leaving town so could not do the work until Sept. (tp. with autogr. note)
/57 WBF to MWP, 26 June – thanks her for writing so frequently; it has been wonderful to get letters nearly every day, even if they are not always cheerful; she must always tell him the truth about herself; is sorry about the interval between his last two letters; he has been busy[?]; on her writing about killing herself; discusses financial matters; looks forward to many more years of their love; is flying to Paris next Friday; encloses an article. 4 pages (autogr.; much illegible)
/58 MWP to WBF, 29 June – hopes he gets this letter before he flies to Dakar; on her health; she misses Stevie; she does want to live now; is going to Kathy’s on 2 July; on a Bryn Mawr classmate; on the weather (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/7/59 WBF to MWP, 5 July 1965 – did not get a letter from her for several days before leaving London; is having a fine time [in Dakar]; is getting down to brass tacks with the Senegalese organisers of the Festival; on a broken tooth; on getting Kenneth Murray to Paris to discuss loans from Nigeria; it seemed likely that the Nigerian museums would lend nothing; as a result of his intervention Georges-Henri has convinced Kenneth; he has agreed a list of pieces which he shall recommend Adrian and the Trustees to lend; among about 25 pieces which have been asked for are included four of her pieces; itemises these; he will be accompanying the pieces and he alone will handle them; has satisfied himself about the conditions in the fine new museum which will house the show; trusts that she will acquiesce in the loan of these four pieces; he flew down with John Eppstein and they have been given a fine time by President Senghor, the British Ambassador and the Dakar Committee of the Festival; on some social engagements; the Festival may be a shambles but will be enjoyable; hopes to get her here; has recommended her as one of the American members of the Colloque; he will have to give a speech at the Assemblée Nationale next Apr. 6 pages (autogr.)
/60 MWP to WBF, 8 July – she writes more often when she is distressed; one-sided correspondence is little good to her; she can live on a letter every two weeks; three weeks is too long; on her trip to Kathy’s. 4 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/61 Daniel [Biebuyck] to MWP, 11 July – refers to her last letter; refers to meeting in New York; on his work; refers to the Dakar colloque; his family are all well. 3 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/62 MWP to WBF, 12 July – on typing the letter; refers to his letter from the Grand Hotel de N’Gor [/7/59]; has neglected writing for the reasons given in her last letter; lists some of these; on her health; if he has to eat slowly [because of his broken tooth] perhaps he will eat less and regain a good figure; would like to come to Dakar; Kohler is taking her to dinner on Wednesday; he will be delighted to rephotograph the BM weights; on a friend of George Allen’s who is interested in goldweights; mentions Louise Hill’s first cousin; if she is to do Discovering Art she must have back the handwritten pieces; no copies exist (tp. and autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/7/63 Ibid., 13 July 1965 – asks the name of the Czech who runs the museum at Duke[?]; mentions Dakar; asks about the dates of the Dakar Festival; discusses Kat[?]; mentions Brazil; feels pretty well but cannot get any writing done; on her plans for the day; must have the goldweight manuscript tomorrow; it is ready for Kohler except for the captions (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/64 Ibid., ibid. – he has a fine mind but is disorganized; on Baule weights and Ashanti; says he should be more self-critical and more thoughtful of others; he should have married years ago; she feels guilty but life without him would be meaningless (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/65 Ibid., 15 July – on the death of Adlai Stevenson; on the tribute by the Nigerian Ambassador; on two books – an anthology edited by James Gibbs, and ‘Black Eros’; on a friend of hers who wanted to see the Plass collection at the BM; he ought to label the collections and get them dusted now and again; it gives her the horrors to think of the Ethnographic Galleries; mentions John Canaday’s piece on the Benin show [/12/61]; on a piece in the Times; hoped to get some work done on the book today; on dinner with Kohler; discusses Kohler; sends Daniel’s latest [not held]; wishes she were twins[?]; daily tasks crowd her days; hopes to go to Washington to see David this weekend (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/66 WBF to MWP, 16 July – is having difficulty with the Introduction of the Hazan book; has looked at her sample pages for DA [Discovering Art]; thinks them excellent; makes some minor points; asks if the French issues which he sent reached her yet; what she has done is admirable for the purpose; Elwes should be delighted; advises her not to stop work on the goldweight book; R & KP [Routledge & Kegan Paul] are probably eagerly awaiting completion of the book; mentions Chaim; on the photographs for the book; discusses her health; discusses his weight; on the food in Dakar; discusses a typical gold dust box; does not know how he can get David an invitation to Dakar. 3 pages (autogr.)
/7/67 Ibid., 23 July 1965 – has just arrived at Aviemore to spend three days with the Utsis and the reindeer; has been under pressure for 12 years to come up; has been working on the French translation of his book; had been going to bed at 4 or 5 a.m. for more than a week; on the introduction to the Hazan book; on the question of orthography; he had to write a Note on Orthography [see MS 499 passim and particularly MS 499/13/8] to go at the beginning of both editions; on Hazan saying that he [WBF] was always right [see MS 499/12/248]; on the catalogue of a Moore-Bacon show at the New London Gallery; on Henry’s work; on Robert Goldwater; John Davis is vice-Chairman of the American delegation; discusses other matters concerning the Dakar colloque (autogr.)
/68 MWP to WBF, 25 July – is on her way to Cleveland (autogr. pc with autogr. note by David [Crownover])
/69 Ibid., 28 July – is feeling fine but is not doing any work on African Art; has so many other things to do; Sturgis has invited himself to lunch today; he is interested in seeing a bronze in Henry’s latest catalogue; on the Dakar colloque; does not know where to reach John Davis; she resigned from AMSAC; she thought he had suggested her along with Biebuyck and Phil Dark; Kat Merkel wants to join her and David; on the route; Kat never met David before this weekend; he was a great hit in Cleveland (autogr. with autogr. notes by WBF; some illegible due to water damage)
/70 WBF to MWP, 8 Aug. – was intending to write a proper letter but it will have to be written later; on his time chasing reindeer in the Cairngorms; got nearly 100 pictures; on the Time piece on Benin (autogr.)
/71 MWP to WBF, 9 Aug. – he has sent no word since he went to Invernessshire; refers to her birthday; on going out with Francis; mention Freddy; has heard from John Davis; the hitch is in accommodation in Dakar (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/7/72 WBF to MWP, 10 Aug. 1965 – on the communications gap since his letter from the Cairngorms [/7/67]; embarked on research in her last dozen letters, noting everything which called for comment; remarks how well she writes; makes a few points about Dakar; on the dates; on his own travel arrangements for Dakar; if she pays her own way there is no need for an invitation; he is hoping that she may be invited to be one of the 30 members of the colloque; he was asked to nominate about 40 suitable people; Robert Goldwater is chairman of the traditional art sub-committee of the American committee; on accommodation; he has an invitation to stay with the Ambassador John Peck; suggests she consults Joe and Louise; she might pull strings with Mercer Cook; had a visit from the Fetters; on an article by Dennis Higgins; mentions Canaday (autogr.)
/73 Ibid., 11-14 Aug. – has just posted the letter dated yesterday; there are still many subjects on his list so he is starting another letter; on sending money to Parke-Bernet for the bronzes; on a leopard mask which he has sold to BEBF for the Pitt Rivers Museum; on her receiving two other pieces on his behalf; on her birthday; to him she is without age; hopes that she is well; her letters have been few; hopes she will try to get some regular writing done; discusses being a writer; refers to her letter of 9 Aug. [/7/71]; on the recent deterioration of the mails; a letter from her on the doormat makes his heart leap; discusses William Francis; will try to write to Father Mveng suggesting that she do a paper on goldweights; suggests a title (autogr.)
/74 MWP to WBF, 18 Aug. – has finished the goldweights book; on people she has read it to; everyone but her thinks it is great; has done no captions; on her work for DA; this morning she forgot to meet Phil Locke (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/75 Ibid., 19 Aug. [as per postmark] – had this [on verso] Xeroxed for his comment; Bill S. feels that her identification with Webster is bad for her; as she cannot talk about WBF all the time she talks about Webster; on her name; on going to see Mabel; some of his pictures are on the wall; on people coming tonight; on her birthday [autogr.; some water damage); [on verso:] certificate from the Society for the Recognition & Preservation of Historical Social Catalysts marking MWP’s 70th birthday (Xerox)
/76 MWP to WBF, 19 Aug. [as per postmark] – refers to two of his letters; Nick Zervas will be in London 29 Aug.-2 Sept. 2 leaves [including envelope] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/7/76.1 Kat Merkel to [MWP], nd – has not heard from WBF which saddens her; asks her not to drop off the edge of the world (autogr. cutting) [enclosed with /7/76]
/77 WBF to MWP, 20 Aug. – bemoans the lack of her letters; encloses the manuscript of ‘Tribes and Forms’; the main subject in her letters which he has not dealt with is the matter of BM publications; still hopes to write his Gulbenkian handbook on Benin art history, to be called ‘Benin Baroque’; believes that there is a real function for an expanded Plass catalogue; would be in favour of a book like the Musée de l’Homme one, consisting of ‘plums’ from the Department presented as art; had a letter from Kat earlier this month [probably MS 499/12/260] (autogr.)
/78 MWP to WBF, 24 Aug. – the introduction is excellent and the preface gracious and dignified; on Sturgis coming to lunch; has not had a minute to write to David Nash; would have sent the bronzes by Nick; hopes that Kegan Paul’s Colin Franklin was pleased to hear that Praeger would handle the goldweight book; on Warren’s book; on objects she has sent to Warren; on the Benin show; on Malvina’s autobiography; is glad to be getting letters from him again; it makes an enormous difference in her life, health and happiness (autogr.; some water damage)
/79 Ibid., 31 Aug. [as per postmark] – a week has elapsed since she heard from him; asks him to keep in touch; she needs to hear from him; Daniel has not been invited to Dakar either; has an idea that Robert is controlling the invitation business; on Bill Kohler, who wants her made curator of the African collections at the UM; Sturgis is lunching with her again; on flattering attention from various men; her frustrations about having no children makes her happy to be with youngsters; on her appearance; Sturgis says she feeds half of Philadelphia and is wonderful; on dressing from the Jewish Thrift store; asks him to drop her a line; feels deserted by Kegan Paul; refers to the Praeger letter; on Bill K. who has a horrid crush on her. 3 pages (autogr.; some water damage) [on verso:] Sister M. Sarah to MWP, 25 Aug. – on her birthday; asks if they can hear her on the subject of African Sculpture; on dates; on arrangements (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/7/80 MWP to WBF, 2 Sept. 1965 [as per postmark] – supposes she is wasting time in referring this question to him; supposes he would write to Warren Robbins; when she does not get answers to question she is upset; he will knock her into depression; it is particularly important for her to know if he contacted K-P about Praeger’s letter; Sturgis’ question [on verso] needs an answer; three minutes’ worth of writing twice a week would satisfy her; Dan wants her at UCLA but has not heard from Dakar; recounts what Thalia had said about him; supposes Nick has been to see him this week; asks him to write. 2 leaves (autogr.; some water damage) [on verso:] R. Sturgis Ingersoll to MWP, 1 Sept. – on comparing his Hornblower with the Hornblower in WBF’s book; they seem identical; ask if a replica could be made from the same mould (tp.); [on verso:] Warren Robbins, Museum of African Art, on a trip to Europe; on two sessions with WBF at the BM; on the tie-in between African sculpture and modern art in the essay; is sure she will not be dissatisfied with the final product; is trying to select as many pieces as possible which have not yet been published; thanks her for sending the pictures; cooperation from museums and collectors has been fine; has a substantial amount of material (tp.)
/81 MWP to WBF, 6 Sept. – his last letter was dated 20 Aug.; it is too long; it took 3 months to get an answer about the BM publications; by that time it was too late; mentions the Praeger letter; if Kegan Paul are not interested she would like him to approach Lund Humphries; is disappointed not to get pictures of the BM goldweights; will not finance Kohler to go there to take them; Nick is back; relates what WBF told Nick about MWP; he said WBF loved her but loved his mother more; he is about to send WBF $1000 to buy the beginnings of an African art collection; asks him to write (autogr.)
/7/82 Ibid., 7 Sept. 1965 – was joking in her yesterday’s letter but is still upset over not having replies to her questions; repeats some of these[?]; on Eddie Praeger; the girls left last night after a crowded weekend; Ruth would be a lovely girl for him but she is an Episcopalian; he is not 36 any more; is on the verge of a depression; Brother Patrick has written asking her to join them for a seminar on the subject of African sculpture; would like to postpone it until he comes and do it with him; he has given no idea of his UCLA plans; suggests he write to Daniel and Altman explaining the urgency of making plans; on going to London and Paris with Bill and David; has no specific dates for UCLA but is only a small part of the programme; Kat is also going; they will room together; Kat has just bought a horrid Easter Island figure; on making […?] so happy and well adjusted; WBF has grown away from her; she is floundering without an anchor (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/83 WBF to MWP, 10 Sept. – asks her to forgive him for a three-week gap between letters; two things apart from pressure of work held him back from writing; discusses these two things in detail (autogr.)
/84 MWP to WBF, 11 Sept. – on a fall she had rehanging curtains; on her injuries; on a depression; on a review of their book in Bryn Mawr Review; mentions Sister Sarah; on the possibility of his coming over; alludes to him being in love with someone else; he needs discipline and order in his life; he is wasting his genius (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/85 WBF to MWP, 12 Sept. – on hearing her voice; assures her he loves her as much as ever; if she is depressed because she has not heard from him it will be a short depression; discusses his ‘treachery’; goes over what he said to Nick; finds little correspondence between the hours he spent with Nick and what Nick said that WBF said about her; refutes other statements attributed to him, one concerning Webster; cannot decide whether she or Nick has jumped to wrong conclusions; Nick told him her trouble was that she did not want to grow old; believes this is an oversimplified estimate; discusses her book in detail; has made friends with the Lehmans (autogr.)
/7/86 MWP to WBF, [15 Sept.; misdated 22 Sept.] 1965 – both his letters came; letter-writing should come easily to him; his letters are ready for publication without editing; does get hurt when she thinks he is neglecting her; her backside is hurting from when she fell; Nick is wrong about her minding her age; people her age depress her; on her young friends; discusses Freddie; Nick thinks she needs a man in her life; on having a WBF as her lover; on other men in her life; alludes to her relationship with Webster; on the first time she took Webster to the BM; thinks she already loved WBF; he is exactly right for her except in weight; hopes her backside is better if he is coming over this autumn; she feels his mother’s antagonism; on Colin Franklin and Praeger; Elwes wired her about Discovering Art; asks him to ring him about the deadline; was half-joking in calling him treacherous; thinks she and David will be in Paris at Christmas. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/87 Ibid., 16 Sept. – on misdating a letter [/7/86] 22 Sept.; is taking Robbins’ assistant Simmons to lunch; mentions John Davis; on her book[?]; is furious at Franklin for suggesting a subsidy (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/88 Sister Sarah to MWP, 16 Sept. – the Sisters enjoyed her talk; Mother Miriam is leaving for Ghana tomorrow; will carry a report of MWP’s evaluation of their carvings and goldweights; is glad she likes ‘Women Before God’; discusses some of the Sisters; would like her to have an article; wants to keep in touch but is overawed by her busyness; on a note from Lib[?]; thanks her in advance for Expeditions (tp. with autogr. PS)
/89 MWP to WBF, 17 Sept. [as per postmark; wrongly dated 17 July] – this is the last letter she will write for two or three days; is preparing for Francises and Digbys; Mortimer is coming on 21 [Sept.] to meet Frank; on the marriage of Nick and Thalia; Nick wants to get started soon on his African collection; she suggested he send WBF his $3,000 worth of KLM shares; she also must finish up the D.A. pieces; on her headaches; he has not told her his plans for Cal[ifornia]; would like him here for three or four days before going to Kat’s for the weekend; is distressed that Franklin does not want her book; is not going to do more writing after finishing DA; is going to stick to cooking; is about to be made curator of the African Gallery at the UM; does not like the two P-B Benin pieces at all; asks about the Lehmanns (autogr.)
/7/90 WBF to MWP, 18 Sept. 1965 – hopes she feels better, having received his two letters; is concerned at her suggestion that a three-week silence on his part coul induce depression in her; she has endured longer silences without supposing that he had fallen in love with someone else; they have loved each other for 19 years; she does not realise how gifted she is, enjoying the benefits of old age along with perennial youth; on the Commonwealth Festival, which is in full swing; on conversations with Prince Philip, who opened the exhibition of ‘Treasures of the Commonwealth’; he [WBF] posted her a catalogue; most of the mounting of objects was done by Gowers and Lee; discusses Frank and Adrian and a struggle about Easter Island stone figures in the museum; suggests she raise the matter in conversation, without mentioning him; hopes she will be the life and soul of the ICOM party; has already written to her as much as he knows about the trip to LA; gives some provisional dates; on places he might lecture (autogr.)
/91 MWP to WBF, 19 Sept. [as per postmark] – did not think she would have time to write; Brother Patrick and Brother Fidelian have asked her to do a seminar on 2 Nov.; tells him what she plans to talk about; Kat is in a tizzy about having no dates for the California do; asks him to give her some idea of when he will be in the States; he must have some idea of when he is going to Cal[ifornia] and Philadelphia; Kat wants to spend about four days in UCLA, then go to San Francisco; Kitty Francis rang her, as did Adrian; it is too bad about his wife; Mortimer is going to give Frank $5,000 in shares; describes what the fund is for; Freddie is back from Mexico; she is buying a Besler or a Spot-O-Matic; on him not giving her anything for her birthday; she always gives him the New Yorker (autogr.)
/7/92 WBF to MWP, 19 Sept. 1965 – he took his mother to the Great Dance Gala at the Albert Hall, one of the chief events of the Commonwealth Arts Festival; discusses the show; Hugh Elwes rang to ask if she was at the Barclay, as he had been unable to get any reply from her; he told Elwes he was sure she would deliver on time; Elwes wants the texts by Oct.; suggests she might send two copies to him, which he could amend and pass on to Elwes; on the Tellem; suggest some points she could make; refers to Nick sending him $1,000 to buy African art; he had said he could make a good collection from the London dealers alone; this was not meant as an invitation; Nick will not learn to collect by letting WBF do it for him; would gladly go with him; gives the answer to Sturgis’ question; she is mistaken about thinking she asked him to get Gowers to do anything to the goldweight ‘family tree’; discusses what happened; asks about a ‘Vienna idea’ being impractical (autogr.)
/93 Ibid., 21 Sept. – quotes German verse; has just got John Taylor of Lund Humphries interested in publishing her book; describes how it happened; alludes to the proposed entry of ‘Nigerian Images’ for the Dakar prize for the best work on African art; Taylor is indignant with Praeger about remaindering ‘Nigerian Images’; discusses this in detail; discusses negotiations about her goldweight book; asks her to stop the nonsense that she will not write anymore; refers to some of her letters; asks her not to let Nick send him shares (autogr.)
/94 MWP to WBF, 21 Sept. – on having four hours sleep; Adrian left yesterday; the Francises are leaving today; refers to the Egyptian Gallery; on a lunch she had with Fro and others; on a reception; discusses her hospitality towards Adrian and the Francises; on a dinner at the PMA; on their activities the next day; she brought up the subject of the E[aster] I[sland] figure; relates some of the discussion they had about the subject; relates many details about the social events associated with the visit of the Francises and Adrian; Frank adored her weights; she told him they belonged to the museum; they both think the Plass pieces should not be loaned abroad; Dakar is an exception; is sure the whole affair will be a shambles; on her travel plans in Africa with Kat; asks the date of his lecture. 4 pages (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/7/95 Ibid., 22 Sept. 1965 – encloses letter from Sister Sarah [/7/88]; Frank and Kitty left today, bringing the bronzes from Parke Bernet; mentions Adrian making a fuss; asks why Adrian went to Mexico; she is getting $150 for the La Salle job; asks the nationality of Hugues Varine-Bohan; is going to Washington; thanks him for the Commonwealth Art Catalogue (autogr.) [on verso:] Brother Felician Patrick, La Salle College, to MWP, 18 Sept. – this note will serve as a memo; she consented to spend 2 Nov. on their campus; she will be collected at 2.15; on the programme; thanks her again for her reception of Brother Fidelian and himself (tp.)
/96 WBF to MWP, 25 Sept. – received the second part only of her letter of 21 Sept.; on other letters he has received; these letters contain hardly any reference to his own numerous letters; he wondered how often he would have to write the details of the California trip; he also imparted the information to Kat; on confusion about the dates of their visit to Kat; hopes they get on the same wavelength soon; is looking forward to the earlier part of her report on Frank, Adrian et al.; is sorry that BEBF did not contact her; he had said he would; would love to go with her and Kat to Africa; Bob Thompson said Kubler would be glad to give him a lecture; on an evening with Robin Lehman, whose wife just had a baby boy; they may be able to meet in New York or Philadelphia; knows the two Benin pieces well; they are worth the money; refers to the P.R. bronzes (autogr.; some water damage)
/97 MWP to WBF, 28 Sept. – on travel arrangements[?]; refers to her Washington weekend; on being made curator of the African Galleries at the UM; on their trip to Africa; on her giving a goldweight lecture; asks him to confirm dates; mentions George Allen (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/98 Ibid., 30 Sept. – on writing to Colin Franklin; will send him [WBF] the first part of her goldweight manuscript; on Margret’s classification of the geometrics [see MS 499/16/18]; has plenty of pictures; mentions George; is so glad he will go to Lagos etc. with her and Kat; on staying at the Hills (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/7/99 WBF to MWP, 3 Oct. 1965 – is glad they are in full communication again although the posts are erratic; on letters he has received; thinks he can fit in with what she proposes regarding travel dates; on moving into his new office; is sorting out old papers; has received from Hazan the first advance copy of ‘Tribes and Forms’; it is a fine production job; he will send her a copy as a birthday present; she may get a call from Brigitte Menzel who is going to the States; she is working on a catalogue of the goldweights in Berlin; he told her to call on David who might be able to arrange for her to meet MWP; on wanting further copies of ‘Nigerian Images’ (autogr.)
/100 MWP to WBF, 4 Oct. – [almost illegible due to water damage] (autogr.)
/101 MWP to WBF, 6 Oct. – on flight dates and arrangements; on the Hazan book; George has ordered 25 of the remaindered ‘Nigerian Images’; she looks forward to meeting Brigitte Menzel; will introduce her to Bill Kohler; is sure ‘Nigerian Images’ will win [the book prize at Dakar]; Hugh Elwes called her about the text for Discovering Art; Freddie Schwarz is doing her typing; Kat wrote about dates for their visit; on meeting Biebuyck for Thanksgiving; she asked him [Biebuyck] about inexpensive housing; has not heard from Bob about dates; asks if he has any Dakar information, especially about her giving a talk; most of the American museums have refused to loan to Dakar; on items which she will not allow to go; lists those institutions which have refused to cooperate; the MPA is loaning lots of stuff; Frank F. is not in favour of loaning unless WBF stays with the material (autogr.)
/102 Colin Franklin, Routledge & Kegan Paul, to MWP, 7 Oct. – is disappointed about the delay he caused in the publication of her book on Ashanti goldweights; hopes Kegan Paul sells thousands of copies (tp. with autogr. note from MWP to WBF – on Sowers writing him a letter; on Roy Sieber staying with her)
/103 MWP to WBF, 8 Oct. – on writing ‘Darling Angel’ instead of ‘William Fagg Esq.’ on an air letter; on mailing the text for Discovering Art to Hugh Elwes; Arnold Newman is in Philadalphia; he asked her to dine but she is having the Nahms from Bryn Mawr; Hugh told her she could hand write the D.A. piees; is getting flu shots; is feeling pretty well; she attributes this to regular letters from him; when she does not hear from him she thinks he has died; has had no word from Brigitte Menzel; on what she is having for dinner; she would rather cook than write; hopes the D.A. pieces pass the Fagg test (autogr.)
/7/104 Ibid., 11 Oct. [as per postmark] 1965 – on the curry supper last night; on people who came; on having a very busy time with social engagements; posted Franklin’s note to her [/7/102]; on more visitors; will not get any D.A. done; asks him to contact the man at Lund Humphries about the manuscript of the goldweight book; Newman said Praeger was ‘off his head’; Dr Nahm appreciates their book; asks him to pay an invoice from Routledge & Kegan Paul [on verso]. 3 pages (autogr.; water damaged)
/105 Ibid., 14 Oct. – hopes he has bought his return ticket for America; on their respective travel arrangements; wishes he could make her Dolphin Square reservation; on hotels nearer to the museum; a letter from Dan B. gives lots of dates; goes through more travel arrangements; on her giving a lecture on goldweights at UCLA; Roy and Bob will be staying with her for the African Studies Association meetings; discusses Mrs Innes-Brown; asks if he has heard if she can give a paper [at Dakar?]; over 300 Negro-American jazz musicians and dancers are going; three issues of Discovering Art are finished (autogr.; some water damage)
/106 WBF to MWP, 15 Oct. – on the time since he last wrote; on a letter from Nick who offered to provide him with a bike in Philadelphia; on a Kegan Paul bill; imagines that John Taylor will meet Praeger at the Frankfurt Book Fair; would not advise her to send the manuscript direct to Taylor; on the use of geometrics being older than that of figure weights; on Margret’s classification [see MS 499/16/18]; Peggy Appiah was in to see him the other day; Brigitte was there; refers to MWP’s possible lecture on goldweights at Dakar; gives her some ideas for study; has had their paperback put in for the Dakar competition; ‘Nigerian Images’ and ‘Tribes and Forms’ will be in for it too; should be best pleased if the paperback won; they have to provide photographs and biographical information; is sorry that American museums are refusing to lend to Dakar; has not been asked to lend her Lower Niger head; only a month until they meet (autogr.)
/107 MWP to ‘my darling child’, 20 Oct. [1965] – it is her 47th wedding anniversary; on waking early; describes what she has been doing that morning; Mortimer forgot her 70th birthday; on her new camera; has taken shots of her two latest acquisitions; describes these [with drawings]; mentions the Medical Mission Sisters (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/7/108 MWP to WBF, 21 Oct. 1965 – wants him to see that Hugh Elwes is not mad at her [referring to letter on verso]; mentions Maurice Lavanoux; Brigitte was here yesterday; on Siroto; awaits a letter from him confirming dates; thinks Brigitte would make him a fine wife; discusses her (autogr.; water damaged) [on verso:] Hugh [Elwes] to MWP, 12 Oct. – thanks her for her letter [not held] and the copy of the next issue; has opened a subscription to Mr Newlin; looks forward to having dinner on 3 Jan. (tp.)
/109 MWP to WBF, 22 Oct. – (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage)
/110 [Roy Sieber] to WBF, 27 Oct. – he is writing under MWP’s supervision; she read to him the labels for the Benin show; the goldweight introduction seems very good indeed; he tried to photograph the two Ashanti figures with MWP’s new camera; the pieces are great; refers to MWP’s talk at La Salle; she might overstate the contribution to African art studies of WBF; MWP is nagging about his haircut and clothing; thanks him for his letter [not held]; on people who were there last night; on Freddie Schwarz; ASA meetings begin tomorrow (autogr. with autogr. note by MWP)
/111 MWP to WBF, 28 Oct. – is having eight people for curry tonight; lists them; [note added from Bob Thompson: – he thought he came across a copy of the Akan piece MWP has at Tshetti; it was said to be an ibeji; discusses Tshetti sculpture]; she wishes he was here now; discusses his visit[?] (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/112 Ibid., 29 Oct. – on having seven people to dinner; mentions Daryll Forde; her food was superb; mentions Roy; on her physical tiredness (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/113 Ibid., 30 Oct. – the Africanists have folded their tents; refers to her talk at La Salle; Roy and Bob instilled her with confidence in her talent for teaching so she is not nervous; on hosting three dinners for eight people in succession; discusses Bob in detail; alludes to the birth of his daughter; refers to his cat; went to a farmers’ market with Mrs Allen; discusses two or three ugly figures in the BM from Ghana (autogr.)
/114 Ibid., 5 Nov. – on her seminar at La Salle; she adores the Christian Brothers; she got a standing ovation; it is all on account of Father Rooney; has still not finished Discovering Art; asks if they have sent it to him yet; ‘Little Stevie’ is doing well; Freddie is coming for dinner (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/7/115 Ibid., 8 Nov. 1965 – was in New York on Saturday; gives him some addresses; on travel arrangements; she loves Bob and Nancy; is beginning to love Roy; David is going to get her the African abstracts thing; Bob Thompson is nuts about the book and will review it for the Saturday Review of Literature[?]; on engagements during his visit; Sturgis wants a date with him (autogr.; some water damage)
/116 Ibid., 23 Dec. – on checking over Charles’ photographs; asked him to send the prints to WBF; discusses Easter; asks him to stock her kitchen at Dolphin Square on 8 [Jan.?]; gives a list of items; on sharing expenses in Paris; wrote to Bob Sowers that they would lunch with him; he seems excited about the goldweight book; on a second edition; is dining with Jim Elson; will do TV shows when the second edition is out; mentions the time their plane arrives; it would be nice if he were in the flat when she arrives; asks him to get reading material[?] for her (autogr.; some water damage)
/8 1966 Margaret Plass Papers
1 MWP to WBF, post-11 Jan. 1966 – this [note on verso] came with 20 colour slides of the Benin show; is going to Hazard’s tomorrow for a party; mentions the Nigerian situation; they could fly just to Dakar and the Cameroon Grasslands; feels almost well (autogr.); [on verso:] P[atrick Hazard] to MWP, 11 Jan. – on the slides[?]; her wish is commendable (autogr.)
/2 MWP to WBF, 13 Jan. – thanks him for a wonderful holiday; was taken to customs in a wheel chair; on her health; has had no cheque from Discovering Art; discusses two figures; includes a drawing; mentions Hugh Elwes (autogr.)
/3 Ibid., 31 Jan. – is very busy; on reservations in Dakar; mentions Kat; on flight arrangements; on her friend Audrey Moffley and her nephew Charles Moffley who are in the grasslands; on Anspach; asks him what day he is speaking [at Dakar?]; their pieces have been shipped; her friend Farris Bell Arnold has just returned from eight months in Africa; mentions BEBF; asks after Murray; mentions Mercer Cook; on lectures she is giving[?]; discusses Allen; on the weather; on going out to supper; on leaving him money when she dies; has labelled all the BM pieces; is feeling well; on social engagements. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/4 The Bulletin, nd – ‘Passion for Status Among Chief Factors in Nigerian Upheaval’ (newspaper cutting)
/8/5 John Canaday, ‘How to Succeed by Fraud’. 2 leaves (newspaper cutting)
/6 MWP to WBF, 1 Feb. – has only had one note from him since she returned; feels cooped up; asks him to tell Hugh Elwes that the cheque has not arrived; they are irresponsible about money; they are all in a stew about the Festival; has not heard from the Hills; Allen Davis wants to know about publications on Soviet-African relations; would be glad to have any slides; is swamped with work; mentions her gall bladder; has not written to the Chancellor of UCLA; asks him to write with any news of the Festival; mentions Kat; on the dates she will stay in Dakar (autogr.; some water damage)
/7 Jehanne [Teilhet] to MWP, 4 Feb. – trusts she had a marvellous trip abroad; hopes she will return to California; finds it difficult to express her gratitude; would consider it a privilege to work under her at the UM, provided that she has procured her MA; regardless, she would like to visit (autogr.)
/8 MWP to WBF, 6 Feb. – has only had one note since she got home; has been in hospital; on some flowers from Robinski; asks for their London address; on making arrangements for Africa and the colloque; discusses dates and engagements; on Audrey Moffley (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/9 WBF to MWP, 7 Feb. – on receiving letter from her; on treatment[?]; asks her to give him a full description; looking at her letters the first symptom of depression occurred in that of 12 Oct.; is glad she is coming at Easter; on money (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/8/10 MWP to WBF, 8 Feb. 1966 – quotes from a letter from Audrey Moffley; she is arriving in Dakar on 3 Apr.; has replied to Diop; on her health; has a depressed view of the African trip; on going to the grasslands; on Allen Davis; on wall paintings; on going to Haverford to hear David Watkin[?]; on his views; on travelling in Cameroons; Allen recommends the trip; she is scared about spending too much money; mentions Ironsi; on people she should write to; she spends so much time writing to WBF knowing she will get no response; this puts her in a bad mood; discusses Freddie’s family situation; everyone comes to her with their problems; on the colloque; thinks she ought to cancel; David does not want to go; if he does not write soon she will go off her head; refers to two lectures she is giving; on Kat; her friend Dorothy White is coming to the BM on 24 Feb.; would like him to talk to her, take her to lunch and show her the African galleries; he met her at Betty’s. 4 pages (autogr.)
/11 Ibid., 9 Feb. – there is still no word from him; pretty soon he will be in Africa; wrote to Mercer Cook and asked him to have his man in the Embassy check Kat’s, David’s and her reservations in Dakar; the State Department recommends that Americans stay away from Nigeria; thinks they are mad to come to Dakar just for the pleasure of seeing WBF; Kat wants to stay in Dakar as short a time as possible and to travel in West Africa; Kat is happy to go without her; if she [MWP] thought more highly of anyone to do with the colloque she would be more cheerful; if her health were better she would be more cheerful; asks him to write (autogr.)
/12 Ibid., 10 Feb. – she cannot bear bombarding him with daily letters but feels she must keep in contact; on her health; on the difficulties of getting a visa for Nigeria; thinks they must cut out Nigeria; the Cameroons trip does not sound worthwhile; hates to think of being sick in the grasslands; suggests coming to see the show in Paris; is anti-Africa at the moment; thinks he is wasting his valuable brain trying to make them interested in their tribal art; everyone thinks it is unwise for her to make such a long trip at this moment of Africa’s history; mentions Kat and Gebauer; if he [WBF] tells her to come, she will come but is unhappy to have no time to rest; has accepted Diop’s invitation and sent him the goldweight paper; asks him to let her come to Paris and London in May (autogr.; some water damage)
/8/13 WBF to MWP, 11 Feb. 1966 – is sorry to have written so little in the past month; has never been so hard pressed; is trying to finish his last issue of Man which will be nearly four months late; has not been able to get to the text of his RSA lecture; has frequent reminders from Paris about his Dakar address; was sorry to hear she had been in hospital; does not understand why she writes so hysterically about the Festival; he probably told her a year ago it would be like this; uncertainty is the essence of the enjoyment of the trip; is fed up with the need of some of his American colleagues to be nursemaided; they are in danger of being left out of an international meeting on Negro art; on travelling[?]; her sources are misinforming her about the situation in Nigeria; on BEBF; gives her the Lehmans’ address (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/14 MWP to WBF, 12 Feb. – this is another long letter; on Bill Sharpe, who goes to London in Apr.; she needs him for advice about young Stevie but not otherwise; wishes he [WBF] would come up with some plan for the Africa trip; no one she knows wants to come to Dakar; David is willing because he is fond of her; refers to the ridiculous prospectus of the Festival; a piece in the New York Times outlines AMSAC’s activities from 8 Apr. on; lists the performers; they all adore the négritude concept; on Dakar; asks what there is for them in going there; mentions seeing the exhibition in Paris; on her duties and responsibilities at home; her work at Bryn Mawr is pressing; three weeks away makes her feel guilty; on Freddie Schwarz; her lawyer is trying to draw up her new will; on the Webster Plass Fund; on her health; is trying not to be too dependent on him; encloses a letter from Jehanne Teilhet [/8/7]; on Freddie’s problems; on David; asks about going to Jos; quotes a poem by Dorothy Parker; she is not depressed, is just fed up with everything. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/15 Louise [Hill] to MWP, ibid. – has arranged for her rooms in Dakar; they hope to arrive on the same day but may be a day late; would not want to miss the address of WBF; on her travels; Joe has worked out the itinerary; asks which American Negro artists plan to perform; is keen to see the pieces WBF is bringing from the Museum; on the situation in Nigeria; Balewa was washed away in the storm; mentions Major Ironsi; on a snowstorm; will write again shortly. 3 pages (autogr. with autogr. additions by MWP – is also worried about other African countries; asks him to tell the Director that she has cancelled her plans because of her health; has written to the Hills and cancelled plans with them (autogr.)
/8/16 MWP to WBF, 13 Feb. 1966 – did not feel well enough to go to Pearlie Mae’s for dinner; on the weather; feels awful and sad; on the shots she must have for West Africa; there has been no word from Kat; no word from him except one note since she reached home on 12 Jan.; has not been able to thank the Lehmans for the flowers; Freddie’s ex-wife has to be committed; has let the plans for Africa go on as before; mentions Kat; David can only stay three days; many Americans are going to the Festival; has written to Frank F. about the Webster Plass Fund; on money she has given away; she has to make a new will; Frank and Mortimer will be the custodians of the Webster Plass Fund (autogr.)
/17 Ibid., 14 Feb. – on a letter from Joe Hill enclosing a tentative schedule; outlines the itinerary; she looks forward to the entire trip with fear and horror; since he wants her to do it, she will; on liaising with Kat and Audrey; on the grasslands part of the trip; Kat is against Lagos; Kat says the museum can be seen in two hours; since the exhibition from Dakar opens in Paris on 1 May, she suggests a trip to London and Paris; on dates; David is coming to lunch; wishes WBF would keep in touch with her (autogr.)
/18 Ibid., ibid. – know what she has written will upset him; mentions bad hotels and physical dirt; he will not have time for her; does not want to use a big hunk of money; feels she is on the brink of a breakdown; quotes from a letter from Joe concerning Nigeria’s participation in the Festival; she appreciates how busy he is; his notes calm her; feels she is going mad; a man named Taylor wants to collect for her among the Makishi; on her own activities; there is no cheque from Elwes; on giving money to the BM for the Webster Plass Fund; will telephone him if she does not hear from him (autogr.)
/8/19 Ibid., 15 Feb. 1966 – has been busy since 6.30 a.m.; on Dorothy White; Dickie Davis and Phyllis are dropping in for a drink; on a Japanese exhibition; refers to two letters from him; will come if he insists; no one got the notices about the colloquium before it was postponed; the English universities are not sending good men, only him; on travel arrangements and options; she does not care about Africa; she cares about him; does not see how going to Dakar will help; on Pat Hazard who wants to make a documentary out of the colloque; Joe got his invitation from Diop; asks if there is anything she and Kat can do for the 10 days they will be there [in Dakar]; on her health; wishes he would release from the obligation of going [to Dakar]; the idea of going off with Kat and Audrey without him does not appeal (autogr.; some water damage)
/20 Ibid., 16 Feb. – on the money from Elwes; encloses a leader from the Journal; on her habit of worrying; David told her she need not make up her mind about Dakar until 1 Mar.; the way he has planned the trip she would be a millstone round his neck; on Kat; on setting up the Webster Plass Fund to help employees of the BM; David will fly with her if she has to come; asks what congresses accomplish; is sure that Nigeria will survive; thanks him for the Lehmans’ address; he is too busy to be troubled with her plans; thinks that her suggestion that she and Kat come to see the exhibition in Paris is sensible; quotes from a letter from Fred Duerr; knows she depends on him [WBF] too much; is in a clumsy stage; he is too good to too many people (tp. with autogr. addition)
/21 Wall Street Journal, 15 Feb. – ‘Carnival of Diplomats’ (newspaper cutting with autogr. note by MWP) [enclosed with /8/20]
/22 WBF to MWP, 17 Feb. – refers to two letters which she should have received; the Trustees have approved his going to Nigeria and Cameroons; hopes she will come to Dakar and the Cameroons; mentions the hospitals there; on things to see there; is sure that her information about conditions in Nigeria is baseless but thinks they should skip it in order to see the Grasslands; Nigeria is participating in the Festival; will not have much time for looking at the exhibition during their 10 days in Dakar; on John Taylor; on Frank and Kitty (autogr. with autogr. comments by MWP)
/8/23 MWP to WBF, 17 Feb. 1966 – Allen Davis and Mortimer both said she had to go to Dakar as planned; when he visits she is worn out from planning so does not enjoy the visit; did enjoy the Cal[ifornia] trip and the Christmas holiday; she must be with him as much as she can; has now pulled herself together and can go through with everything; Allen said they could fly to Bamako or Timbuktu in a couple of hours from Dakar; is sorry if she worried him (autogr.; some water damage)
/24 Ibid., ibid. – quotes from a letter from Mercer Cook; discusses hotel accommodation; on Dr Patrick Hazard; on her physical health; maybe it will be good to get away from some of her problems; Marian Wescott came for lunch; on American public opinion; is not happy and feels sick (autogr.)
/25 Louise [Hill] to MWP, 18 Feb. – refers to the itinerary from Joe; assures her that Nigeria is safe and quiet; describes the conditions; refers to the killing of Balewa; is glad the arrangements are working out; is glad that she has been formally invited to speak; John Davis leaves the arrangements in Yvonne Walker’s hands; discusses Mercer; on Senegal; on her spending a few days in Lagos before her travels to Jos etc.; she has nothing to fear as far as travel in Nigeria and Cameroons is concerned; she will invite some friends so MWP’s stay in Lagos will not be boring. 5 pages (autogr. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/26 WBF to ibid., ibid. – four letters from her arrived this morning; it is kind of Joe to take such trouble over their itinerary; on various dates to do with the trip; on various options regarding visiting Nigeria and the Grasslands (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/8/27 MWP to WBF, 20 Feb. 1966 – for the past few weeks has been is a state of agitation; has come to the conclusion that she was about to commit herself to something which would be the worst possible course; she means the trip to Dakar; every logical consideration tells her to cancel her plans; there is no chance that she would meet anyone interesting or absorb any new ideas; he is the reason she is interested in Africa; she cannot stand the AMSAC crowd; on Roy Sieber asked Mrs Innes-Brown why no American university scholars have been asked to participate; it is shocking that only an extreme group like AMSAC are sending representations; lists some people who are participating in the colloquium; she is not feeling or looking well; her age is catching up with her; loves her home here; David can only stay for a day or two; she is dependent on David when travelling; mentions Salisbury; 11 days of colloque is too much for her; on Kat; he has wonderful ideas about African art; he has patience and courtesy, and he makes allowances; she has none of these qualities; if Roy get the money to go he will talk on African history; Pat Hazard will enjoy it and can read her paper; he is a Negrophile while she is not; nor is she a Negrophobe; the Hills want her to visit; David told her not to post this letter until he has read it; it hurts him to disappoint WBF; he can meet her in Paris; has forgotten one of the most important reasons not to go; cannot get extra from Mortimer; it would be ridiculous expenditure for a return of no value; asks him to look at it from her point of view; David approved of all the foregoing except that Pat Hazard should read the goldweight paper; on the dinner she cooked; is homesick for him. 4 pages (autogr.)
/28 Ibid., 21 Feb. – the answer is still no; his kindness aggravates her condition which is developing into a full-fledged depression; on Audrey Moffley; mentions the Fon of Bafut; encloses Louise’s letter; she has no interest in African art either; airplanes only fly once or twice a week to the Grasslands; she cannot prepare a simple meal any more; she forgets what she is going for when going from room to room; it is not simple depression but is a nervous breakdown; is in no condition to be forced to do something against her will; is unhappy that he will not try to understand; she is a sick old woman; envies the courage of Betty […?]; will be interested in hearing about the festival; told Louise that he was giving the opening address; this is probably not true; mentions Mr Peck and Mercer Cook; is sorry but she cannot and will not come; is sick about her own condition (autogr.)
/29 National Review, 22 Feb. – Elspeth Huxley, ‘Death In Nigeria’ (magazine page)
/8/30 MWP to WBF, 23 Feb. 1966 – Kathy McBride thinks it most unwise for her to go to Africa; her goldweight paper can be read by Pat Hazard; refers to Elspeth Huxley’s piece in the National Review [/8/29]; on the situation in Nigeria; on the American participants in the colloque; on American scholars not being invited; he sent a list of scholars who should be invited to Father Mveng; he will have a better time in Dakar without being responsible for her and Kat; is sorry to disappoint him but knows her limitations; on Dr Pat Hazard; on his flight times; he is devoted to WBF (autogr.) [on verso:] David Shelton to MWP, 21 Feb. – heard that she was contemplating a safari to Africa; is disturbed as to whether it might be a tragic mistake; on her getting ill on trips to Europe; no competent physician would permit her to go; Africa is no place for her at this stage of life and with her health record; can tell from telephone calls that she is not feeling well; requests that she stay in Philadelphia (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/31 Kat Merkel to MWP, 23 Feb. – has written to WBF reinforcing her expressed opinions about Africa; proposes an alternative trip in Africa; suggests spending five days at the festival and then travelling; her ex-husband is threatening a lawsuit over the children; in Mar. is taking her children skiing in Wyoming; asks what she is taking; mentions the Modern Museum thing; wishes that some solution could be given to her to soothe her nerves and innards; on being trapped by solitude; is rereading ‘Daniel’ by Martin Buber; battles must be faced with stamina and courage; whatever they decide she must remember she has a loyal side-kick for their travels; is sure the whole thing will unkink soon (tp. with autogr. notes)
/8/32 MWP to WBF, 24 Feb. 1966 – on mentally flushing letters down the toilet; is sure she would not be in physical danger in Africa but her mental balance is precarious; if she had a one-track mind like his it would be easy; on the things which are depressing her; on her doctors; he must accept that she is old and sick; on social events; no one here is prepared to help the West African emerging nations; on Pat Hazard; he can do anything for WBF that she could do; he can read her goldweight paper and show the slides; asks him to take the slides with him; on David, who is writing to him today; she has asked Dr Zubrow and David Shelton not to write to him; if Kat goes off the Africa her husband may get custody of the children; there is not one thing that appeals to her in Kat’s plans; is glad she has arranged the trust for him; has a new will made; is sure she is in the midst of a bad nervous breakdown; on lectures she must give; on ‘What in the World?’; this letter continues on the bottom of David’s letter (autogr.)
/33 David Crownover to ibid., ibid. – has just seen MWP; she is in a state; she made up her mind that the trip to Africa would be too much for her; she decided that she could manage a trip to Paris when he was there; suggests WBF send her a letter expressing understanding of her decision; she loves him so much that to disappoint him makes it difficult; this is not his business but he hopes WBF will take it at face value; apologises for meddling (tp. with autogr. PS)
/34 Sidney Zubrow to ibid., 26 Feb. – is writing as MWP’s friend and physician to sympathise with her present condition; alludes to her periods of depression; she is fighting not to slip into depression; thinks that a long flight followed by a change of climate would be very bad for her; cannot feel it would be safe to give her the required shots; refers to her bad gall bladder; feels certain that WBF will understand (autogr.; some water damage)
/35 MWP to ibid., ibid. – this morning she had a slight heart attack; Dr Zubrow came; she told him nothing will make her feel better until she hears from WBF that he is not angry; Biebuyck and Kat are coming [to Dakar]; on Kennedy coming to see her; he said he had something important to discuss; he is meeting Kat, who says she is in love with him; he is married; there is a story on Kennedy in Time for 18 Feb.; refers to the coup in Ghana; wants to hide from all the horrors of the world; she looks every day of her age; everyone rubs her the wrong way except Kathy; she knows that when this kind of thing hits MWP it is uncontrollable; he has only once seen her in a depression; wishes he understood her better (autogr.; some water damage)
/8/36 WBF to MWP, 28 Feb. 1966 – her letter announcing her decision not to go to Dakar depressed him exceedingly, for the decision itself and for the mass of reasons she gave for it; she really is mixed up; discusses ‘the Great Debate’; only extremists are heard; discusses Vietnam; he meant to write about Dakar; is deflated by her decision; now has to rethink the trip; perhaps there is a chance that she will change her mind again; mentions Mortimer; the only valid [reason] for calling it off would be physical; she says that her friends tell her she would be crazy to go when Africa is in its present state; West and Central Africa are safer and more stable than three months ago; on Nkrumah’s overthrow; on winning prizes at Dakar; no American books have been submitted for prizes; she is afflicted with psychosomatic tension; refers to their meeting in 1950; the Festival will be useless unless they make themselves felt; he needed her help (autogr.)
/37 Ibid., 1 Mar. – refers to her letter of 26 Feb. [/8/35]; is not angry with her; his previous letter may seem irritable but he did not feel that way; was trying to steer her off a depression; loves her too much to do anything to make her unhappy; it is good news that Daniel is coming; perhaps she could suggest that he come on the Cameroons-Nigeria trip with him; does not think he should go alone with Kat; hopes she can throw off the depression; wishes he could be there to help her; perhaps she will throw if off quickly and change her mind about Dakar; he would never be angry with her (autogr.)
/38 MWP to WBF, 2 Mar. – is feeling no better; Kat is hell bent on going because Gebauer wants her to see Bamenda; she is willing to spend five days at the colloquium; her love life is interfering with her plans; she met George Kennedy in New York; is in constant pain; will not enclose Louise’s letter but quotes from it; she wrote at length about the Ghana coup; encloses the Elspeth Huxley piece [/8/29]; she feels too rotten to write more; is looking forward to Roy’s visit; when David wrote [see /8/33] he was concerned more with her mental than her physical health; he felt sure WBF would answer the letter (autogr.; some water damage)
/8/39 WBF to MWP, 5 Mar. 1966 – refers to her being in distress; on letters he has received; discusses her depressions; she must see herself in historical perspective; when she is depressed she worries over the world’s troubles; discusses the Elspeth Huxley article [/8/29]; mentions Rhodesia and Ghana; asks her not to think that he is annoyed that she is not coming to Dakar; is only disappointed by the reason why she cannot; mentions coming to Paris and London at the end of May; gives his address in Dakar[?] (autogr.; some water damage)
/40 MWP to WBF, 7 Mar. [1966] – refers to his letter of 5 Mar. [/8/39]; she enjoyed having Roy here; refers to falling to pieces; is making herself see people; discusses her depressions; the Hills are asking him to stay in Lagos; asks him to write about life in Dakar; refers to her decision not to go; asks him to write (autogr.)
/41 MWP to WBF, 14 Mar. – the suicidal phase of depression has set in; tries to ensure she is seldom alone; on her social activities; on the Ambass[ador] of Haiti; on Sister Sarah; on Bill Sharpe who is coming to London; does not plan to die in the immediate future; has lost faith in God and man; is a spectre of her former self (autogr.; some water damage)
/42 WBF to MWP, 15 Mar. – on not receiving any letters during his last week in London; he worries more when he does not hear from her; thinks it is good for her to write the truth to him when she is depressed; hopes her depression was brought on by physical causes rather than by fears of coming to Africa; on the weather in Dakar; the Senegalese are giving him the VIP treatment; on the difficulties of the journey by freight plane, bringing the British collections; on a letter from Kat (autogr.; some water damage)
/43 MWP to WBF, 17 Mar. – is trying to keep busy to stay out of hospital; on people she had dinner with; on Frank Taylor who is going to Makishi country; on the tribe he is studying; feels as badly as ever but did a lecture; on David and Freddie; mentions Sister Sarah; on a letter from Kat; thinks he should go to the Grasslands with her; to hell with gossip (autogr.; some water damage)
/8/44 WBF to MWP, 18 Mar. 1966 – refers to her letter of 14 Mar. [/8/41]; refers to her letter posted on 9 Mar. [not held]; refers to her saying that she has not put anything into anyone’s life; refutes this; discusses her depressions; on his work at the Musée Dynamique; on the Nigerian and Berlin collections; on Roy and Bob coming to Dakar; on the requirement to have white tie and tails; it would have been great if Roy could have come on the Cameroon trip; on Kat going to the Grasslands with him; on hotels in Dakar; Bill Sharpe ought to visit Linacre College in Oxford; on West Africa; wishes she was there; mentions Dr Zubrow; on anti-malaria drugs; on the food at the hotel; on the other guests. 8 pages (autogr.)
/45 MWP to WBF, 21 Mar. – on her health; was never afraid of Dakar, she just felt she would be disappointed; Roy and Pat Hazard are coming to Dakar; asks him not to worry over her; Eliot Elisofon is coming tonight; is glad Kat is going to the Cameroons; mentions George Kennedy; feels sad and hopeless but she loves him (autogr.)
/46 Ibid, 23 Mar. – on her health; he described her condition exactly; on Eliot Elisofon; discusses Roy; discusses Bob; on the theft of a Benin mask at Warren Robbins’ museum; he is having a show of African Art from the Peabody Collections next week; Ernest Harding is coming for dinner; on cooking; thinks she is coming out of the depression and should be all right in about a week; has had cyclic depression since she was a child; on a joke in the New Yorker (autogr.)
/47 Ibid., 29 Mar. – comments on his paper on ‘Tribality’; wants Pat Hazard to read it; on Pat’s wife Mary; on the effect her depression has on her men friends; she only loves WBF; her love for David is maternal; her women friends make too many demands on her; is in the mood to give away all her furniture and move to England; Pat Hazard will see him [WBF] tomorrow; wishes him a happy birthday; asks about the African student of tribal art present at the colloque; supposes the collections arrived all right; refers to Meauzé (autogr.; some water damage)
/48 Ibid., 1 Apr. – thinks she is coming out of depression; on people who were with her last night; Kitty Francis wrote to her; is about to give Mortimer an ultimatum; wants to move back to London for at least two years; on accommodation in London; assured Kat that he would meet her at the airport; he and Kat will have a grand time in the Cameroons; maybe Joe Hill will go; Pat Hazard will read his paper (autogr.; some water damage)
/8/49 Kat Merkel to MWP, 11 Apr. 1966 – refers to Lord Fagg and Lady Moffley; they have had adventures; they are getting an early flight tomorrow; on a French planter; will remember what their heads feel like attached to their necks (autogr.)
/50 WBF to ibid., ibid. – this letter is the first she has heard from him since he sent the stenciled version of his colloque paper [MS 499/14/51]; if she had not battled through the worst of the depression he would have dropped her a line; since the Festival got under way there has hardly been a moment; on the trip with Kat and Audrey; he was awarded the prize for ‘Nigerian Images’; is sorry that they did not choose their book; describes the prize-giving ceremony; the Festival and colloque were great fun; is sorry she cannot be there to swell his harem. 3 pages (autogr.)
/51 MWP to WBF, 19 Apr. – hopes this letter reaches him in Dakar; is practically over the depression; when it is over it is incredible to her that she behaved so badly; at least she kept out of hospital; mentions Hunter Hammill; had a letter from Bill Sharpe who soon returns from London and Norfolk; on a hotel in Hallam Street; on his work; Pat Hazard is coming next Wednesday with his film; he despises Senghor; asks if he got any money as a prize; sees no reason for going to Paris; is yet to see one issue of West Africa; on Bill Bertolet and Nan Shaw; on ‘What in the World?’; on his report of the Grasslands trip; felt badly that she did not show up at Dakar to meet Audrey; on her worry over him; asks for another copy of his colloque paper [MS 499/14/51] (autogr.)
/52 WBF to MWP, 21 Apr. – expects she has had reports from other members of the exploration society; they had an enjoyably strenuous time in the Grasslands; discusses the trip; cannot predict how she would have fared had she been well enough to come; describes possible outcomes; on travelling after dark in the Bamileke country; he likes Charles Moffley very much; on living dangerously in Cameroon; on the haven of comfort which is the Hills’ home, from where he is writing; asks if she is coming to London[?] at the end of May; the exhibition is worth it (autogr.; some water damage)
/8/53 MWP to WBF, 25 Apr. 1966 – has seen Audrey and talked to Kat; refers to the ‘little mouse’ Kat is engaged to; on Audrey’s opinion of Kat; she thought WBF rather unappreciative; reminds him to send a thank you note to Charles Moffley; hopes Kat has written to Charles as he is shipping all her purchases for her; mentions BEBF; wishes him happy birthday for 28 Apr.; mentions despatches on the Festival in the New York Times; Life had a short piece; is sure she would not have enjoyed any of the spectacles; on papers being digested to 10 minutes; discusses the Festival further; on the last of the Rubinstein sales; the first sale did not do as well as expected; on Nigerian students coming to study (autogr.; some water damage)
/54 Ibid., ibid. – just sent a birthday greeting to Galata Road but suppose he is still in Africa; is yet to hear a good word on the Festival except from him; the Hills thought it did more harm than good; on Otto Patzau and Charles Parkhurst going to Dakar; on the hotel; on the prices; on someone at the American Embassy who was helpful to Kat, Roy and Bob; discusses Audrey; on Audrey’s opinion of Kat; Audrey thought WBF did not appreciate how much Charles did for him; Audrey is sending copies of their paperback to eight people who entertained her in the Cameroons; she renewed the New Yorker for his birthday; wishes he was back in London (autogr.)
/55 Bill Sharpe to MWP, 28 Apr. – sees evidence of the elegance of London; on his accommodation; tells her Stephen’s grades; on his work at the Royal Orthopaedic; on pens and paper; on a long walk he took; gives his opinion of Soho; hopes to hear from WBF as soon as he is back from Africa; alludes to visiting BEBF (autogr. with autogr. note from MWP to WBF)
/8/56 WBF to MWP, 1 May 1966 – describes his wanderings in Paris; arrived yesterday, two days late; Air France was unable to get the British boxes into the hold of the plane; recounts the tale; on the weather in Paris; was glad to receive a letter from her when he returned to Dakar a week ago; glad that her depression is coming to an end; she should come over at the end of the month or at the beginning of June; on the exhibition; there are many interesting pieces in the show; it was quite well arranged in Dakar; is going to see the Tishman collection this afternoon; Kamer’s contribution of 10 pieces to Dakar included about six fakes; on a New Guinea squatting figure; asks about accommodation in Paris; on photographs of him taken at Dakar; likes Senghor very much; mentions négritude; was infuriated to find the Musée de l’Homme closed for May Day; on an impromptu exhibition of sculpture by H.G. Adam; visited the Grand Palais; is now on a bateau mouche; will see Meauzé in the morning; wishes she was there. 6 pages (autogr.)
/57 MWP to WBF, post-2 May – had lunch with Charles [Ratton] and Madeleine; mentions Peter Wilson; mentions Parke-Bernet and Sotheby’s; on being at the Todes; mentions a slide of people dancing in enormous masks; Charles is pleased that Kat bought his Cameroon stool; on Kat; on Madeleine and her son; supposes he is getting the catalogue of the Rubinstein sale; Fred Duerr wrote about his luck in meeting WBF and the Hills; does not think she will come over for his show in Paris; on a trip she might take (autogr.; some water damage) [on verso:] Charles [Ratton] to MWP, 27 Apr. – will see her on 2 May; Madeleine is with him in New York (autogr.)
/58 Ibid., 4 May – refers to a respectably long letter from him; on things which he did not mention; asks about Fred; asks if he has written a thank you to Charles Moffley; on seeing Audrey, who thinks WBF writes like a dream but lectures poorly; asks for a mimeographed copy of his Dakar colloque paper [MS 499/14/51]; refers to her lunch with Charles; on items in the Rubinstein sale; mentions the trip she might be taking; asks how lond the show will be on for in Paris; on her health; on Warren Robbins’ book; mentions the Lessing Rosenwalds; he must see their collection next time he is in Philadelphia; wonders how many letters to Dakar were lost; is dining with Otto Patzau; on Freddie (autogr.)
/8/59 Kitty Francis to MWP, 8 May 1966 – would love to have lunch with the Rosenwalds; Frank is supposed to be attending a meeting of the National Microfilms Association; they have been to Jenkintown; should love to see them and the collection again; mentions Lessing and his wife; they are looking forward to next Monday; shall have room in her bag for the dresses; she sprained her ankle after getting back from Russia (autogr. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/60 MWP to WBF, 12 May – Lloyd Garrison of the New York Times referred to him as ‘Britain’s leading ethnologist’; on the Punch review of his new book (autogr.; note on an envelope)
/61 Ibid., 18 May – it has been a busy weekend; mentions the Deanery Sale and the International Fair; discusses Freddie; on giving lunch to the Francises; on guests at a dinner for the Francises; on a lecture; on a buffet she prepared after the lecture; on social activity the next day; discusses BM matters and personnel (autogr.)
/62 Ibid., 20 May – thinks he might ring up Underwood; refers to his TV as ‘that horrible machine’; on her health; on Freddie Schwarz; discusses Bob Vickers; on Roy; refers to Warren Robbins’ book; on [Ernst] Anspach and Sister Sarah; Ernst has acquired four Basonge fetishes; discusses Bill Sharpe; is sorry that she cannot go to a lecture on ‘Yoruba Dance Culture’ [referred to on verso]; plans to arrive on 21 July; asks him to reserve her a room in Hallam Chambers. 3 pages (autogr.) [on verso:] Bob [Vickers] to MWP, 16 May – refers to her letter of 14 May; has written to the National Science Foundation; he will use her and Roy Sieber as his references; appreciates her efforts on his behalf (autogr.); Calvin H. Raullerson, The American Society of African Culture, to [MWP], 12 May – invites her to a lecture on ‘Yoruba Dance Culture’ by Dr Robert F. Thompson on 26 May; gives some biographical detail about Dr Thompson (tp.)
/63 Ibid., 26 May – asks him to send a review of the Ayrton show if he sees one; also asks for a copy of his speech at Dakar; on a visit by the Hills; is going to Bryn Mawr to arrange the Deanery Sale; on other engagements; mentions Kat’s wedding; is giving her a Bakuba cup as a wedding present; Audrey gave her [MWP] a Cameroons brass pipe; on Audrey’s photographs; the issues of Discovering Art are sold out; she did not get any copies of West Africa so hopes he did not pay for her subscription; asks him to get Bill Sharpe’s book (autogr.)
/8/64 Ibid., 31 May 1966 – Bill Sharpe gets back today; on her reservation at Hallam Chambers; has not heard from him for three or four weeks; on the Deanery Sale; she is busy every minute; on some items which she ordered from the BM; they were marked ‘Personal Effects’; asks that he write to David Crownover to explain that the box of study material was marked ‘Personal Effects’; itemizes the contents; is beginning to get things together for London; is glad he gave Bill Sharpe a good time is working a little on the Ashanti book (autogr.)
/65 Ibid., 7 June – asks if he would like her to bring some felt pens; on Harold Rome and his exhibition; on his friends the Potemkins; mentions Carlebach stuff; is working in the Museum on Wednesday (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/66 Ibid., 11 June – has her ticket on the ‘Rotterdam’ arriving 21 or 22 [July]; Jim Dorling has died; Tom McDonald brought five copies of their paperback to be signed; discusses him; he will ring WBF at the BM; on Allen; mentions Bill Sharpe; on felt pens; mentions Leon and Ernst Anspach; on arrangements for her arrival in England; asks again for a copy of his Dakar speech (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/67 Ibid., ibid. – gives her opinion of the new Man; on Discovering Art; asks him to try to get her six sets; asks about the dates for their visit to Paris; on Bill Sharpe; who had an accident on the voyage home; this will be the first time she has been on a ship since she broke her nose; on a dinner she is going to; on the weather; her doctor does not think long flights are good for her; asks him to write (autogr.; some water damage)
/68 Ibid., 16 June – asks when they are going to Paris; on the reservation at Hallam Chambers; hopes he writes soon; F.F. liked WBF’s plan for the Gallery; on social engagements; had a note from Fred Duerr (autogr.; some water damage)
/69 Ibid., 19 June – on Sister Sarah and Ernst Anspach; was about to ring him as she has not heard from him for so long; asks when the Paris show from Dakar closes; asks when they will be in Paris; Fred Duerr wants her to go to Munich in Aug.; suggests they go there from Paris; on her new Viennese friends the Patzaus; has written 300 more words on the second Ashanti War; on Hallam Chambers; on a Mrs Fry who will be visiting the BM to see the Plass Collection (autogr.; some water damage)
/8/70 WBF to MWP, 20 June 1966 – refers to their meeting in a month’s time; shall meet her at Waterloo; he is being awarded the RAI Patron’s Medal by Princess Alice on 30 June; has been reelected to RAI Council; is fairly satisfied with the way the RAI is being run; on a letter of thanks from Senghor [not held] for the British Contribution; the Festival had been a great success; the American committee was riddled with dissension; something should be done to improve the American organization for next time; the Paris exhibition looks better than at Dakar; on when they should go there (autogr.; some water damage)
/71 MWP to WBF, post-22 June – on Kat’s articles on Dakar; gets home from New York on 11 July; leaves for England on 14 July; mentions her manic friend Penny; the casts and books finally came; on money for her trip; discusses what clothes she will need; on the Rosenwalds; asks if he will go to Osterley with her; asks him to write (autogr.; some water damage) [on verso:] Roy Sieber to MWP, 22 June – refers to her letter of 19 June [not held]; on Ernst [Anspach]; Mert Simpson has been getting some first rate material; they are delighted she is in manic condition; on Kat M. and her collection; she feels that his contribution to African art studies is his ability to palaver with traders; does not have any goldweight photos worth sending (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/72 Sister Sarah to MWP, 26 June – asks her to thank Mr Crownover; appreciated his loan and transport of the artefacts for her lecture; if she goes to Germany, their house in Essen is lovely; she would enjoy Sister Laetitia in Osterley; will report to her if she meets Kathryn McBride (autogr.; some water damage)
/73 MWP to WBF, 27 June – on her travel arrangements; has reserved rooms at the Pont-Royal; Bob Thompson will be in Paris then; is thrilled about the Patron’s Medal; ‘Penny’ (Leslie) Woods will be calling on him shortly; describes her; on felt tip pens; mentions Hallam Chambers (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/74 WBF to MWP, 28 June – suggests they look up the Ayrtons while she is over; they ought to go and see Henry [Moore]; on seeing Charles [Ratton] in Paris; mentions Anne-Marie Pope and the 100/100 show; he shall be working on a new African exhibition next year; Adrian does not like his scheme for the gallery; hopes she showed it to Frank unofficially; on Bob Thompson; on a hotel in Paris (autogr.)
/8/75 MWP to WBF, 29 June 1966 – on Freddie Schwarz who will drive her to Kathy’s; on going to the Reserve; mentions Freddie having brain operations; on catering while at Hallam Street; she will not rent a TV so they might get some work done; will bring goldweights for rephotographing; on a serious letter from Louise; asks if he wants her to bring anything over; wishes he would answer questions; Heffer’s catalogue has an excellent review of his last book (autogr.)
/76 WBF to MWP, 30 June – is going to receive his gong from the Princess; sends her some prints of bead pictures; asks her to bring some copies of ‘Tribes and Forms’ and ‘Nigerian Images’; wonders if she could take back the exchange material for Roy Sieber; asks if she got the copy of John Peck’s report on the Festival (autogr.)
/77 Ibid., 5-6 July – does not remember her mentioning Penny Wood; discusses her; discusses her friend Elizabeth Russell; had a visit from Hope Macklin and her son; on the reservations at the Pont-Royal; would love to go to Munich and Salzburg with her but is not sure that it can be arranged; had a nice presentation of the Patron’s Medal; will have a new desk ready for her to work on the goldweights (autogr.)
/78 MWP to WBF, post-6 July – is sorry she missed Bill [Sharpe]; thought she wrote to him [WBF] about Penny Woods; discusses her and her family; discusses Elizabeth Russell; looks forward to her desk in his office; on working on the goldweights; mentions David; on David and Nan Shaw; arrives on the morning of 21 July; on catering in Hallam Chambers; lists the people she wants to see in London; had 16 of the ‘girls’ here last week for an exhibition of Ethiopian and East Coast jewellery and cloths; on the Zeunars’[?] wedding; on other social engagements. 4 pages (autogr.; water damaged) [on verso:] Bill Sharpe to MWP, 6 July – was in Philadelphia but missed her; feels like a beast of burden; on his committee work (autogr.)
/79 WBF to MWP, 8 Sept. – it was lovely to have her for such a long visit; on the twin-locust weight; on the photographer named Ridley; encloses a letter [not held] which he took to West Africa; on his bicycle giving out; is dining with Kat and James next Monday; will see Henry Moore tonight (autogr.; some water damage)
/8/80 MWP to WBF, 11 Sept. 1966 – has been home for four days; had a lovely time in London; love, him and the museum are all she cares about; feels well, if tired; discusses people she met on the voyage home, including Robert and Monique Jones; they know Jacques Stoclet and his wife well; they are collectors; she got Roy’s stuff safely into Bob Taylor’s hands; on Jehanne Teilhet and her French beau; had an 18-page letter from Allen and M[arie]-T[hérèse]; on social engagements (autogr.)
/81 Ibid., 12 Sept. – is reasonably caught up; her study is a mess; has made a chicken salad for the Sisters; on a letter for West Africa; on the weather; has lost weight; the Hills arrive in Cleveland on 24 Sept.; is sorry about his bicycle (autogr.)
/82 Ibid., 15 Sept. – on Allen Davis’ addresses; he needs the slides; she also needs the slides; she has nine lectures scheduled between Oct. and May; on getting dates for him [to lecture?]; on her weight loss; on people she must write to; on social engagements; is very tired (autogr.; some water damage)
/83 Ibid., 16 Sept. – mentions Wendell Coote; on Allen Davis’ address; on sending his slides and hers; on money; mentions Dorothy White and Monique; Bill Bascom dropped in yesterday; on Freddie who is in Yucatan; on the Foremans; on social engagements; has not succeeded in getting her life organized (autogr.)
/84 Ibid., 28 Sept. – on her travel plans in Dec. and Jan.; on staying with Katherine; suggests he fly to Washington to see Mrs Pope; she and Kat think he should marry Brigitte Menzil; expounds on this topic; hates to leave him alone (autogr.)
/85 Ibid., 8-11 Oct. – hopes he is home; hopes he will write to tell her about the meeting; has had a letter from Kat about dates for Jan.; discusses travel plans; has had letters from Jehanne Teilhet and from Bob and Monique Jones; she is so busy; describes her activities; is in correspondence with Louise Cochrane about her daughters; discusses Brigitte Menzel (autogr.)
/8/86 Bob [Vickers] to MWP, 10 Oct. 1966 – the NSF returned his proposal paper today; has had some encouraging comments; on the grant; on submitting his proposal to the President of Antioch College; asks that she send a reference to him; has not heard of a decision regarding the RAI; he is quite encouraged about prospects; when the study is finished he would like to find a university that could make use of his services (autogr. with autogr. comments by MWP)
/87 MWP to WBF, 12 Oct. – wishes he would look up Wendell Coote who is in charge of African Affairs at the Embassy in London; American Negroes in London go to see him; refers to the letter she sent last night [/8/85]; has not written to the Director, nor Adrian nor Bentley; on ‘Miss What’s-her-name’s’ [Elizabeth Carmichael’s] report to the Trustees; asks him about Nan Shaw; everyone is too busy to keep lines of communication open; has received a new book ‘African Kingdoms’ from Life; the pictures are excellent; Eliot did a chapter; asks about Jan. dates (autogr.; some water damage)
/88 WBF to MWP, 18 Oct. – is sorry he has failed to write for three weeks; is taking Nan to a party with him; on his trip to Berlin; the Seminar was useful in helping Africans get to grips with realities in the museum and cultural world; on spending time with Brigitte; he likes her but nothing will come of it; he contributed quite a lot to the Seminar; will send her an essay he wrote; got hold of a copy of Design with Ridley’s photographs; agrees with her itinerary for Jan. (autogr.)
/89 MWP to WBF, 19 Oct. – asks for comments on three bits of information or questions; on Fred Duerr meeting Mrs Pitt-Rivers on a plane; told him that WBF would go to Dorset with him; on a Mrs Titian Spencer who sent a catalogue of her collection at the Fine Arts Gallery in San Diego; describes it; Hope Macklin’s son wants to study in London; asks how he should apply; asks if WBF can recommend any courses; discusses his family; knows now why he never has time to write to her; she is so rushed; writing takes so long; on her social engagements (autogr.)
/8/90 Ibid., 21 Oct. 1966 – on receiving a letter; on receiving his paper on the function of museums; on a Turkish show; is glad he agrees about Jan. dates; if she feels well enough after New Orleans will spend an evening in Washington with him; mentions Warren and Kat; is horrified that Kat sent the stuff to Allen Davis wrongly addressed; talked to Parkhurst about her lecture; mentions Mrs Titian Spencer and her collection; she has boring museum correspondence but is very conscientious about it; is trying to ward off a depression (autogr.; some water damage)
/91 Ibid., 24 Oct. – on the MPQ and Warren Robbins; went to the Todes; on her health; on rereading his letters (autogr. note; much illegible due to water damage)
/92 New York Times, 24 Oct. – ‘The Schindlers Share Their Home With a Large Family – of Sculptures’ (newspaper cutting)
/93 WBF to MWP, 2 Nov. – is sorry to hear that she is in depression; discusses depression; believes that people who go off their heads do so by their failure to resist; John Taylor came to show him Ridley’s photographs which are the best goldweight photographs he has seen; Taylor will send them to her for captioning; it will be good for her to start writing the captions; on his evening with Nan; he gave her a copy of his note on the functions of museums; invited her out again; discusses banking; on his new bicycle; thanks her for the cutting about the Schindler collection [/8/92]; is glad they can see the collection in Jan.; on his work; on Elizabeth Carmichael who has returned from S[outh] A[merica]; his observations on the Dakar Festival are in Africa for Oct.; on her Baltimore trip; mentions a Miss Martha Cooper who went to MWP’s lecture; encloses a copy of his letter [not held] to Jacqueline about the Kamer ‘Dogon’; discusses his view and the Kamers; hopes she is finding West Africa useful; discusses matters concerning Nigeria. 4 pages (autogr.)
/94 MWP to WBF, ibid. – is in one of the worst depressions she has ever had; has had several visitors; on the social engagements with which she is filling her life to keep a false front over her deep grief; he seems very far away; asks if Miss Carmichael gave any report of her travels in South America; thinks she might have written; outlines more social engagements; everyone is wonderful but no one is like him (autogr.; some water damage)
/8/95 Ibid., 6 Nov. 1966 – on a letter from [Martha Cooper?] who had been to her lecture in Baltimore; on her career; she has not turned against African art but against life; no one is close to her except him and he is so far away; enjoyed his letter to Jacqueline; she read West Africa cover to cover, particularly the Tellem letters; looks back to happy memories but cannot go on living; feels bereft of friends and friendship; on people visiting her; the world is better off without her (autogr.)
/96 Ibid., post-6 Nov. – on Bill [Sharpe’s] depressions; describes his odd behaviour on a recent visit (autogr.); [on verso:] Bill Sharpe to MWP, 6 Nov. – thinks she is over the worst; the important thing is to let the feelings pass; tells her not to make any decisions until she is herself again; she has ridden through these spells in the past (autogr.)
/97 MWP to WBF, 9 Nov. – she had kept most people away while she went through her terrors; thanks him for his magnificent letter; she will never kill herself nor threaten to do so; Dr Zubrow thinks taking out her gall bladder might help; [Sister Sarah to WBF:] on MWP’s state of mind; his beautiful letter turned the tide; MWP will call him tonight to reassure him (autogr.)
/98 WBF to MWP, 10 Nov. – was alarmed to hear the telephone ringing early this morning; on the phone going dead; it was a relief to hear that her depression was over; asks her to keep his letter about financial matters to hand; encloses the next move[?] on the Tellem (autogr.; some water damage)
/99 MWP to WBF, ibid. – on his letters, which are all precious to her; on setting goals before the end comes; gives some examples; she wishes him to become even greater in the world; her sorrow is that he has no child to follow after him; there are different kinds of love; on physical pain; asks him not to let her upset him again; was in distress when she threatened to die; on her physical health issues; on her friends; will try to write to him every day (autogr.)
/8/100 Ibid., 11 Nov. 1966 – discusses financial matters; on people mentioned in her will; on her health; on her state of mind; discusses the New Orleans trip; on scheduled lectures; she keeps being interrupted by the phone and callers; Ernst Anspach is coming in an hour; mentions Biebuyck and Bob Thompson; on the weather; a girl named Cooper wrote to her after the Baltimore lecture asking MWP to help get her a job; she rang Roy about her; he made some useful suggestions. 4 pages (autogr.; two air letters)
/101 Ibid., 12 Nov. – on posting two air letters [/8/100]; is entering hospital; asks him not to telephone; was a little better yesterday afternoon but relapsed; it will pass; perhaps she will be better in a week (autogr. note; water damaged)
/102 Ibid., 13 Nov. – the depression did not lift; she got over the suicide idea; discusses financial matters; is in hospital; on tests; Bentley wants to come to Philadelphia; will send him her phone number; is trying to keep as quiet as possible; the Dogon-Tellem letter was a masterpiece; they were just given a supposed tellem, sold by Charles Ratton; on another Dogon which David showed him a picture of (autogr.; some water damage)
/103 Ibid., 18 Nov. – has not written for about five days as she feels sick and dispirited; Ernst agrees with him about the money of suicides; she no longer wants to take her life as she wants him to be happy; on a letter from John Taylor; it will be a week or two before the pictures arrive; will start writing ‘trial’ captions; on a letter from Joe Hill; David brings her mail every morning; she may go home tomorrow or Saturday; on her diet (autogr.; some water damage)
/104 Ibid., post-20 Nov. – on Bill Sharpe (autogr.); [on verso:] Bill Sharpe to MWP, 20 Nov. – hopes there is an improvement in her view of the world; perhaps WBF is right in ascribing some responsibility to her; on his aunt; carrying her bags put his arm out of joint; on making index cards for the Pennsylavania Hospital Pamphlet Collection; mentions Stevie (autogr.)
/8/105 MWP to WBF, 21 Nov. 1966 – her release is postponed until Monday; she feels well; has just finished a letter to Alan J. Addicott on his collection; the only good thing about the collection is that the pieces are posed on a good Bambara cloth; Addicott has located an Elisofon-Fagg in Santa Barbara; she told him to take the five pieces he liked best to Los Angeles to see if he could find an decorator who could place any of them; they are not authentic piece of African art; as more young Americans take jobs in Africa, more fakes will be brought into the country; regrets ringing him when she was so despairing; those periods are beyond her control; on her physical health (autogr.; some water damage)
/106 Ibid., 22 Nov. – was released from hospital yesterday; had lunch with Gwen; flowers came from many people; reading is the only occupational therapy she can take; mentions Huizinger’s ‘Tellem’; on her physical state; Bentley came to see her; on other visitors; David is involved in a television series; on Dorothy and Morris Blumberg; is working very hard on this letter which is hard work; on Hunter Hamill and his wife; he told her to make a list of pros and cons; then she will be able to laugh herself out of this ‘nonsense’; she idolizes him [WBF] (autogr.)
/107 Ibid., 25 Nov. – she spent Thanksgiving at the Biebuycks’; on Daniel and his family; there are seven children; on their new house; managed to sleep better than usual; on the weather; on engagements coming up; is coming gradually out of depression; would hate to think she would get depressions twice a year; only thinking of him makes her happy (autogr.)
/108 Kat Reswick to ‘Granny’ [MWP], 26 Nov. – it has been ages since she wrote; she has a mother-in-law who is staying with them until Christmas; turkey day was a success; Christmas looms; is going skiing after Christmas (autogr. with autogr. comments by MWP)
/109 MWP to WBF, 30 Nov. – has ordered ‘Africa’s Contemporary Art & Artists’; on the Rouault catalogue; on the dinner she will make for her cousin and his roommates; had notice of the VIIIe Congrès International to be held in Tokyo in 1968; feels miserable physically which relieves mental tensions; on Sister Sarah; discusses Anspach and his eye operation (autogr.; some water damage)
/8/110 Ibid., 30 Nov. 1966 – on introducing Audrey Moffley at the Cos Club; she did an excellent job on Cameroons, Ethiopia and Tanzania; met some people named Howard; she took them home and showed them some pieces but felt detached from reality; describes what she has been doing since getting up; on an article in Vogue which might interest him; Kat has written and seems unhappier than ever; when he and Kat are there after New Year Audrey wants them for Sunday lunch or dinner; she proposed a reunion dinner on the Saturday night; Bentley just rang her; is distressed that she has not been able to answer John Taylor’s letter; on Ashanti swords; on the weather; had a letter from Hermione Waterfield appreciating WBF’s kindness; David and Freddie and her women friends are kind but everyone must be tired of her apathy; she is planning what to do when the depression lifts; mostly she just wants to hide from life in bed (autogr.; some water damage)
/111 Ibid., 4 Dec. – on Bill Sharpe, who is good about depression, being a victim himself; she is going to see Dr Kelly tomorrow; had a nice letter from Taylor; awaited the arrival of the photos before replying; he wants dates for receiving the manuscript and the captions; she is reading about Ashanti lore; she read Bill Sharpe WBF’s letter on the estates of suicides; he did not agree; on the hospital where Bill Sharpe works; on Catholic institutions in general; on politics (autogr.; some water damage)
/112 Ibid., 6 Dec. – discusses her consultation with Dr Kelly; he told her she could work on the book if she enjoyed it; advised her not to make any decisions; because he is coming soon she feels she must be well for him; wants to see Kat’s slides and his; Allen was very pleased with the slides which reached him in Moscow; is drafting a letter to John Taylor; asks some questions to which she would like answers; the smallest engagement looms like a mountain; she is a burden to him (autogr.; some water damage)
/113 WBF to MWP, 12 Dec. – was glad to receive her letter announcing that she is over the depression; is glad she has found Dr Kelly; finds it difficult to accept his opinion that there is nothing she can do to mitigate the effects of depression; thinks that keeping a factual diary of depression would be of value; refers to her guilt over worrying him; is less worried when he knows how she feels; was glad when she telephoned him twice recently; on his commitments which have got him into a squeeze; has hardly written a word of the UNESCO book, due to renovations at home and dental trouble; on other work commitments; on travel arrangements (autogr.; some water damage)
/8/114 MWP to WBF, 12 Dec. 1966 – shortly after writing a cheerful letter depression settled on her again; is going to see Dr Kelly again but is sure no doctor can help her; has made notes on several books on the Ashanti but cannot think straight; on seeing Bill, David, Geraldine [Bruckner] and Jean Lee; everyone gives her advice; on Sister Sarah; is so weak; will be glad to know when he is coming over; maybe she will be her normal self again; mentions Bentley; on the weather; finds nothing hopeful in the papers or West Africa; the thought of him sustains her (autogr.; some water damage)
/115 Ibid., 19 Dec. – refers to his letter; on arrangements to meet him on 2 Jan.; has been trying to keep social engagements at a minimum; outlines some plans; on the Robert Joneses, who have moved to London; she will tell them WBF will show them round the galleries when he gets back from California; is thinking of a flat in London; discusses Dr Kelly’s opinions; she still wants him [WBF] to marry Nan (autogr.; some water damage; some torn away)
/116 WBF to MWP 28 Dec. – on his arrival time; is bringing three bound books from Sangorski; is trying desperately to finish the two UNESCO booklets before he leaves; on other work commitments (autogr.)
/9 1967-68 Margaret Plass Papers
/1 MWP to WBF, 1967 – on a flight to Jo’burg; mentions Alan H. Jacobs who is on the flight with his family (autogr. pc)
/2 Ibid., 30 Jan. 1967 – is home from hospital but not much better; on a visit by Kate Tode; is reading Claridge’s history of the Gold Coast; will come to London in Mar. with weights for photography; cannot shake her depression; on Mortimer; on a blizzard; misses him; asks him to forgive her for being a poor hostess; the African pieces are back from Baltimore (autogr.)
/3 Ibid., 4 Feb. – has engaged a Bryn Mawr anthropology major to type her Ashanti manuscript; wrote to Taylor that she could come to London in Easter week with manuscript and captions etc.; feels surer of herself than when she was in a depression; is putting on weight; is going to meet Frank McEwen at last; on McEwen being in a car accident; mentions the Franklin Watkins and the David Grossmans; discusses Egypt; cooked dinner for various people; on domestic detail; hopes it will suit him and Taylor for her to come at Easter; asks if the writing is going fast (autogr.)
/9/4 WBF to MWP, 5 Feb. 1967 – refers to her letter [/9/2]; it gives no answer as to what happened at the hospital; hopes she did not have shock treatment; is sure she is not psychotic; discusses her character and her moods; urges her to rely on the friendship of Sister Sarah; another thing is to keep her sense of humour exercised; David can help with this; Charles has paid the auctioneer for WBF’s piece; on payment arrangements; had a lovely couple of days in Durham to lecture (autogr.)
/5 MWP to WBF, 7 Feb. – refers to his letter of 5 Feb. [/9/4]; she read it to Joe Hughes who says she is not psychotic; includes diagrams of brain waves; on the present state of electric therapy; on her experience of shock treatment; on her stay in the institute and the cost; mentions Sister Sarah; on her typist; on financial arrangements with him; on a blizzard; on visitors. 4 pages (autogr.)
/6 Ibid., 8 Feb. – on signing a form giving permission for treatment [on verso]; is doing well but it is hard to concentrate on the book because of visitors, phone calls and letters; hopes to get the book out by Christmas; on a girl who wrote for pictures (autogr.)
/7 Ibid., 13 Feb. [1967 as per postmark] – asks why she cannot discover the joys of the Golden Mean; on Janet Cochrane, Louise and Peter’s daughter; she got her to work on the Ashanti book; on seeing Frank McEwen with Bob and Ellie Wolf; on Freddie and Caroline; she loved Frank; they both adore WBF; found the letter on 22 Feb. in her dressing gown pocket (autogr.; some water damage)
/8 Ibid., 14 Feb. – on her health and mood; on her medication; Dr Hughes wants to meet WBF; on finances between them; asks if he has been invited to a seminar at Hampton Institute; discusses Frank; on Jehanne; Frank worships WBF; on Alan Mann who wants to swap a Basonge for her little Dan-Ngere; will tell him it already belongs to the BM (autogr.)
/9 Ibid., 15 Feb. – on her travel arrangements to come to London in Mar. and Apr.; on Mr Mann; is sending goldweights over for rephotographing; on Frank McEwen; mostly she is coming over because she was a ‘mess’ last time he was there (autogr.)
/9/10 Ibid., 18 Feb. 1967 – on David; now she has pneumonia; on a poetry reading and party she went to with Frank McEwen; on the dinner she made; on how much she like Frank McEwen; is planning for Jehanne to be his girl; on Jehanne; on Dr Hughes; Frank thinks no one but MWP is suited to WBF; she agrees, but cannot live for ever; she wants WBF to have a baby; on a trip to Africa; on her travel arrangements to London; wants to find a small flat in London; had a letter from Miss Cowperthwaite; her flat in the Barclay is being repainted. 4 pages [2 air letters] (autogr.)
/11 Ibid., 20 Feb. – had a letter from Richard Long of the Hampton Institute about the Centennial celebrations; she suggested he bring WBF over; she also suggested Eliot; by then her book will be out; it is going wll; airmailed the transparencies for the dust cover to John Taylor; asks him about the goldweights; on Frank; on their trip to Africa (autogr.)
/12 Ibid., ibid. – still has pneumonia; is determined to make her talk at Newark on 22 Feb.; Dr Z. says she is difficult; she talked to Audrey who told her about Frank; on Charles Moffley; refers to letter from Ralph [on verso]; on the slides of Leon’s sculptures (autogr.)
/13 Ibid., 28 Feb. – on the cold weather at David Shelton’s; on getting up early; David is better but can do little active work; on the American and English tax laws; mailed a lot of stuff to Taylor yesterday; has three prospective flats in Holborn to look at (autogr.)
/14 Monique [Jones] to MWP, 1 Mar. – on her new address; Bob is working too hard and she hardly sees him; on the museums and galleries in London; on meeting WBF at the BM; WBF told her that MWP was coming to London; she can offer her a room; plans to ask WBF to dinner; has not yet bought any African art; on visiting galleries in Paris; is sure the trip to Europe will put the final touch to her recovery (tp.); MWP to WBF, nd – on her reservation at the Kingsley; will be delighted to dine with the Joneses; awaits his opinions about going to Rhodesia in Aug. (autogr.)
/9/15 MWP to WBF, 3 Mar. 1967 – Lund Humphries have not received the goldweights she sent over for photography with Frank McEwen; she needs to know how many dollars he needs to get the Lower Niger piece from Paris; he has not written for two weeks; hopes he is not angry that she liked Frank so well; asks if she said or did anything unforgiveable when depressed; has to see Dr Hughes twice more before coming over; on her cutting book; some volumes are filled up; she will have to buy another at Sangorski & Sutcliffe’s; asks him to write; Frank flew to London on 20 Feb.; she kept a list of the pieces she sent by him; asks him to relieve her mind; on her arrival date in London (autogr.)
/16 WBF to MWP, nd [2 or 3 weeks prior to 5 Mar.] – on financial arrangements between them so that she can pay for his purchase in Paris; [5 Mar.] – has not resumed the letter yet as he has been struggling with the second UNESCO book; on other work commitments; John Taylor is waiting for him to do a specimen chapter; it will be wonderful to see her; is glad that she and Frank took to each other; asks if she can bring with her two copies of ‘Nigerian Images’; there are big thing coming up for his Department, on which her influence will be helpful; they can talk over the Rhodesia trip shall meet her plane; suggests a couple of days in Paris while she is here; he bought a fine Dan mask (autogr.)
/17 MWP to WBF, 5 Mar. – he could have phoned Taylor and told him to send for the goldweights; has posted to him 38 of the captions, the text of the book and the classification; he hopes to have it ready for Praeger by the time she arrives; on the paperback; mentions Cy Nelson at Dutton’s; her lecture at the UM went well; on the von Halles, who are staying with her; hopes they can find a better job for Freddie; refers to his marriage to Caroline (autogr.)
/18 Ibid., 7 Mar. – has sent money for the bronze; has told M. Moran[?] they will be in Paris on 31 Mar.; on her finances; asks him to buy the tickets for Paris; she is reserving a room at the Pont-Royal; does not care what people think; Charles Moffley wants to marry her; describes his circumstances; she is thinking it over; it would free WBF to marry (autogr.)
/19 WBF to MWP, 11 Mar. – she is a bad girl; he will not agree to be registered in a room with her; has made his own dispositions; on correspondence with the Pont-Royal; on Charles Moffley; on things they will do in Paris (autogr.)
/9/20 MWP to WBF, 14 Mar. 1967 – she is going to New York with Laura Biebuyck; outlines what she is going to do there; will be cooking dinner for a WCAU man who she hopes will give Caroline Gabel a job; Caroline’s engagement to Freddie is broken; on a previous letter; recorded two cartridges on her new tape recorder to take to the Cochranes; David said a few words too; they must go to Rhodesia in Aug. (autogr.)
/21 Sister Sarah to ibid., Palm Sunday [19 Mar.] [1967 as per postmark; wrongly dated 1965] – this will probably reach him about two days after MWP; wanted to have her out for Liturgy but it has been very cold; the procession would have been too much the day before a trip; has not seen MWP for two weeks; she has been too active; the doctor has given her tranquillisers; she said WBF did not approve of tranquillisers; it will do MWP a world of good to see him again; hopes they can go out to Osterley; on their Easter celebrations (autogr.)
/22 WBF to MWP, 10 Apr. – is sorry he was not able to be of more help when she left; forgot to kiss her or even to say ‘goodbye’; did not ask PanAm for help because then the deception would have been found out; he presumed she would have struck up a friendship with a muscular American passenger; hopes all went well for her in the end; it was wonderful to have her here for three weeks; was occasionally worried by her tendency to be over-manic; she should learn control, by will-power or tranquillisers; suggests she keep a diary of reactions to people and events; this would develop her self-critical and self-observing faculty; when she is over-manic she is insensitive to people’s feelings; she must keep well against the time when their Scheme is announced; perhaps she should fly over for a week when that happens; on Adrian; every time a new show was opened the Friends would throw a good party; on the best way to launch the Friends (autogr.)
/23 MWP to WBF, 15 Apr. – on receiving the OBE on 21 Apr.; asks him to tell Frank; Bentley received an excellent letter (telegram)
/24 WBF to MWP, 17 Apr. – everyone in the Department is delighted with her honour, as is Bentley; knows that Frank was recommending it last Nov.; has written to let Adrian know; will be sending a copy of a minute which he wants Frank to see (autogr.)
/9/25 MWP to WBF, post-17 Apr. 1967 – refers to the Consul-General’s ‘stuffy’ letter [on verso]; is very pleased; on cooking she has to do for an event at the Deanery, Bryn Mawr; has been working hard; gives news of David, Kidder and Fro; Langton and Gowers wrote notes of congratulation; has had lots of flowers and letters; Freddie sends his best; asks about Rhodesia in July; discusses Bammate (autogr.); [on verso:] Martin J. Moynihan, British Consul General, to MWP, 17 Apr. – on being admitted to Honorary Membership of the Order of the British Empire; she will receive her insignia next Friday; on the ceremony; on suitable dress for the occasion (tp.)
/26 Ibid., 19 Apr. – indicates where his room was at the Deanery, Bryn Mawr; refers to his lecture[?] (autogr. pc)
/27 WBF to MWP, 20 Apr. – this is the note he said he would send; he would be glad for Frank to see it; they are working on planning a modular system of screens, cases, blocks etc.; it is probably the first time it has been done from first principles (autogr.)
/28 Ibid., 24 Apr. – looks forward to her account of her investiture; had a good evening with Audrey and another with David; asks her to make a clean breast of any removal of Trustees’ property; Kat is urging him to come to Cleveland at her expense to write the Katalog; is strongly inclined to accept; explains why; it would give an opportunity to go to Expo 67; the more he thinks about Rhodesia, the more impossible it seems for him to go; is pretty sure he will be officially discouraged; discusses Frank’s observations on Bammate; has been buying the Times to see if her letter was published; discusses a Benin plaque which David brought over (autogr.)
/29 MWP to WBF, ibid. – is grateful for all letters and telegrams; refers to his minute on ‘Fast Exhibitions: a Theoretical Exercise’ [see MS 499/17/57]; she thinks it will pile more work on him; she would rush over to help; will write to Frank; mentions her investiture; on a dinner given for her; her apartment looks well with newly painted walls; is feeling very well; asks if he saw the Alvin Nikolais dance group at Dakar; on Patrick Dean; WCAU televised the investiture (autogr.)
/9/30 Ibid., post-26 Apr. 1967 – refers to letter from S. Logan Kerr [on verso]; she is very tired; tomorrow is going to Ken’s; wants to make reservations for Expo 67; would like to go with him, Bill and David; suggests some dates; Kat and her husband have already accepted to go; may be in London in Sept. (autogr.); [on verso:] S. Logan Kerr to MWP, 26 Apr. – congratulates her on her OBE; is interested that she is Honorary Curator of African Art at the UN; mentions his parents’ chests of curios from Cameroon; asks if she can suggest an individual to make an appraisal (tp.)
/31 Ibid., 28 Apr. – on a Bird of Ill Omen; will bring it in July when she comes over about her flat; refers to his idea about a week at Kat’s and then Expo 67; discusses Kat; on travel arrangements; will bring Frank’s letters for him to analyse; he is WBF’s sincere disciple; found several of her goldweights missing but remembered she loaned some to Lund Humphries and some to Kegan Paul; refers to the letter from Logan Kerr [/9/30 verso]; is going to see his items on 3 May; asks about Burlington Gardens; asks if he is having dates with Nan Shaw; his marriage and parenthood are important to her [MWP]; refers to the congratulations of the BM people (autogr.)
/32 Ibid., May – is exhausted; describes an event later that day; on George and Peggy coming last night; encloses two bits on Expo 67; is lecturing tomorrow to patients in the diagnostic ward at the University Hospital; Dr Hughes says WBF should write her a ‘slow-down’ letter; is going to a lecture by Sister Sarah; describes other activities; is helping Richard Long plan the centenary at Hampton Institute; on the weekend they might go to Expo 67; is working on going to Rhodesia (autogr.)
.1 New York Times, 7 May – ‘A Great Exhibition’ (newspaper cutting) [enclosed with /9/32]
.2 Ibid., 4 May – ‘From Brussels to Expo’ (newspaper cutting) [enclosed with /9/32]
/9/33 MWP to WBF, 2 May 1967 – refers to an invitation from the British Officers’ Club [on verso]; she is invited with an ‘escort’; will take Charles Moffley; she looked up the speakers in ‘Who’s Who’; is meeting Maurice and his tax man for the purpose of organising the Friends; is overwhelmed with work; on a formal dinner she went to with Charles Moffley; on Logan Kerr; has given Leslie (Penny) Woods to Freddie; discusses Penny’s father; on Freddie; discusses the appeal for a teacher in Primitive Art at Denison University [on verso]. 2 leaves (autogr.) [on verso:] B. Hubert Cooper, President, the British Officers Club, to MWP, 26 Apr. – invites her to a dinner to receive a miniature decoration of her medal; on the guests of honour and speakers (tp.); Dr James W. Grimes, Chairman, Visual Arts Dept., Denison University, to MWP, 17 Apr. – on needing a replacement for their teacher of Primitive Art; describes the post (tp.)
/34 John [d’Amico?] & MWP to ibid., 3 May – on a trip to Valley Forge; on lunch; MWP refers to her OBE (autogr. pc)
/35 MWP to ibid., 5 May – on her visit to Logan Kerr; on some of the items in his collection; on discussing terms for Kerr to give his collection to the UM; thanks him for the catalogue of Ullman’s show (autogr.)
/36 Ibid., 6 May – on the Alvin Nikolais Dance Theatre; is reading Lévi-Strauss’ ‘The Savage Mind’; there is no further word from Frank about Rhodesia; it may be possible that she will not be allowed in; Frank needs encouragement; Sister Sarah wants her to go to Kumasi; is going to meet the Ghanaian Adviser on Cultural Affairs; on John Taylor; on Meaugé’s book; is working too hard at Bryn Mawr; she has a new disciple, Richard Field, who professes enormous interest in African art and in her (autogr.)
/37 Ibid., 7 May – had a letter from the Times saying they could not use her letter but would pass it on to Sir Frank Francis (autogr. note on the back of an envelope)
/9/38 Ibid., 15 May 1967 – mentions Expo 67; had a letter from Frank McEwen who is doing better in Rhodesia than he expected; he is coming to the USA for 6 months from Sept.; she wants to bring about 1000 pieces to hold a series of shows; has announced WBF’s arrival to her Board and artists; on her travel plans; was annoyed to receive a request from Frank for grants that should have come out of the official Travel Grant; will send funds for Miss Weir and Miss Carmichael but sees no reason for him to go to Dakar in Dec.; she will be in England then; would prefer to hear of his proposed journeys from him and not from Frank; she is fed up with the Senegalese (autogr.)
/39 Ibid., 20 May – has not heard from him about his American visit in Sept.; has had to go ahead with her own plans; on lectures she will be giving; he can go to Expo 67 with Kat and she can go in Aug. with ‘the boys’; all is well except she is disconnected from him; wants to come over in Oct. to fix up her flat; on certain financial commitments which she must take care of; outlines the details of her trip to Salisbury; judges that he approves (autogr.)
/9/40 Ibid., 24 May 1967 – his letter full of false accusations was a shock to her; it annoyed her that he asked about the Expo 67 dates; is writing on the back of letters to her; will not be in London in July; explains why; on financial matters concerning the Plass fund; on the money which Miss Weir, Miss Carmichael and WBF wanted; she thinks he could have told her in advance; discusses Richard A. Long [letter on verso]; WBF is apparently uninterested in her coming to London in Sept.; it will be hard for her to scratch out money for the Department to send him to Dakar; thinks the Trustees could scrape up the money; she plans to spend Oct., Nov. and Dec. in London; on the Bird of Ill Omen; on the untidiness of his office; the British Officers Club is having a dinner in her honour and giving her a small OBE in gold [see /9/33 verso]; she is so upset with him she is shaking; she is outraged that he is asking her to let him know quickly when she has been imploring him for a date for six weeks; on Rhodesia; on Frank; on her trip; on the Plass Fund; does not see why everyone waited so long and did not ask for a regular Travel Grant; asks about Burlington Gardens; asks him to let her know about her flat; she sent him a subscription to the New Yorker; asks if he noticed; does think he was rude and cruel. 5 leaves (autogr.); [on verso:] Richard A. Long to MWP, 22 May – was delighted to meet her and to see the UM’s Bakoto figurines; on Rhodesia (tp.); A. Floyd Myers, University of Pennsylvania, to MWP, 22 May – congratulates her on her OBE (autogr.); Nochem S. Winnet to MWP, 22 May – congratulates her on her OBE; C. Jared Ingersoll to MWP, 22 May – congratulates her on her OBE; […?], Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, to MWP, 11 May – she was great; refers to her lecture (tp.; some cut away)
/41 Ibid., ibid. – is sorry she was nasty in her letter posted this morning [/9/40]; surely he did not mean she should use the money she was going to spend in Rhodesia on his Dakar trip; if Frank gives up, asks what happens to his carvers; Eliot is back from Japan; Frank visited Eliot when he was getting up the Salisbury Conference in 1959; on flying to Montreal; on going at a weekend; on her flat; asks him to read the ‘mad’ letter and forgive her; tells him to be glad that Nan is unemotional (autogr.)
/9/42 WBF to MWP, 25 May 1967 – a decision about the new building is hoped for on 8 June; on the Lehmans returning to the US; Robin may contact her with a view to meeting Sturgis; on having a useful talk with them; her OBE was noticed in the Times; encloses a letter he sent to the Prof. of Geography at LSE on his use of the word ‘tribe’; refers to Kat’s letter about F. MacE.; the matter should have been allowed to die; Kat has no malice; on acting as a peacemaker in her depressions; tells her to snap out of it; tells her to write to Kat and say she got it out of proportion; she should not underrate Jim; the Hills have been bombed; they are unhurt; has written them a letter of sympathy; on the Plass Fund; assures her it is important that he go to Dakar; asks if there is accrued income in the Fund; it would be a help if she could provide Adrian and himself with basic documents about the Fund; on her apartment; mentions Nan. 4 pages (autogr.)
/43 Ibid., nd – on lectures he might give in America; asks her not to emphasize his political ulterior motive; one of his purposes in coming would be to do more work with her on the Plass catalogue revision; on finances; supposes she will have been to Kat’s by the time she gets this; went to Oxford for Christmas but everyone except him had flu (autogr., first page[s] missing)
/44 Ibid., 30 May – refers to her letter of 24 May [/9/40]; is grieved that he made her unhappy; assumes too readily that she knows how much he loves her; it did not occur to him that his letter would seem rude or cruel; she is the most important thing in his life; refers to his next letter [/9/42] containing his efforts to heal the breach between her and Kat; is anxious for her to live in London for substantial periods of the year so that there will not be misunderstandings caused by the time-lag between dispatch and receipt of letters; was hoping she was coming for six months; in the three or four week visits they never say or do all the things they intended; if they were in the same country they could relax; on the two Dec. Congresses; Adrian suggests WBF go to the first one (Prehistory); mentions the Fund; he told Adrian that he if he went to one Congress he really ought to stay for the other; on her referring to the $50,000; on the bird; is sorry to have caused her pain (autogr.)
/9/45 MWP to WBF, 31 May 1967 – on a party she had the night before; discusses the guests; it is hard for men to be friends with her; although she has been friends with many men, because she loves him whole-heartedly; refers to Dr Hughes; her diagnosis is manic depressive; on the Academic Procession at Bryn Mawr; got out his old letters and reread them; refers to the burden of anxieties she has made him carry; is sure she loves him more than she did in earlier life; refers to his ‘magnificent’ mind; on a lecture and fund-raising; has come back to God. 4 pages (autogr.)
/46 Ibid., ibid. – on being friends with Kat; on the Hill bombing; discusses the Plass Fund; on buying a head-rest for the Department; suggests they completely separate; she will write to the estate agents that she has changed her mind about living in London; asks why he does not marry Nan; he has triggered a depression for her; wishes he would answer her questions; discusses Expo 67; is going to do a lecture; is going to the ballet (autogr.)
/47 Ibid., post-3 June – is babysitting; is in the Gabels’ kitchen; is writing a tribute to Rattray which will mark the end of the Ashanti book; discusses Frank in some detail; encloses a thank you letter; describes the writer’s husband; on Freddie breaking his engagement; has promised to find him a substitute; outlines Freddie’s requirements (autogr.)
/48 Linette […?] to MWP, 3 June – on the weekend she and her husband spent with MWP; on seeing Dr Zervas; on her beautiful apartment; hopes the weekend will be the beginning of a friendship (tp.) [enclosed with /9/47]
/49 Sylvia Delliffe Strugnell to ‘Peggy’, 6 June – on the evening MWP gave her; thanks her; mentions her generosity (autogr.); MWP to [WBF], nd – on having a dinner for 30 classmates; on donating money (autogr. note added)
/50 MWP to WBF, 8 June – is happier for him than she was on receiving her OBE; it is a fine honour; will be with him on Saturday; describes the badge; knows how proud his mother will be; loves him and regrets that she cannot be with him. 4 pages (autogr.)
/9/51 Ibid., post-14 June 1967 – when she gets back from Africa will set up a Foundation, the Friends of Ethnography; refers to the $50,000 worth of Standard Oil of NJ stock that she is leaving to the BM; asks him to make an appointment with Frank and give the proposal serious consideration; on the Plass Fund; on her trip to Rhodesia which is very expensive; there are no accumulated funds; on other financial details. 3 leaves (autogr.,) [on verso:] Maurice Heckscher to MWP, 14 June – discusses details of the formation of an organization to transmit money to the BM. 3 leaves (tp.)
/52 MWP to WBF, 16 June – ‘all is forgiven and forgotten’; refers to his letter [possibly /9/44]; has been spoiled and admired by all and sundry; she probably needed his chiding; discusses Kat; Mary Roebling gave a dinner for her on the occasion of her OBE; she has ordered 40 copies of ‘Ashanti Goldweights’ for the guests; on two Americans being made to work in the road gangs; Bentley wrote about WBF’s CMG (autogr.)
/53 Frank [Francis] to MWP, 19 June – refers to her letter of 27 May [not held] about visits by members of the Department of Ethnography; Miss Weir’s visit to Israel looks very doubtful; on Miss Carmichael’s visit to Barbados; WBF’s trip is not until Dec.; she should feel relieved of any immediate calls on her; hopes her trip to Africa is satisfactory; on WBF’s MG (tp.)
/54 MWP to WBF, 22 June – on travel grants for members of the Department; she should know Miss Weir and Miss Carmichael better; they can learn a little from her; does not want to be considered just a source of money; he has not told her about the investiture; Bentley is happy about the CMG; if she does not get a flat she will stay at the Kingsley for Nov., Dec. and Jan.; mentions Nan; on the Rhodesian trip; he is the only mam she will ever love; Frank reveres her; asks if he worries about that (autogr.)
/55 WBF to MWP, 23 June – thanks her for the copy of Maurice Heckscher’s letter with her comments [/9/51]; he cannot ask Frank for an appointment; it would not be proper for Frank to consult him officially, bypassing Adrian; the only way to bring WBF into the deliberations is under her auspices; or it may be better for WBF to consult only with her; on the three separate matters which her letter covers; suggests a fourth matter; makes various points on the American Friends; goes into minute detail about the fund and various other financial matters; on Shelagh Weir’s trip to Israel. 6 pages (autogr.)
/9/56 MWP to WBF, 23 June 1967 – mentions Father Rooney; is very involved in Catholic education; has little time for anything else; on her gratitude for all he has put into her life; what is really important is him, African art and seeing life as a whole and loving it; is going to Terence Grady’s for dinner; her partner will be Father Klechotka; last night had Nan and David for dinner; on her galleys which came from L.H.; asks him to edit them for her; on dates for lectures she is giving; does not want Kat, Jim nor WBF to attend her lectures (autogr.)
/57 Ibid., 25 June [1967 as per postmark] – is doing very well; will post the galleys tomorrow to John; hates every word of the gold-weight book; feels her forte is in personal relationships; on Penny Woods; mentions Stevie; discusses in detail Stevie’s friend John d’Amico; discusses Freddie’s ex-fiancée Caroline; encloses her note; is having Father Coll and Brother Patrick to dinner; on the W.P. Fund; on Frank; a Dr Max Clutters who is mad about ibeji will be calling on him soon; discusses him; Richard Fields is expecting her to help him reorganize medical education; on a dinner she gave; the rise in postage rates has made her write more; asks if she should stop over in London for a few hours on her way back from Rhodesia; on her travel date; asks him to drop her a line. 5 pages including envelope (autogr.)
/58 Caroline [Gabel?] to MWP, nd – on a problem with parking; the police intended to tow her ‘dinosaur’ away; she explained that she had not intended to stay the night; thanks her for the evening (autogr.) [enclosed with /9/57]
/59 MWP to WBF, 30 June – has not written to him at Burg Wartenstein but hopes this will reach him promptly on his return; on the paper ‘In Search of Meaning in African Art: the Philosophical Gap’ [see MS 499/18/112.1]; she read it to Irwin Hersey; on dates for seminars; asks him not to tell Kat about the seminar she is giving; Kat’s attendance would put her off; on meeting him at Expo 67; mentions Sister Sarah; on Stevie and Freddie; has taken on another St Joseph’s boy; Nick and Richard think she can make better medical students of them; would like the dates set for Expo 67; will probably come to England in mid-Oct.; is getting comfort from the church; mentions John d’Amico; has many letters she would like to share with him; is very stable; refers to the loving kindness he puts into her life (autogr.)
/9/60 Ibid., 3 July 1967 – refers to his reply discussing the lawyer’s letter on the Friends [/9/55]; gives him some background; on the tax situation; on her own financial situation; on Stevie; on Janet Cochrane; on various other people [whom she helps financially?]; above all these men and women is her beloved WBF; on her mental and physical weaknesses; discusses the Foundation; wants to keep the Webster Plass Fund separate; none of her personal ‘benefactions’ are tax deductible; on the purpose of the Friends of Ethnography; on her plans for the Friends; on Adrian; on Expo 67. 10 pages (autogr.)
/61 Ibid., 8 July – refers to his letter of 6 July [not held]; is glad to have his blessing for the Rhodesian trip; on Frank; asks him not to worry about the Friends or the Plass Fund; on Miss Weir’s trip; is working on all her teaching jobs; asks for the lat pages of his Burg Wartenstein paper on the Philosophical Gap; is going to the Lessing Rosenwalds; Lessing won the Philadelphia Award this year; on Richard Field; on Sister Sarah; mentions her gratitude for all he has put into her life (autogr.)
/62 Ibid., 10 July – refers to his letter [not held]; on Frank; Father Jerome Coll is coming for lunch; discusses religion; on her faith and his faith; refers to the Congo troubles; she loves him more because she is being good and trying to be thoughtful towards her friends; is modelling herself on him; refers to the enclosed (autogr.)
/63 The New York Times, ibid. – ‘Art Collector, Meet the Tax Collector’. 2 leaves (newspaper cutting) [enclosed with /9/62]
/64 MWP to WBF, 14 July – on her flight; describes some of her fellow passengers; gives a lot of detail about the journey; F[rank] and P[at] met her at the airport; on touring the galleries; on dining at Janis’; it is better than to be there when the Congress was on; she wishes he was there. 3 pages (autogr.)
/65 14 July, Salisbury – cutting about MWP’s visit to Salisbury (newspaper cutting)
/9/66 MWP to WBF, 17 July 1967 – is enjoying everything except Frank’s worries about his private life; discusses this; hopes he can put across his plans for his artists; discusses the artists; on various dance groups she has seen; all the people she has met are against the government; mentions the last two pages of his Burg Wartenstein paper; a girl named Paddy drove her to a place called the Giants’ Playground; she and Frank had almost identical letters from Jehanne; asks him to send Jehanne’s thesis; no mail has reached her yet; there are shortages but the country is rich in some items (autogr.)
/67 WBF to MWP, 22 July – on her letters from Rhodesia; wishes he could be with her; hopes she will have plenty of pictures to show him; she has not answered his suggestion that they meet in Paris for a few hours on her way home; has fixed up bookings for Expo 67; gives details; on Kat; he will spend a week with Kat and then a week with her; refers to Mrs Pope’s show; on Frank misunderstanding about Jehanne; on his investiture; his guests will be his mother and BEBF but it would be wonderful if she were in London to celebrate with him; mentions his US trip in Sept.; mentions the Queen Victoria Memorial Museum in Salisbury whose ethnologist is Elizabeth Goodall; mentions the museum at Bulawayo under his friend Roger Summers; discusses his jury service (autogr.)
/68 MWP to WBF, 24 July – wishes he were there; on the landscape; on Frank; on the art of the people; on Pat Pearce; Frank believes that the Africans still cling to old faiths and old sureties; she is not sure; feels lost and downhearted; Africa is so magnificent; it cannot be that there is nothing left of the real Africa; would like to stay for ever but is too old and responsible for too many people; will be able to help Miss Weir; expects to be home on 1 Aug. (autogr.)
/9/69 Ibid., 29 July [1967 as per postmark] – on the details of her return trip; the visit has overstimulated her; has done all the things he suggested except Bulawayo; has also seen much that he did not see; outlines some such things; on staying with Pat Pearce, who drove them all over Inyanga; was entertained at the artist Mariga’s village; describes the village and the festivities; also visite Tom Blomefields’ farm; on the stone carvers; on a dance performance; has hundreds of good photographs; on the Shona and their artefacts; Frank is the victim of a persecution complex; on the government in Rhodesia; will send a cheque for Miss Weir as soon as she gets home; her own trip has cost more than she expected; it is amazing how Africa has gripped her; on Frank’s private life; looks forward to meeting him at Montreal; does not want to go to Cleveland; has a seminar to prepare. 4 pages (autogr.)
/70 Ibid., 1 Aug. – is returning to the States with great sadness; mentions the riots; has not really written to anyone since she went to Rhodesia except him; her thoughts were confused; she needs to talk to him; discusses Expo 67; she learned to like the Africans she met in Rhodesia; on Frank’s artists; Frank wants to send 1000 pieces to the USA; asks if WBF thinks Frank should have an exhibition; discusses Frank further; Salisbury is not really interested in art (autogr.)
/71 Ibid., 5 Aug. – Salisbury seems far away; on the riots; uncertainty and doubt defeat her spirit; on Sister Sarah; on Montreal; David is going at the City’s request and expense; on her flights; has the money for Miss Weir; will be able to send him to Dakar; has not heard from the estate agents; the Kingsley is the best bet if she does not get an inexpensive flat; on Frank McEwen; she met George Fortune in Salisbury; she also liked Michael Gelfand; on a book ‘Modern Makonde Sculpture’; looks forward to Father Carroll’s book; mentions that WBF was referred to in the magazine Nova as ‘Sir William Fagg’ (autogr.)
/72 Ibid., 7 Aug. – has come down with a depression; is going into the Institute for shock treatment; hopes to be in good shape to meet him at Expo 67; on Kat; more on her health; has had the page proofs from John Taylor; mentions some corrections; is in no condition to read or correct anything right now; it is impossible for her to do anything creative; discusses the details of the shock treatment; hopes he will not tell Roy she is in depression; asks about A-M Pope; is wondering how an African Show will go down at the present moment (autogr.)
/9/73 Warren M. Robbins to MWP, 9 Aug. 1967 – he suggested that she put together a show on African styles and their relation to modern art; Irwin Hersey had another idea, of an exhibit of goldweights in conjunction with the publication of her book; asks if she would put together such a show (tp. with autogr. response by MWP – said no on all counts; mentions Hersey’s catalogue)
/74 MWP to WBF, 10 Aug. [wrongly dated 1966?] – on David going to the Montreal show; he is on a committee to help design the 200th anniversary of independence in 1976; is at the Institute of the Penn. Hospital; Nick and Thalia are returning to Harvard; is up to her neck in work; she measured all the goldweights she could; thinks she forgot to post them; only a few were big; enjoyed meeting the good Rhodesians; thanks him for Kevin Carroll’s book; on going to Montreal; she has lost weight and feels depressed and hopeless; she saw another side to Frank McEwen; mentions Richard Field; on a letter from Frank McE.; will do her best to get the measurements in the post tomorrow. 3 pages (autogr.)
/75 MWP to WBF, 15 Aug. [1967?] – on her depression; on the riots; mentions the Arab-Israel war; the Congo and Nigeria are fighting; on a greenstone sculpture from Rhodesia; on Frank; on her proofs; she simply hates the book; had a letter from Kat asking her to come to Cleveland after the two days at Expo 67; on David attending officially in order to get ideas for the World’s Fair in 1976; on the way she is feeling; Nick Zervas is returning to Harvard; Francis Gibbs is in hospital with pneumonia; encloses letter from Warren Robbins [/9/73]; her friends are good to her but she cannot pull herself together; at least she is not threatening suicide; refers to his two letters on the subject; refers to the Friends; Americans are too worried about money to want to help any foreign institutions; on meeting him on 11 Sept. 5 pages (autogr.)
/9/76 Ibid. 23 Aug. 1967 – has been overdoing it; Father Coll has been for lunch; they discusses her seminar at St Joseph’s; mentions Stevie; on the students; she stopped writing as she had a lot of visitors; it is now 24 Aug. and Irwin Hersey is coming; on his seminar and her own; on the Jesuits she wants WBF to meet; is going to a supper party at St Joe’s; mentions Jerome Coll and Freddie Schwarz; discusses John d’Amico; St Joseph’s, La Salle College and the Medical Mission Sisters are all very good to her; on her depression; asks him to send his American programme; wants to take him to the Rosenwalds; on their collection; also wants him to meet Richard Field; he understands manic depressives as he is one himself; on her work with the MMS; on her faith; discusses Frank; on the Friends and the Plass Fund; discusses details of the trip to Montreal; has not heard from Mrs Pope for over a year; will bring the Friends of the BM papers with her to Expo. 5 pages (autogr.)
/77 WBF to MWP, ibid. – is sorry that she is depressed again; there seems to be no easy solution; refers to her shock treatment in Feb.; is sorry to learn that she is disappointed in Frank; he needs to know if she had rows with Frank or told him what she thought of him; asks her not to write him off; on arrangements for going to Montreal; mentions Roy; has been overworked writing TV scripts and working on her book; it will be a pleasant and interesting book and she should be proud of it; Shelagh Weir left for Israel last Sunday (autogr.)
/78 Ernst Anspach to ibid., 25 Aug. – welcomes her back; mentions that she is almost as good a cook as an Africanologist; mentions his family; is planning a pilgrimage to Phila.; encloses a missive [/9/79] to Robert (autogr.)
/79 Ibid. to Robert Goldwater, ibid. – is honoured by his invitation to show a part of his collection in the museum; discusses various details to do with this; [on verso:] MWP to WBF, nd – on proofs; will have him scan them at Expo; everyone says the Expo is a mess; on Father Carroll’s book; mentions Ernst; she wants WBF to meet some of her new friends; refers to exciting news about the MPA; mentions Junius; on an Inca show; she will be nice to Frank (autogr.)
/9/80 MWP to WBF, 27 Aug. 1967 – does not think Frank knows she does not care for his character; on Irwin Hersey; on Richard and Helen Fields; on arrangements for going to Montreal; is not looking forward to the trip; she mailed the measurements to John Taylor; on her health; on the Fathers and the M.M. Sisters who pray for her; on her doctors; his depression-abating letters do help her; on her ‘fine’ new friends; will be so glad to see him (autogr.)
/81 Irwin Hersey to MWP, 30 Aug. – on the day he spent with her; has given Ernst all the joint slides; asks if she can get the slides back to Ernst by 15 Oct.; wil try to improve their collection in the museums of Switzerland (tp.)
/82 WBF to ibid., 3 Sept. – on flights from Montreal to Philadelphia (autogr.)
/83 Ibid., 4 Sept. – encloses a letter [not held] he has done for Adrian; thinks he will adopt a negative attitude; he is keen on putting the stores in the Cricklewood building; has had a reply on behalf of Miss Fenwick of the Art Gallery; on arrangements for the trip to Montreal (autogr.)
/84 MWP to WBF, 5 Sept. – on the proofs; has too much to do; on John d’Amico; mentions Bill Sharpe; the china she ordered from Harrod’s arrived broken; on ways of giving him money for Miss Weir; mentions Sister Sarah (autogr.)
/85 Ibid., 9 Sept. – on the seminar at Denison; has signed her will and signed the Foundation Papers; will bring duplicate papers when she comes to London; had a complaint from Prof Tony Bailey who said Sheila spent two and a half hours with her showing her the Burmese stuff, which was not protected; they have particularly good Burmese art and weavings at Denison; on the way these are stored; on silks which she and Webster gave to the museum; on the BM’s reputation being hurt; Miss Bailey had photographs made and sent from the BM (autogr.)
/86 WBF to MWP, 6 Oct. – has had an advance copy of ‘Afr. Min.’ [‘African Miniatures’]; is delighted with the whole book; still does not know the American publication date; is sorry about the complaint from the girl from Denison; discusses it; on the basement in question; on the conservation of textiles (autogr.)
/9/87 MWP to WBF, 9 Oct. 1967 – the book arrived on Saturday; thanks him; on people who were here for dinner; Brother Patrick and Jerry have restored her faith in the priesthood; she and Mortimer had a long talk about the Foundation; asks about Adrian’s mental condition; on Frank’s resignation; on a sort of contract which she got from John Taylor; Mortimer realizes that WBF is the most important influence in her life; discusses the Foundation further (autogr.)
/88 WBF to MWP, 10 Oct. – has received a summons to his investiture on 7 Nov.; his mother and brother will be his two guests; it would be lovely if she could be there to celebrate with them afterwards but he thinks she has a lecture on 8 Nov.; refers to Frank’s retirement; looks forward to hearing how she likes the book; Praeger flew 300 copies over last week; they should have picked a date; discusses a point about the cover; is busy with his TV scripts (autogr.)
/89 MWP to WBF, post-13 Oct. – refers to his two letters; on the Denison seminar; on other teaching she is doing; Jehanne Teilhet came for dinner; mentions Freddie; Praeger is going to town over the book; she is besieged by people who want her to plug it; has important dates up to 20 Nov.; asks about Mrs Betty Burns; mentions Adrian; on money she has received for WBF’s travel to and from Cleveland; on Kat; wants to help the people who are poorly paid; on Bob Thompson and Nancy; on WBF receiving her royalties; on giving money for Shelagh, Carmichael and himself; will talk to the Department about the Plass Fund; on other financial issues; on Burlington Gardens; on Adrian. 4 leaves (autogr.) [on verso of leaf 1:] Dr James W. Grimes to MWP, 13 Oct. – thanks her for her presentation of African Art to the students; encloses a cheque for her fee; asks for her appraisal of the Dahomey Leopard Figure in Iroka wood (tp.)
/90 WBF to MWP, 14 Oct. – refers to her letter of 9 Oct. [/9/87]; is glad she likes ‘Afmin’ [‘African Miniatures’]; on Brigitte Menzel who is in London; her book will be a complement to MWP’s; genuine goldweights must be a good investment; asks about the brass head of Simpson’s; it is kind of her to think of assigning her royalties to him; the way to do it is to change her will; discusses the travel fund (autogr.)
/91 The Philadelphia Inquirer, 29 Oct. – ‘Roast lamb and underwater explorations’ (newspaper cutting about MWP’s book) [enclosed with /9/92]
/9/92 MWP to WBF, 30 Oct. 1967 – on travel arrangements for coming to England; all goes well; on her book and exhibition; asks her to show the enclosed [/9/91] to John Taylor; is having a print made for publicity; on a visit by Charles Ratton and Madeleine; thinks she will go to Amsterdam for a day to see Adolf Schwarz; on a Dutchman named Romen[?] who is Schwarz’s friend; also wants to see Lemaire to try to get something decent for the Meltzers; on the Hampton Institute symposium plans; on Caroline (autogr.)
/93 Ibid., c. Nov. – her travel plans have changed; she feels fine; on the reviews of her book; on TV and radio appearances; John Taylor sent her some reviews; on Richard Long; on various supper parties (autogr.)
/94 Ibid., 12 Nov. [1967] – is busier than ever; on the reception for the Hampton Institute; on Richard Long; on some of the artefacts on display; on some items she has bought; on Mortimer’s stroke; is glad he knew she organized the Friends; on people who will contribute; is glad she will see him before he goes to Africa (autogr.; leaves missing?)
/95 William A. Fagaly, Isaac Delgado Museum of Art, New Orleans, to MWP, 13 Nov. – on her book on Ashanti goldweights; encloses copy of his paper on the subject (tp. with autogr. note from MWP to WBF on Fagaly’s paper)
/96 MWP to WBF, 19 Nov. – on travel plans; asks him to ring John Taylor to tell him she will pay for the books on arrival; asks him to tell Jehanne Teilhet she will be in London; perhaps they can plan Christmas together; her radio and TV shows are going well; asks him to ring the Lehmans; loves him dearly but is in a rush; on the farewell party for the Zervases (autogr.)
/97 Kat Reswick to ‘Granny’ [MWP], 28 Nov. – refers to the shock of WBF’s illness; he will be thinner now and will take better care of himself; wishes the catalogue had been finished; the anxiety about it interferes with her grief and worry over his health; the space[?] beyond the catalogue is one of relief (autogr.)
/98 MWP to WBF, Dec.[?] – on Elisabeth Lang, whom they met in Montreal; outlines some of her plans; hopes to see him; will try to find a good dressing gown for him; it is wonderful to see the improvement in him; on people who have sent their love; on giving him a private room for Christmas; on his mother’s visiting hours so that MWP does not coincide with her (autogr.)
/9/99 Ibid., 1 Dec. [1967 as per postmark] – it was wonderful to see him talking better last night; encloses a note from Kat [/9/97]; wrote and told her that WBF would work on the catalogue during his convalescence; on a secretary; on the files; his desk is still piled up with correspondence but she is making headway; is driving down to Cochrane’s at 2.30; hopes to see him on Sunday night (autogr.)
/100 Ethel & Dave Meltzer to MWP, 7 Dec. – on WBF’s recovery; on her health; anything she buys for them will be satisfactory; the prices at the Freeman Auction for the Mullen African Sculpture were fantastic; are planning to invite Freddy to dinner (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP to WBF)
/101 MWP to WBF, 8 Dec. [1967] – hopes the Princess Mary Hospital is comfortable; was hurt at his rudeness to her; it is ridiculous that he puts on this manner to impress his mother; he also neglected to thank Nan for the fruit; she [Nan] would not marry him; gives a critique of his character; from now on she will take a more impersonal attitude towards him; has paid for Miss Weir’s and Miss Carmichael’s trips; Frank has accepted a job with the American Library Associations; his [WBF’s] correspondence is up to date; hopes he will have his blood pressure taken before returning; asks him to endorse a cheque. 4 pages (autogr.)
/102 Edith & Lessing Rosenwald to MWP, ibid. – Lessing will follow up her suggestion about writing to the Times about the BM Library; on the death of Ben Spruance; on Francis Bosworth; they send best wishes to Sir Frank and Lady Francis; her message about WBF was good news (autogr.)
/103 MWP to WBF, 9 Dec. – on her health; on the weather in London and Philadelphia; the office is in good order; discusses a luncheon after the Trustees’ meeting; mentions Burlington Gardens; on Adrian; mentions Leon; on WBF’s health and weight; common sense should tell him not to overeat and to work at his exercises; when his mother dies no one is going to pamper him like she does; she [MWP] has loved him dearly for 22 years; on his manners; she knows he thinks her a burden and a hindrance but she would love to see him married to a sensible girl like Nan; is sure she would not have him; on Mortimer’s blood pressure and her own; hopes his mind has not been affected; asks him to stay at Princess Mary’s until he is much better; when he goes home to Barnes he will slip back into old habits; she will not come to see him at Barnes; his mother thinks she abuses him and does not appreciate him. 4 pages (autogr.)
/9/104 George Allen to MWP, 12 Dec. 1967 – refers to ‘young Charles’; on the children; on ties and socks; if she finds a nice goldweight in London she might buy it for him; little George must be the youngest reader alive of her book; on the weather; on Freddie; discusses Mrs Rosemarie Schwarz; on Joe Head’s 60th birthday party; tomorrow is going to Edna Andrada’s affair; his Urartu group (tp.)
/105 Tommy[?] […?] to ibid., 13 Dec. – thanks her for the evening they spent together; thanks her for the dedication in her book; shall leave it lying around when visitors are expected; wishes her a Happy Christmas (autogr.)
/106 Kat Reswick to ‘Granny’ [MWP], 21 Dec. – refers to her letter [not held]; needs a layout from WBF; on Jim’s mother; on Georges Rodrigues; describes two little pieces he had; has been sending cards and things to the hospital; any sign of life from WBF will help break the anxiety; on going skiing; hopes WBF continues to improve (tp. with drawings)
/107 Roy & Sophia Sieber to ibid., 26 Dec. – on WBF’s illness; are still not certain how ill he was or is; reports vary; ask her to convey their love; gather that MWP is holding the fort at the BM; send Christmas and New Year wishes (autogr.; some torn away)
/108 MWP to WBF, 31 Dec. [as per postmark] – begs him to write to ‘this girl’ [Kat Reswick; see /9/106]; Kat is being nagged by the museum, the printers and her own ambition; on errands she has to run on Monday; shall ring him from the museum (autogr.)
/109 Gerald Parsons-Smith to MWP, 3 Jan. 1968 – reports on the improvement in WBF’s condition; his speech is more fluent; her help has played an important part in helping him (tp.)
/110 MWP to Kat Reswick, 23 Jan. – is seeing WBF at lunch time; will give him one more lecture about her catalogue; is returning a nervous wreck from her weeks in London; gives her WBF’s address; has no idea what good it will do to write to him; the Post Office is quite a distance from his house; she nags him incessantly about the ‘Katalog’ (tp. with autogr. note)
/9/111 Ibid. to WBF, 31 Jan. 1968 – is debarking tomorrow; has had an unhappy trip; has managed to fight off depression; on a cabinet she bought; on matters in his office; has some of the Bob Thompson correspondence with her; on Thompson’s exhibition; the MPA is co-sponsoring the show; will have to call Thompson; will do nothing about the Foundation until Burlington House is sure (autogr.)
/112 Ibid., 7 Feb. – on her finances; Mortimer is sick; sends the dates for the symposium [on verso]; asks him not to go away anywhere as his job at the museum is a full-time job; refers to the deplorable condition in which she found his desk; refers to his awful reputation for not answering letters; on Kat’s catalogue and the Adam book; she cannot afford to bring him to the States for the symposium; she has two lectures in the next two weeks; mentions Richard Long; she is fighting depression; is rushing to answer the question about Hampton; refers to what she did at the museum; hopes there have been replies to the Times letter. 2 leaves (autogr.); [on verso:] [Richard Long?], College Museum, Hampton Institute, to MWP, 1 Feb. – on the Symposium on Traditional African Art to be held 6-10 May; hoped that WBF would be able to participate; gives more details (tp.; page[s] missing)
/113 MWP to WBF, 18 Feb. – she is in a deep depression; black horror envelops her; Bentley writes about crises at the museum; has no idea whether the Times letter sparked any replies; discusses some artefacts; on finances; on the dread which comes with depression; she cannot overwork or overtax her strength as she did in London; fears he will let it all slip back into chaos; he must not overtax his strength either; refers to a TV programme; knows how fearful his mother must be to let him out of her sight; on giving a lecture (autogr.)
/114 WBF to MWP, ibid. – is sorry she is depressed; it could be brought on by overwork; is hopeful of finishing or nearly finishing the Katalog by the end of the month; on his weight loss; the two shirts fit beautifully; on the Trustees’ lunch; the Trustees wish him to take an important part in the exhibitions; on his health; on Digby’s health; it is a relief to work in his office now it is up to date; will not slip back; on his typist (autogr.)
/9/115 Ibid., 25 Feb. 1968 – on her depression; he is getting on quite well; the doctor wants him to stay on half-time until the beginning of Apr.; on a talk he had with Frank; on Adrian; the Trustees want WBF’s expertise in organizing exhibitions to be used; is keeping up with correspondence; the desk remains clear; shall finish Kat’s text this week with luck; answered Richard Long saying that he would come; on leave arrangements; is not sure if the doctor will let him go; if so, is thinking of coming 1 or 2 May for a fortnight or so (autogr.)
/116 MWP to WBF, 27 Feb. – on her depression; is trying to keep out of hospital until Thursday when she will say goodbye to Kat; on the Katalog; is going to the doctor’s this afternoon; will do her best not to be put in the Instittue; was in good shape in England but on getting back she went into depression; discusses Dr Janusz (Zamryski) Rawicz-Wyszomirski; she made a poor judgment in trusting him; she treated him generously and he told her she tried to buy him; Langton and Gowers did several favours for him; asks if he paid them; if not, she will reimburse them; she has two of his pieces on loan which she will try to sell for him; she realizes she is being silly about it all; on sending a box to Robert Farris Thompson; mentions A. Schwartz and Pat Hazard; her visit to Hampton was very discouraging; Black Power is very strong at Hampton. 4 pages (autogr.)
/117 Ibid., 29 Feb.-12 Mar. [1968?] – on Bob Thompson’s formal request, which is not in her personal file; asks if he has looked in Thompson’s file; is very confused about everything; when she gets to the Institute she will have to stop thinking and worrying, if treatment is to be successful; asks him to let her know if he cannot find Bob’s request; is now in the Institute; on her depression and treatment; was discharged on 6 Mar.; Kat told her that WBF’s mother was ill; has no recollection of the shock treatment she had; mentions the weather. 3 pages (autogr.)
/118 Ibid., 29 Feb. – Kat brought her the rest of the manuscript; has made no progress in controlling her unhappiness or depression; every day she has a fresh charge of hopelessness from the papers and the news; on owing him money; on the Hampton seminar and symposium; the news he writes of the museum is discouraging; on AD; all the pieces she has brought home are cracking and splitting; mentions some pieces Kat was crazy about; mentions Kathy (autogr.)
/9/119 Ibid., 13 Mar. [1968?] – is just home from the Institute, where she has been for nine days; Kat told her of his mother’s illness; asks if she should come over to keep house for him; she feels better than she did a fortnight ago; outlines what she could do to help him; this country is in a very bad state and she misses England; asks if she can send him some money; she could leave at a few hours’ notice; has been no good to him for the last few months and wishes to help him; mentions David and Bill; on a letter from UNESCO who are sending him copies of his ‘Art of Western Africa’ and ‘Art of central Africa’; asks him to say as soon as possible if he would like her to come over.4 pages (autogr.)
/120 John Picton to MWP, 13 Mar. – refers to her letter [not held]; thinks WBF is looking remarkably well and is pleased with life in general; if he does not overeat or overwork he should be all right; hopes WBF will keep his office as tidy as she left it; on Miss Hughes; he does not know anything about the Trustees’ meeting; hopes all goes well with her biography of Oba Esigie; tells her not to overwork; thanks her for all her kindness towards him (autogr.)
/121 MWP to WBF, 18 Mar. [1968?] – has been readmitted to the Institute after only two days at the Barclay; her doctors agree she should not be alone in her apartment; on the things which depress her, personal and global; on Sister Sarah; would like to marry him and take care of him; she worries about him more than about Mortimer, who has a younger wife; discusses the new BM; on Bobby Kennedy; asks if he would marry her if his mother should be institutionalized or die; she thinks it would benefit him; on her general state of health (autogr.)
/122 Ibid., 22 Mar. – is still in the Institute; there are some interesting patients; she has a gift for getting on with loonies; on her visitors; is serious in asking him to marry her; when his mother dies she should have the privilege of looking after him; they could take a flat across from the BM; her doctors say she must not live alone; has asked the Cochranes to let her have Alison for six months or a year; on politics[?]; Father Coll wants to say a Mass of Thanksgiving in her flat; asks what his BP and his weight are (autogr.)
/9/123 28 Mar. 1968 – is going back to the Barclay tomorrow; on the Institute; on the inmates; on her shock treatment; she has received the Merlyn Evans catalogue; discusses the Pole; asks him not to mention him again to her; encloses a letter [not held] from Jehanne; on Father Bill Rooney; on the Thanksgiving Mass in her drawing room; lists those who will be present; on Peggy Kehoe Kooner[?]; since he will not answer about marrying her, she is planning to have him marry Peggy; describes her; plans to live in this bed-sit when she can no longer run her own flat (autogr.)
/124 Bearnes’, Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, to MWP, 1 Apr. – enclose photographs of some items of Ibo art which may be of interest; they will be included in a sale of 24 & 25 Apr. (tp.) [phot. 115791-115793]
/125 MWP to WBF, 4 Apr. – will be happy to welcome him on 25 Apr.; asks if he is on a diet; asks if he can exercise; on Tamara and her little boy; Richard Long rang but she was too sick to talk to him; David spoke to him; on the symposium in Hampton; asks if he is working on the Adam book; asks about Eliot; on the weather in Southern Virginia; on going to the shore with Bill and David; on a fall she had; on her injuries; includes a drawing; on the Thanksgiving Mass (autogr.) [phot. 115794]
/126 Ibid., 5 Apr. – is still feeling awful; on Richard Field who is sick; on various doctors; on a 95-year-old man who wants to sell his Ibo things; discusses the items; she suggests buying one for him and one for herself; on sending Langton down to bid; they will fly to Hampton on Sunday night; on 25 [May] she has to go to a Conference on Racism; they would love to have him; on the murder of Martin Luther King; refers to his ‘horrid friend’ Bobby (autogr.)
/127 Kat Reswick[?], May Day – certificate ‘benighting’ Bill o’Gaff to ‘Dis-Order of the Begun but not Faggotten’ (autogr.)
/128 MWP to WBF, post-13 May – gives her opinion of the figures [mentioned on verso]; asks him to write to tell her what he thinks they are (autogr.); [on verso:] Richard H. Frye, St James Episcopal Church, to the Curator, UM, 13 May – Miss Olga Raggio of the Metropolitan Museum suggested he write for possible information about three figures which he has been unable to identify; encloses a photograph; gives some details (tp.)
/9/129 Ibid., 31 May [1968] – it was a national holiday yesterday and she worked harder than usual; on cooking lunch for Richard Long and Ernst Anspach; on her health after her fall; on a call from Kat; her doctors do not want her to do anything; Japan is out of the question; alludes to BEBF being sick; she feels ill a lot of the time (autogr.)
/130 Kat Reswick to ‘Granny’ [MWP], ibid. – even if she was sleepy it was good to hear her voice; at least they exchanged some news; on the Katalog; is distressed at WBF’s inability to write letters; refers to BEBF’s situation; discusses some artefacts; on the invitations for 9 July; invites her to stay; David and Bill could come too. 4 pages (autogr. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/131 MWP to WBF, 5 June – thanks him for writing; on a call; feels on the verge of another depression; on the three of them, plus Mortimer, all having strokes; on having clots removed; refers to the attempted murder of Bobby Kennedy; is seeing an ear specialist; on a cheque she got from Studio Vista; asks him not to go to Japan (autogr.)
/132 Ibid., 7 June – on a letter from a bank; she feels awful; on the temperature; asks if he is going to Kat’s opening on 9 July; wishes he would drop her and Kat a line as to his time of arrival; gives details about her health; everyone says she will be good as new in six months; she has not rushed things; refers to his being in Oxford (autogr.)
/133 Ibid., 8 June – on a letter from Bentley telling her about Sir John Wolfenden; on a friend’s opinion of Sir John; on some financial matters; she feels awful; on a dinner party she went to; has too much to do; is taping a piece for Richard Long on ‘Connoisseurship in African Art’; on her health; George Rodrigues and Hersey are coming over; on George Allen going to see Bobby Kennedy’s Funeral Train; asks him to write (autogr.)
/9/134 WBF to MWP, 17 June 1968 – on BEBF’s progress; encloses his Cleveland cheque; hope it eases her balance of payments; on a figure he bought at PB’s; asks that she pay for it; on arrangements for the figure; has also placed bids on two items in Wednesday’s sale; asks that these be dealt with in the same way; on Jehanne’s letter to BEBF; hopes to see her in a day or two; on Kat behaving with foolishness over a piece which she wanted to include in the catalogue; he sent a cable [see MS 500/4/1/9] saying it was a highly probable fake; if she included it, she must say that it was without his knowledge; cites the caption she concocted for the piece; on a letter he sent her [not held]; refers to Kat’s letter to MWP [/9/130]; on travel arrangements; on his lecture; feels he has a tendency to stammer after his stroke but Frank Willett said he has not; on Drimmer’s[?] letter; on the photographs she sent him; asks her not to work too hard; the Cleveland trip is the main thing in the next month; on Dan Biebuyck. 4 pages (autogr.)
/135 MWP to WBF, 18 June [wrongly dated 18 July] – has just taped a piece on connoisseurship in African art; on the paper he gave at Hampton; on New York; mentions Richard Long; a singer named Bobby McGeorge came to lunch; on a headrest; mentions George Rodrigues and Ernst Anspach; she cannot stand the New York group of collectors; Kat expects them on 8 [July?] (autogr.)
/136 Ibid., 21 June – refers to his letter; on Kat; on a mask which is a fake; on flight reservations for their trip to Cleveland; on her doctors; on her operation; on her symptoms; hopes he can stay a long time in Philadelphia; is writing to Long about WBF’s paper (autogr.)
/137 WBF to MWP, 22 June – on his travel arrangements; they must take precautions to ensure that she does not become over-tired in Cleveland; on his lecture; on BEBF’s progress; on Jim Reswick (autogr.)
/138 MWP to WBF, 24 June – asks him to cable her his time of arrival; has seen an eye doctor; went to Norristown; Freddie is going to Mexico and Guatemala; on social events; on her fall; mentions BEBF; mentions David; hopes he brings cool clothes; mentions Richard Field; she thinks of him, BEBF and the BM all the time (autogr.)
/9/139 Ibid., 25 June 1968 – Ann McMillan wants to tape his Hampton talk for publication in African Forum; she is planning a radio programme; on getting permission from Wenner-Gren to use the tape; on Richard Long; mentions James Baldwin’s latest novel; David is arranging for him to be taped on 11 or 12 [July]; she has no idea how long he [WBF] will be there; housework makes her tired; on trying to get Stevie into medical school; mentions Bill Sharpe; people have told her she looks well but she feels miserable (autogr.)
/140 WBF to MWP, 27 June – she will be interested in the enclosed [/9/140.1]; quotes from a covering letter from Adrian; on pieces in the sale which he suggested that Robin should buy; on Benin heads and the prices they fetched; on other items and the prices they fetched (autogr.)
.1 WBF to Adrian Digby, 26 June – recounts how he was asked to bid for a lot in a sale, with Sir Kenneth Clark’s authority; there were two pieces being offered by the Prince de Ligne; was told that one, the cup, had been withdrawn; was not sure what to do but decided to bid on the other item; was told that the cup had been stolen; hopes the Trustees feel that he used their money well; if the cup turns up he would recommend bidding for it. 2 leaves (tpc. with autogr. note to MWP about the report’s confidentiality)
/141 MWP to WBF, 19 July – refers to the enclosed from Bentley [/9/141.1]; the letter to WBF which he speaks of did not come; on the weather; she is forgetful; is constantly thinking of him, his mother and BEBF; wonders about the ‘Digby business’; on Bill Sharpe; and Amsterdam dealer is coming (autogr. note)
.1 Bentley [Bridgewater] to MWP, 15 July – is sending WBF a letter; apologises for not having written sooner; on her health; he feels sorry for WBF and the rest of the Department’s staff; it will be a talking-point at top BM levels; on her Christmas plans; tells her to get WBF to tell her about the new Assistant Director and other BM things; has not yet talked to WBF; thanks her for her letters. 4 pages (autogr.)
/9/142 Kat Reswick to ‘Granny’ [MWP], 23-24 July 1968 – refers to her letter [not held]; had thought she might not make it to Cleveland; it could not have been the same magic day without her; Negroes, Black Nationalists and Africanists are coming to the show; asks about a Philadelphia newspaper writing about the phenomenon in Cleveland; on Roy Sieber and his lecture; refers to Thompson and police dead; has not heard from WBF (tp.)
/143 Bill Sharpe to ibid., 23 July – on Stephen’s attitude to medical school admission; discusses his chances; on WBF’s and BEBF’s illnesses; on ToTo (autogr.)
/144 MWP to WBF, 26 July – asks him to thank Kat for the hardback catalogue she sent him for BEBF; on the heat; mentions David, Freddie and Stevie; mentions Sister Sarah; is not suicidal but sees no future for her country; on the Lawes (autogr.)
/145 Ibid., ibid. – hopes he did not reach home to find BEBF worse or his mother ill; refers to the strains put on him at Cleveland; suggests he write to Kat; refers to the riots and looting in Cleveland; has had no trouble of much account in Philadelphia; Freddie’s car was halted by a crowd of Negro boys; on riots in other cities; she is depressed and with good reason; asks him to write to Kat; Richard is coming for lunch; he is low in him mind himself (autogr.)
/146 Ibid., 29 July – has had no word from him to say he had arrived safely; has had no news of BEBF or his mother; heard from Philip Allison that BEBF was worse; refers to the strain of life in Cleveland; her powers of concentration are worse; asks him to thank Kat for sending the book for BEBF; reminds him of the piece for African Forum; thinks it is bad for him to be going to Japan; hopes his health can stand it; she is feeling very depressed; on the Black Power movement (autogr.)
/147 WBF to MWP, 13 Aug. – refers to his comparative silence; explains the museum business which has kept him busy; is also busy arranging his Tokyo trip; on the money he is taking; discusses the matter of the armlet; on Adrian; on BEBF’s progress; on a trip through the Cotswolds; hopes her silence does not meant that she has retreated to the Institute; does not think she has a depression in the old sense; is happy about the situation here [in the museum]; his Keepership will start next June; refers to the possibility of having another stroke if too vast a scheme is put on his shoulders (autogr.)
/9/148 MWP to WBF, 14 Aug. 1968 – this will arrive in time to wish him bon voyage; was glad to have his itinerary; Kyoto and Nara were the best of Japan for her; on her bad memory; on the conditions in America; on the news from Biafra; is glad he is departing from Philadelphia; will be glad to see him; on the Democratic Convention and Humphrey; on Rockefeller; hopes he is not overworking as Keeper (autogr.)
/149 Ibid., 16 Aug. – hopes this reaches him before he takes off for Tokyo; is glad he wrote about the trustees’ enthusiasm for the armlet; mentions Kenneth Clark; both of them must guard against another clot; on the Bulu collection from Mrs Kerr; on the Bulu people; would like to fly back with him to London from Tokyo; maybe she could clear up the backlog of his correspondence; his mother must be proud of him; on BEBF (autogr.)
/150 Ibid., 8 Oct. – is much better although working too hard; on her health; Kat arrives tomorrow; on arrangements for her visit; refers to his handwriting; on Bill Wixom; asks if Adrian has left yet; on a sale at P-B for the benefit of the Biafrans; the school troubles are stupendous; has no fixed date for coming to London; mentions Louise Cochrane; asks him to pray that she does not need more surgery; she depends on him (autogr.)
/151 Ibid., 10-12 Oct. – has no intention of going to the Davises in Ouagadougou; Kat wants to go but probably will not go without MWP; Kat’s opening is tonight; on people staying with her [MWP]; on her health; on the Davises and their house; on a Peruvian show at the Guggenheim; David’s show of Kat’s collection is better than Cleveland’s; on Mortimer; everything went well (autogr.)
/152 Ibid., 15 Oct. – asks his opinion of this list [on verso]; Pat Hazard is an excellent teacher; asks if she should come over at Christmas with Bill and David; on accommodation they would arrive on 19 Dec. for 21 days; on Kat’s show; she [MWP] is involved with at show at the PMA for Frank Graham; on her health; is worried that she has not heard about his or BEBF’s health; is going to buy English air letters, address them to herself and enclose them in letters to him; Nick Zervas wants her back on Dilantin (autogr.) [on verso:] book list for a course taught by Patrick Hazard at Beaver College (mimeo.)
/9/153 Ibid., 23-24 Oct. 1968 – asks after him and BEBF; has sent Atlanta money for Richard Long’s conference; is feeling fairly well; asks if she should come over at Christmas; on Hersey who has been to Budapest Museum and the Africa Museum at Nijmegen; he bought some nice Congo pieces; she and David are working of a show for the Philadelphia MA; the Arenberg collection has two fine Fangs; Kat’s show is going well except no Negroes come to see it; asks about the museum; asks him to write; she worries over him, over BEBF and over his mother; on Nick Zervas; on Dr Will Sweet of Harvard who is vaguely troubled about her head; on Hersey’s remarks about the African section of the BM; on a leak at the museum; asks if the Francises are still there; asks him to write again (autogr.)
/154 Ibid., 25 Oct. – is beset with problems; Glenn Bernard has been commissioned by the government to make a film of African history and tribal art history; this country is in a deplorable condition; the show at the Phila. Museum of Art is meant to give Black youngsters a feeling of security; on school parties going to Kat’s show; the PMA show will mostly use material borrowed from the UM and local collectors; encloses Pauline Boymel’s suggestions [not held]; asks for his comments; the only art history Glenn approves of was ‘Nigerian Images’; is going to a meeting about the Thomas Eakins House; on the members of the committee concerned; it is proposed to hold arts and crafts classes in the house; on the Negro painter Tanner; is dining at the Franklin Inn Club; is worried at not hearing from him; on the weather; on David’s work. 3 pages (autogr.)
/155 Ibid., 27 Oct. – has bought him a staff by Bamgboye as a Christmas present; all her pieces are at the Cosmopolitan Club and she misses them; describes the staff; three different couples brought her pieces of African art for her to look at today; has too much to do; would feel cheerful if she had a letter from him; on Kat’s show; wishes there were not so much anti-Americanism in London; asks him to write (autogr.)
/156 Ibid., 29 Oct. – on forgetting to renew his subscription for the New Yorker when she was having brain surgery; had a letter from Allen about flying to Ouagadougou; wants to be in London for Christmas and Paris for New Year; David wants to go with her to Ouaga; on health precautions which must be taken in Upper Volta; because she heard from him her depression is gone; if she finds any nice things on the trip she can bring them to London en route home; was at the Institute yesterday for tests; on Allen’s house; maybe WBF could visit him (autogr.)
/9/157 Ibid., c. Nov.[?] 1968 – all plans have changed; she and David have to be back for the opening of the PMA show on 10 Jan.; gives a revised itinerary; she wants to meet Wolfenden; on getting a tiny flat; Marie-Thérèse is having her baby about Christmas; she is feeling well; is happy to hear from him; hopes he will like the Bam[g]boye; he could come to Paris to see her off for the Upper Volta Republic; on a fake Bateke; asks him to reply soon (autogr.)
/158 Allen Davis, the Foreign Service of the United States of America, to Le Directeur de l’Office Malien de Tourisme, Mali, 8 Nov. – between 19 Dec. and 4 Jan. 1969 hopes to travel with a party of three or four other Americans to Mopti, Bandiagara, Sanga, and Tombouktou; would appreciate boat and train schedules for travel between Mopti and Tombouktou; also asks for air schedules and brochures; asks about hotel and boat reservations. 2 leaves (tpc.) [on verso:] MWP to WBF, nd – refers to the travel plans; asks for his ideas and plans before he goes to Mexico; found Mopti and other places on her map (autogr.)
/159 WBF to MWP, 2 Nov. – refers to her letter; is delighted at her fine spirits; discusses the American election; thinks he might come with her to Wagadugu if she subsidises him; asks if she is just visiting Haute Volta or Mali as well; mentions Bamako; it might be more worthwhile to look at the Kurumba; he could manage two or three weeks in Jan.; tells her not to take a snakebite kit; he could stay in a hotel if Allen’s house is not large enough; on Kat (autogr.)
/160 Ibid., 9 Nov. – he is replying in kind as all his plans have changed; was meaning to reply that her new plans suited him but thought he should wait; but BEBF was told he has not recovered enough to go to Mexico in Dec.; Kathleen Kenyon suggested that WBF go in his place and present the models[?] of the new PRM at the ICOM conference on museum architecture; outlines the travel arrangements; suggests she come to Mexico City, then fly with him to Paris, then on to Wagadugu for Christmas; on his leave at the BM; thinks this trip would be good for her (autogr.)
/9/161 Ibid., 10 Nov. 1968 – hopes she will have a mass said for Freddie; he prayed for him; hardly thinks it possible that he took his own life without making dispensations; it is sad that they will not see him again but he is well out of his problems; hopes she will reconsider the trip to Mexico City; is sure she would enjoy the colloque; he will present BEBF’s scheme and also the plans for Burlington Gardens if it can be fitted in; tried to think of something to say on those exhibition papers but could not think of anything; the emphasis on jazz debases the coin of African art; more stress should be laid on the traditional African arts; Langton has been on the point of leaving but seems to be having second thoughts; asks her to give Betty Fetter his love (autogr.)
/162 MWP to WBF, 14 Nov. – has to be in Philadelphia for the opening of the PMA show on 10 Jan.; on her travel plans; will write to Allen to see what dates he prefers; on a cruise in a boat with air-conditioned cabins; she feels fairly well; has to watch her blood pressure and weight as he does; Rodrigues gave her an Ashanti brass ring (autogr.)
/163 Ibid., 17 Nov. – the prospect of the Mexican trip appals her; on ‘Mexican tummy’; has not heard from Allen about Ouaga; he may have flown to France; no one from her museum or the PMA is going to IKOM; the museum could not spare David for all that time; on a letter from Caroline Gabel, Freddie’s ex-fiancée; she [MWP] is sad about his lonely end; on Freddie’s health; is doing a TV thing on Kat’s show on 21 Nov.; had a lovely mass for Freddie at Fox Chase (autogr.)
/164 Ibid., ibid. – hopes he is right about Freddie; on a letter from her which Freddie kept; her and David’s plans are now quite definite; outlines the travel arrangements; on financial matters between them; Allen wants to drive to Mopti and take a boat; will leave the plans to him and Allen; supposes he cannot stay tool long; asks him to let her know when he arrives; she feels well; on visas and thots; asks if she should make a reservation for him Paris to Ouaga 24 [Dec.] with theirs (autogr.)
/9/165 Ibid., 30 Nov. 1968 – she, David and Bill Bertolet are flying to Paris on 19 Dec.; they fly back on 9 [Jan.] for the opening of the ‘Discovering African Art’ at the PMA; is spared the effort of a catalogue when she is so busy as there is no money for one; received a book on Cross River monoliths from Philip Allison; wishes there were some way of having him in the Department; Frank and Kitty are coming the weekend of 13 Dec.; on some things she bought from Rodrigues; Rodrigues says Mopti is the most unhealthy place in Africa; is going to Ouaga from Paris on 23 July; on Kat and a fake Batetela; asks how long he can stay in Africa; the museum is planning to send David; thought she might come from Pairs to London at New Year’s then home on 9 [Jan.]; a selection of Jesuits are having a dinner party for her; on Brother Patrick, who was a special friend of Freddie’s; she misses Freddie awfully; WBF should have written more often while she was going through that; will pay his fare Paris-Ouaga and return (tp. with autogr. note)
/166 Ibid., early Dec.[?] – is reserving at the Pont Royal in Paris; there is no room in London; if he has to be back by 8 Feb. there is no use in his coming to Ouaga as he would only have two weeks; shall telephone the Kingsley to reserve two doubles there; she, David and Bill leave on 19 Dec. and return on 9 Jan. 1969; perhaps two weeks is worthwhile; on the river trip; she had to call the Mexican consulate to get the address of the Hotel Romano; is sending PanAm cheques for all these [see verso]; expects him to fly to Ouaga with them on 23 Jan.; if she is too tired to do things in Paris he is not to force her; feels awful from a typhoid shot; David may not be able to go as Fro is in Libya and Italy (autogr.); [on verso:] Anthony Planamento, Pan American World Airways, to MWP, 29 Nov. – confirms reservations for her, David Crownover and Katherine Reswick; WBF is confirmed on one of the flights (tp.)
/10 1969-90 Margaret Plass Papers
/1 MWP to WBF, 2 Jan. 1969 – on New Year’s Day; mentions Mrs RP; his mother said he was coming on 8 Jan.; has written asking him to bring photos from Taylor; he probably has not heard from her as services in England are affected by absenteeism; discusses money; is firing Pearlie-Mae; on her health; discusses the news; on Mortimer; asks him to cable if he is not arriving on 8 Jan. (autogr.)
/10/2 Ibid., 3 Jan. 1969 – has had all her shots for Africa without any reaction except headaches; has given up alcohol; discusses ‘The Mossi of Upper Volta’ by Elliott Skinner; Kat wants to expand the trip to include the Ivory Coast; David and she must stick to Allen’s itinerary; on WBF’s travel arrangements; on the river trip; on visas (autogr.)
/3 Ibid., 14 Jan. – on his UTA booking; on flying first class; discusses money; the exhibition at the PMA is beautiful; on buying things in Africa; on the fact that so much of the BM’s African art is in store; some people named Marder may drop in on him; discusses them; asks him to bring a mosquito net from London; on Allen; on Mortimer’s management of her estate (autogr.)
/4 Ibid., 11[?] Feb. – Allen just brought WBF’s letter [not held]; on travel arrangements for coming to London; on some artefacts which she will bring for him; on Koulikouro; mentions Mrs Shalmir[?], the Israeli chargé’s wife; on Kat’s movements; on their social engagements; asks him to make hotel reservations at the Kingsley; on an object which Kat bought [with drawing]; mentions a Baule Allen got. 2 leaves (autogr.)
/5 Ibid., 2 Mar. – is home; on her health; there is no word of the boxes; on Kat; is glad she saw Burlington Gardens; is glad she went to Africa (autogr.)
/6 Ibid., 11-12 Mar. [1969?] – is in the Institute again; on her health; asks if he would like copies of her slides; on a note Richard left for her; on the things she brought home (autogr.)
/7 Ibid., 21 Mar. – the boxes have been air freighted from Ouaga; on her health; wishes he were safely married to ‘Hecuba’; has not heard from him for so long that she is afraid something is wrong; Nick Zervas wants her to see Jost Michelsen, a neurosurgeon with a collection of African art; Richard is moving to Boston; on Jefferson; she cannot control her pen; was hoping to come to England in Apr. with Mrs Rose-Price but has to wear the cast on her foot for four more weeks; Rodrigues brought a Bambara to see her (autogr.)
/8 Ibid., 22 Mar. – on her health; cannot come tyo England on the ship because she might fall on the ship; is still wearing a cast; on Hermione; hopes he will have a son who will be just like him; asks if she should send back his letters (autogr.)
/10/9 Ibid., nd – decided she would live in a cottage in England but this would upset his plans; on going home; on the cast; mentions the Newburgers; tries to remember all the wonderful things that have happened in her life but it does not do much good; tells him to remember to talk to his mother (autogr.)
/10 Ibid., 5 Apr. 1969 – on Easter; is home from the hospital; discusses her injured foot; the box from Ouaga arrived safely; on a sad letter from Allen Davis; asks if he would like photographs of the pieces bought for the UM; is reading ‘Nigerian Images’ aloud to her nurse; Richard Field has hepatitis (autogr.)
/11 WBF to MWP, Easter Monday [7 Apr.] – asks her not to talk about their love in the past tense; it will never come to an end or diminish; her visit would not upset his plans; he is looking forward to her visit; is sorry about her injured foot; asks her to excuse bad writing (autogr.)
/12 MWP to WBF, 13 Apr. – did not mean to cast him off like an old glove; it is difficult for her to think of him in love with Hermione; she would jump at the chance of marrying him; is sailing to England on 15 Apr.; is going to Cornwall and Devon; will not come to the BM; on Mrs Rose Price; the main purpose of the trip is to give her a rest from visitors and the museum; all the African stuff arrived safely; Nick Zervas and Richard have implored her not to go the BM; on her arrival time at Southampton (autogr.)
/13 Ibid., 8 June – has been invited to speak at Atlanta University about their trip to Upper Volta and Mali; asks him to send her some slides; had a talk with Fro about the future of museums; has not been very well; mentions the Richard Bulls; hopes his mother is feeling better; on some Ashanti stools; has some nice new African things; is going to the Met to see the MPQ stuff; will send a catalogue (autogr.)
/14 WBF to MWP, ibid. – [illegible due to water damage] (autogr.)
/15 MWP to WBF, 29 June [as per postmark] – is working on ‘African Miniatures: Small Sculptures of the Guinea Coast’; wrote to John Taylor about it; on the photographs; discusses various artefacts; is too busy to come to England until possibly Christmas; mentions Richard and Helen (autogr.; incomplete)
/10/16 Ibid., 13 July 1969 – has been working very hard; is going to Atlanta in a few hours; wishes he or John could let her know if Lund Humphries will do the book of small sculptures; has already given a successful talk on their last trip; asks about the Yao people; asks when he is coming over (autogr.); [on verso:] Barry R. Peril to MWO, 26 June – on a Yao sculpture; on a similar piece being identified as Makonde (tp.)
/17 MWP to WBF, post-21 July – on Clive Driver, the Director of the Rosenbach Museum; asks for some photos of Plass Collection pieces; specifies these; on pieces she wishes to include as illustrations (autogr. card); Clive Driver to MWP, 21 July – thanks her for the dinner party; enjoyed seeing her pictures of Africa; Marianne Moore spoke kindly of her (autogr. card)
/18 WBF to MWP, 23 July – is in the best hotel in Algiers [Hotel Aletti]; is being treated as a VIP; the exhibition is not so good as Dakar; on pieces which stand out; Nigeria has sent nothing; refers to her enquiry about when he is coming over; will not be coming over unless his requests for pieces come unstuck; on money from Mrs Pope; begs her to come in Aug. or Sept. (autogr.)
/19 MWP to WBF, 28 July – asks him to write for her birthday; on despatches from Algiers; mentions her book; on a bronze perfume bottle in the BM; George sent her contacts of some pieces from Anspach’s collection; discusses George. 2 leaves (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage); Georges D. Rodrigues to MWP, 20 [July] – sends contacts of pieces from Ernst’s collection; is going to Cleveland tomorrow; on pictures; on her dinner party; will not have a chance to go to Philadelphia again before going to Europe (autogr.; water damaged)
/20 MWP to WBF, 5 Aug. [as per postmark] – encloses thank you letters for her dinner party; she showed slides of the last trip; asks him to tell her what he thought of the Algiers do; is glad they were good to him; asks if he got a slide of her new Baluba which she sent; on an art dealer from Geneva named Gérald Cramer (autogr.)
.1 Seymour Adelman to MWP, 11 July – thanks her for the dinner party (autogr.)
.2 Lessing & Edith Rosenwald to ibid., ibid. – thank her for the dinner party (autogr. card)
.3 Brother Patrick Ellis to ibid., 23 July – thanks her for the dinner party (autogr. card)
/10/20.4 Business card for Gérald Cramer (printed)
/21 MWP to [WBF], 6 Aug. 1969 – on the photos in the Plass Catalogue; has lots of the book written but wants to avoid an expensive photographer; on Ashanti goldweights; on going to see ‘Midnight Cowboy’; she might come over for 21 days on 3 or 4 Sept.; she is under doctor’s orders not to come over or fly back alone; would come with Dan Slack; the Kingsley is too expensive; wonders if someone could lend her a flat; could bring over most of the photographs; has to go to a wedding on 6 Sept.; asks him which dates he prefers (autogr.)
/22 Ibid., 9 Aug. – on her birthday celebrations; her days are so crowded that she cannot work on the book; will bring as many finished photos with slides or plates as she has; hopes the BM will let her use the blocks they have from the Plass Catalogue; lists the pieces from the Plass Catalogue which she wants to use[?]; the purpose of the book is to show the monumentality of miniature pieces of African sculpture; can only come on the dates she mentioned; on travel arrangements; on pictures she wants; he has not written since his arrival in Algiers. 3 pages (autogr.); [on verso:] flyer for an Afro-American Dance Ensemble on 7 & 8 Aug. (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/23 MWP to WBF, 20 Aug. – could not hear a word he said during Sunday’s conversation; on his meeting her at London airports; Bentley is alarmed that she has no reservation; Fred Duerr will reserve at the Cavendish for her 16 Sept.-7 Oct.; is going to leave addressed air letters with him; she cannot go through the worry when he does not write for a month (autogr.)
/24 Ibid., 24 Aug. – asks if he has seen the Times Literary Supplement review of the Katalogue; discusses it; quotes from it; on her cousin Katharine; is going to visit Bob and Nancy Thompson; hopes to hear from him before she leaves for London on 16 [Sept.]; on the weather; has lots of the book written (autogr.)
/25 Ibid., 4 Sept. – refers to the ‘enclosed’ concerning a reservation; on Mrs RP; has about 100 prints for the new book; discusses some of the pieces in it; David has written the introduction, she has written the preface; discusses the book in general; on people who love the book; asks him to make her an appointment to see John Taylor (autogr.)
/10/25.1 Fred [Duerr?] to MWP, 29 Aug. 1969 – on a hotel reservation; refers to her Sunday Bulletin clipping; on his new girlfriend (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/26 Randee Tecklin[?] to MWP, 7 Sept. – thanks her for the exquisite jewelry (autogr. card)
/27 MWP to WBF, 9 Sept. – is glad he will meet her on 16 Sept.; wants to buy a few things; on taking a taxi to Carlton Tower; is in excellent health; asks where John Taylor is; she may take a weekend in Paris with Bentley; will not go with WBF as she is sick of the Musée de l’Homme; Nick wants her to buy him some pieces; on her new escort, Paul Kelly; on the Gabel wedding; she must buy some goldweights; on her dog; asks if he has progressed with Hecuba (autogr.)
.1 Philadelphia Inquirer, nd – ‘Mary E. Gabel A Saturday Bride’ (newspaper cutting) [enclosed with /20/27]
/28 MWP to WBF, pre-16 Sept. – has the introduction, preface and about half the long captions finished; on her hotel reservation; on seeing John Taylor on 17 Sept.; the pictures for the book are marvelous; if it is inconvenient asks him not to meet her; asks how much she owes him (autogr.)
/29 Fr Abbot to MWP, 2 Oct. – on her frequenting of episcopal churches; on writing an oblate letter; tells her she should not go to non-Catholic services; shall tell his sisters to drop her a line at the Connaught; hopes she will manage to voyage to Pinner. 4 pages (autogr., with autogr. notes by MWP discussing the writer)
/30 MWP to WBF, nd – plans to see him all but two nights a week; Father Abbot wants them to visit his siters in Pinner; on the Connaught (autogr. note)
/31 MWP to WBF, 15 Oct. – reached home on 7 Oct.; contracted flu; on the flu epidemic; on Frank Francis; mentions Anna Maria’s catalogue; David’s Gauguin show is a success; on Jim Burke of the Fogg coming; he is going to have an African show; she suggested he show small objects; mentions Mrs R.P. (autogr.)
/10/32 Ibid., 20 Oct. 1969 – on Anna Maria [Pope] and her colleague Lawson; their problem is Ekpo Eyo who will not answer cables; on Anna Maria’s catalogue; hopes he feels well; was sick last week; on Mrs R.P.; asks him to write; she has not written yet to Hermione although she is grateful for her supper party; it is almost a year since Freddie killed himself; Brother Patrick sends his best wishes (autogr.)
/33 Ibid., 28 Oct. – is sick; Bill Bertolet is flying over on 28 [Oct.]; mentions the Medical Mission Sisters; hopes Anna Maria is not worrying him too much; on David’s Gauguin show; is praying for him; it worries her that he is so tired; on John Taylor; asks after BEBF (autogr.)
/34 Ibid., 2-3 Nov. – the Makler Baga will not do; the photograph of the Bulu will be taken on 4 Nov.; she can post him a print; Frank said he found Anna Marie very difficult; if they had said that WBF was cataloguing the show, they would have had more enthusiastic replies; on her health; Ekpo will loan all they want; will send a photo to the Museum; Frank said nice things about him; hopes he finds Lugano pleasant; asks him to drop her a line if there are more questions about the Washington show; she will do anything to help (autogr.)
/35 Ibid., 14 Nov. – is worried over him and his mother; she rang and there was no reply; supposes that one of them was too ill to travel home; on Mrs Pope and Lawson; they sent her 37 catalogue entry forms; she told Mrs Pope she could not write them; sends a list of the figure section sheets not received; asks if he would come and finish the catalogue if she sent him a ticket; she cannot come at Christmas (autogr.)
/36 Ibid., 17 Nov. – David will have the Babwende photographed tomorrow; would love to fly to Lugano, possibly in the Spring; will be all right now she knows he is well and safe; on the state of the country; the show is called ‘African Sculpture’; mentions Jacqueline Delange and the Musée de l’Homme; David is about to do over their African Gallery; is sorry about not coming over at Christmas; she is broke; the National Gallery show will have two Grand Openings; on her Yorkshire terrier (autogr.)
/10/37 Ibid., 30 Nov. 1969 – came back from the hospital on Friday; all her tests were negative; on Sister Sarah; read BM News of Eccles and found it bad; is going to a concert of chamber music; mentions Leff’s show at the Carnegie; they have had some wonderfully happy ties together; thinks about him constantly; has Pearlie Mae to look after the flat (autogr.)
/38 Ibid., post-5 Dec. – on the price museums must pay to have this show; on the Seated Figure of Tada; Lawson sent this sheet [on verso] and letter on 5 Dec.; is feeling fine; was only in hospital for five days; went to hear ‘Cendrillon’; it was her first time out at night since the depression began; is anxious to get to work on neglected correspondence and bills; on her weight; is glad he is coming directly here instead of to Washington; on Pearlie Mae; has had a hard time living on her income; asks him to ask Hermione to send her a priced catalogue of the sale with the old Balubas in it; is so glad he is coming. 2 leaves (autogr.); [on verso:] News Release from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, about the exhibition of African sculpture which will open on 28 Jan. 1970; the pieces will include the Seated Figure from Tada; the exhibition is under the direction of WBF (tp.); Edward P. Lawson to MWP, 3 Dec. – has received all the entries for the ‘African Sculpture’ catalogue from WBF; is indebted to her for her aid (tp. with autogr. note by MWP)
/39 MWP to WBF, 21 Dec. – on their farewell; on the torn cartilage in her knee; on Mrs RP; has done nothing all day; admires his work at Burlington Gardens; sends some money for catalogues and her BM Association dues; wonders where he and his mother will spend Christmas; asks him to drop her a line that he forgives her (autogr.)
/40 Ibid., 31 Dec. – sends good wishes for 1970; she is well and interested in getting to work on that book; on Barry Peril and a nimba he has on approval from Klejman; on WBF’s travel arrangements; Barry can get a grant to bring the National Gallery African show to the UM or to the Art Museum; on Barry’s own collection of art; has not heard a word from Bob Thompson; mentions Biebuyck; has so much to tell him; asks him to let her know if 9 [Jan.?] is a definite date (autogr.)
/41 WBF, nd – text headed ‘Ms. Found in a Bottle at Kerguelen Island, 1970’, on psychiatrists in the United States (autogr.; water damaged)
/10/42 MWP to WBF, 12 Mar. 1970 – refers to his letter [not held]; she knew how much he had to do when he got back; she has been almost as busy; describes what she has been doing; mentions the Marders; has mailed him some photos of pieces which Barry Peril is thinking of buying; on some pieces she has bought; a pupil of Bob Thompson’s has sent her a collection of Bundus[?] (autogr.)
/43 Ibid., 16-24 Mar. – on Bob Thompson’s review of WBF’s National Gallery show in the Feb. issue of Art News; David is working on the Animal Style of Asia show; she is going for lunch with Mr Gillon; mentions his pottery show; it is a shame Braunholtz did not live to see it; on the postal strike; on her health; on social engagements; asks him to write (autogr.)
/44 Ibid., 5[?]-26 Apr. – wonders if her brain surgery has affected her handwriting; on her health generally; people around her say she is more agreeable than she was; she still rather hates going out; the letter has been tucked in her desk for weeks; describes some things she has been doing; on Christopher d’Amanda; asks him to write (autogr.)
/45 Ibid., 20 Apr. – on royalties from Studio Vista; spent last weekend at Harvard with Nick and Thalia; on visiting Christopher d’Amanda; on his collection of Sudan art; on the Rochester Museum; on assembling an American Folk Art Collection (autogr.; some missing?)
/46 Ibid., 4 May – wishes he would write; she knows he is busy but is anxious to know how the African pots show was received and if he has a date for the opening of the new building; on that depends her coming to England; on having her flat repainted; on her money situation; on the Gillons; on the New York Times (autogr.)
/47 Ibid., 20 May – asks him to read this before he reads Canaday’s review; on a trip to New York to spend the evening with Mr Gillon; mentions a lot of people who were at the show; asks him to tell Mr Gillon that she would have written a thank-you letter if she had had his address; on Pearlie Mae; David said WBF looked wonderful when he saw him (autogr.)
/10/48 Ibid., 1 June [1970?} – hates to write slowly; Mr Tishman has been asking when WBF is coming over; asks after his mother; on a trip to Washington; people were asking when they could see him; asks him to come soon for as long as possible; she is going to Chris d’Amanda’s 40th birthday party in July; on having money of his; on the man who is taking his place at the BM; asks him to let her know when he is arriving (autogr.)
/49 Ibid., 4 June – on Canaday’s review of the National Gallery show at Brooklyn [see /12/49 & /12/50]; she has lost the cutting; perhaps someone else has sent it to him; on her lithium; mentions Thalia and Nick Zervas; mentions Christopher d’Amanda; it was a relief to hear that he is looking so well; on Richard Field; on her handwriting; is going to write to John Taylor; asks him for a line (autogr.)
/50 Ibid., 19-25 June – on his letter last week [not held]; shall be thrilled to go to Nigeria in Jan./Feb. 1971; on the Conservatives winning the election; on her handwriting; is about to write to John Taylor to aks to have her photos returned; is cat-sitting for Victor Marder; Dan Slack wants to go to Africa with them, as do Elisabeth and Justin Lang; on her health; asks if he is coming over for René Gillon’s show (autogr.)
/51 Ibid., 28 June – encloses a cutting from Auction; Dan Slack is driving her to Annisquam where she will be for a month; describes her cottage there; Thalia and Nick will have a cottage almost next door; would like a note from him on her birthday; she does not feel well; asks if he is slimmer than when she last saw him; is working on the book (autogr.)
.1 Notice of a bronze in an upcoming sale (magazine cutting)
/52 MWP to WBF, 12 July – is enjoying her month at Annisquam; describes her cottage; on shopping; she met Bernie Quint at a supper party (autogr.) [on verso:] Daniel Burke, La Salle College, to MWP, 25 June – the college has a duty to recognize significant achievements; invites her to receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws on 1 Nov.; is anxious to hear whether she will be able to be there (tp.)
/10/53 MWP to WBF, 9 Aug. 1970 – it is a long time since they wrote to each other; she has been ill; refers to her letter from Annisquam [/10/52]; on her time there; mentions Alfredo Duca; La Salle is giving her an LL.D at the autumn convocation; on Sister Sarah (autogr.); [on verso:] Sister Sarah to [MWP?], nd – on her qualities; the Sisters will be doing all they can to form a bulwark for her (autogr.; incomplete)
/54 MWP to WBF, ibid. – asks him to reply straightaway; David arrives next Sunday with Mr Kohler who is paying BEBF the costs of exhibiting Rattray’s goldweights; the U of P’s endowments have been cut by the pseudo-depression; she got David a one day a week teaching job; he is a good teacher; she needs to know the opening date of Burlington Gardens; she wants to finance the private view reception; on Mrs Rose Price; has accepted Richard Long’s invitation to attend an international symposium at Atlanta University; on Pearlie Mae (autogr.)
/55 Ibid., ibid. [continuation of previous letter] – on Annisquam; on her medication and her health; Richard Field is going to Harvard; she will miss him awfully; on two friends of Bentley’s; mentions Maysie [Webb]; Eccles has offered Bentley the direction of the British Museum Society; ‘Jack’ is leaving soon (autogr.)
/56 Ibid., Aug. [1970] – on someone’s wife named Linda; on her health and her treatment; on her three-day birthday celebrations; refers to his cable [not held] which arrived on her birthday; coming to London is impossible until she is better; her doctor refuses to accept that her age is causing her difficulty; on Al Duca; on a wedding she was invited to; Nick Z has become an aficionado of African art; asks him to dictate an acknowledgment of this letter; asks about the date of the opening of the new museum. 3 pages (autogr.; first page[s] missing)
/10/57 Ibid., 21 Oct. 1970 – has no idea when the new museum opens; there are other things she must do in London; mentiosn John Taylor; on pieces she has bought; on Allen Davis and his family; is going to a dinner to honour the new British Consul General; on Alfredo Duca; she can fly to London on 30 Nov.; she can only stay until 16 Dec.; she must have a date soon for the opening; asks how many invitations will be sent; gave her Mossi heddle pulley to TR IV and Connie for a wedding present; when she arrives she suggests he does not meet her; he always makes her feel guilty about taking a car but she is not well enough for buses; hopes he will know the date before she arrives; caterers need lots of notice (autogr.)
/58 Ibid., 25 Oct. – is going to Regis College in Jan. to give a joint seminar with Kat Reswick; asks if he has any idea of when they are going to Nigeria; on the date of the opening; she needs several weeks to deal with the caterer; is bringing him a camera with lots of colour film (autogr.)
/59 Ibid., 3 Nov. – she is now a doctor of Fine Arts; on the other people honoured with her on Sunday; was sorry he never mentioned this honour to her; it shows he does not read her letters; she plans to fly to London on 26 Nov. and return on 10 Dec.; on travel arrangements; is disappointed that he made no reference to Adrian’s awful letter; is sure no one in his departments cares to see her; mentions Hermione; she resents his neglect of her; is anxious to see the new exhibitions and hopes he has managed to dig up a few of Webster’s favourite treasures; if they send out two or three thousand invitations she cannot pay for the catering; had anticipated a small private view of about 300; she loves him but he tries her patience; he ignores her too successfully for his own and the museum’s good (autogr.)
.1 On the presentation of honorary degrees to MWP and others by La Salle College (newspaper cutting) [enclosed with /10/59]
/60 Thomas Dudley McCloskey Jr. to MWP, 25 Mar. 1971 – thanks her for her note [not held]; he and Bonnie would love to come to lunch; on a letter from Judy Connelly in Paris (autogr. with autogr. note by MWP on Philadelphia’s ‘Irishtocracy’)
/10/61 [Werner Gillon] to Rev. Anthony J. Lauck, Director, Art Gallery, University of Notre Dame, 30 Mar. 1971 – thanks him for the way in which he organized the show of African sculpture; he and Sally were most impressed; the event of 28 Mar. will remain in their memories; the presence of MWP contributed to the total success of the show (tp.; incomplete)
/62 MWP to [WBF?], post-3 Apr. – [the books] must be selling like hot cakes; everyone raves about the show; describes it; may do a fortnight’s seminar at Notre Dame next autumn (autogr.); [on verso:] Werner Gillon to MWP, 3 Apr. – sends her the goldweight book from WBF; adds his expression of love to that of WBF (autogr.)
/63 MWP to WBF, 22 Apr. – is paying about $4,000 to bring people to the symposium at Harvard; on Eliot and his pictures for a new book; she will tell Richard Long that WBF will be there on 5 [May]; on Marie Louise Bastin; on her leg being bad; David wants to discuss the Tribal Image show with him; there is no exhibition space in the new wing; on Richard Long; a friend has given her a Persian kitten (autogr.)
/64 Ibid., 23 Apr. – on pencils; discusses details concerning his visit in May; asks if he met the Schuttes[?]; BEBF can only come if Catherine were also invited; she cannot afford that; on Roy and Phil Dark; tells him what clothes to bring; on various visitors and social engagements (autogr.)
/65 Ibid., 6 Sept. – refers to his letter about his elbow [not held]; on how she feels; may come over with David at the end of Sept.; on David cancelling a trip to London; they want to buy several hundred Tribal Image catalogues; the show opens on 28 Oct.; on cheap hotels; on her finances; hopes he will not have a stiff elbow; on some items she has bought; on Katherine Salmon; she is looking forward to his visit. 4 pages (autogr.)
/66 Ibid., 26 Sept. – is glad he is out of hospital; there is a physical therapy department at Pennsylvania Hospital which can take care of him; on Vincent Price; refers to WBF’s letter inviting him to the opening of Burlington Gardens; David would like to know if he would like him to come and fly over with him; on spending the day at Rosemont College on its 100th anniversary; she opened a small exhibition of African Art; on various people who were there (autogr.)
/10/67 Ibid., 27-29 Nov. 1971 – on Thanksgiving; the BM-UM show is going very well; on being on the David Frost show; David tells her that he and the Pictons are joining them in Algiers; hopes he has removed his material from Allen’s garage; on her itinerary; asks about his fractured elbow; mentions Joe Namath; feels she is making a mistake in taking this long trip; apologises for awful writing; can only write slowly (autogr.)
/68 Ibid., 10 Dec. – she and David leave on 19 Dec.; on travel arrangements; has written to Allen telling him WBF might come also; no one has heard from him [WBF] since he left; mentions Bruce Inverarrarity; would like to know whether he will be in Algiers; they arrive in London on 21 Jan. (autogr.; some water damage)
/69 Ibid., 23 Dec. [as per postmark] – Waikiki is a crazy place; wishes he was there; describes their travels; thinks they will enjoy Algiers; on the weather; on the rest of her itinerary (autogr.)
/70 Ibid., nd – on ‘gourd masks’ (printed pc) [enclosed with /10/69]
/71 Ibid., 1 Jan. 1972 – on museums they have seen on their trip; wishes him a better New Year (autogr. pc)
/72 Ibid., date illegible [1972?] – has enjoyed every country except Japan; on the weather in Bangkok; on an ex-UM Orientalist who is being kind (autogr. pc)
/73 Ibid., 25 Feb. – has been worrying over the world; mentions Sister Jean, previously Sister Sarah; on her giving to charities; on the daughter of one of the Barclay maids; MWP has paid her tuition in parochial school; on the girl’s sister; the family is undeserving; David found the Congo figure which WBF bought at PB’s, also the Gelede mask; David did a good Benin altar; on school children visiting the museum; on a Princeton student who had visited Burlington Gardens; on her engagements today; she advised the Princeton boy where to study; on WBF’s mother and her health; asks him to write before he goes to Nigeria. 3 pages (autogr.)
/10/74 Ibid., 14 May 1972 – is in the hospital; is hooked on Nembutal; on people who have visited her; Katherine McBride is giving the address at Commencement at Bryn Mawr tomorrow; next week is her class reunion; on her health; mentions again the figure from Parke-Bernet’s and the Gelede mask; has been buying some very pleasant African art; itemizes the things; on David’s work in the newly-done gallery; asks about the Tribal Image Show (autogr.)
/75 Ibid., 22-23 May – is still at the Institute; still feels oddly numb; her cat is staying at Pearlie Mae’s; it ate some of Pearlie Mae’s fish; on the Marders; would like his opinion of various things; on the hospital; she misses her sleeping pills; hopes he wrote an article for the British Museum Society’s publication about the trip to Nigeria; the Marders plan to go there next Christmas; has bought some things from Georges Rodrigues; asks if he would come over if she sent him a ticket (autogr.)
/76 Ibid., 25 June – is marooned by flash floods; all roads to and from Philadelphia are blocked; on George and Peggy Allen; refers to the tragedies along the Schuylkill and Susquehanna rivers; the Bertolets brought her the King Tut catalogue; it is great, especially his interpolations; thinks he should send his essay on King Tut’s stool to the Sunday Times; on her health; the Bertolets were enthusiastic about their visit to Burlington Gardens; asks about the Tribal Images exhibition (autogr.)
/77 Ibid., 27 Aug. [1972?] – refers to his last letter [not held]; on her health; on her cat; her cousin Katherine Salmon was visiting; on visiting Paul Desjardins; on staying with Chris d’Amanda; David will not be back from Ghana until about Nov.; he has bought her a goldweight; she expects to come to London and Paris with David in mid-Dec.; refers to the calamitous summer (autogr.)
/78 Ibid., 13 Sept. [1972] – may be seeing him in London in a few weeks; on her health; David has returned from Africa; has been in New York for a week; on postponing her flight to Rome; describes Kerry [Fitzgerald]; on her travel arrangements; Rodriguez has invited her to Detroit; describes Kerry’s terrace; sends her best to his mother (autogr.)
/10/79 Ibid., 15 Sept. [1972?] – on a letter she asked the maid to send him; hopes he got it; hopes to give him the date and time of arrival in London, via a few days in Paris; on Kerry Fitzgerald; the excursion is impromptu and inexpensive; David said WBF will be joining them in Detroit for the terracotta show; that show moves to the Met in New York; while he is in Philadelphia they will be able to go to Kat Reswick’s show;; is off lithium and off sleeping pills; has just finished a catalogue for Dr Lewis of Morgan State College, Baltimore; on Kohler, who is like Bentley; it is very expensive here [Rome]; is going to see Grotanelli; on the weather; on a show at the UM for children; is looking forward to seeing him in London (autogr.)
/80 Ibid., 14 Oct. – on a trip to New York for the opening of Kat’s show of jewelry and textiles of Africa; on another exhibition; on the autumn foliage; Miss Hammond has offered her a house for life; she was a friend of Malvina Hoffman; still has no dates fro the terracotta show of Rodrigues; hopes he [WBF] will visit her both before and after going to Detroit; on the artist Esherick who designed the card; on a lecture (autogr. card)
/81 Ibid., 26 Oct. – has not heard from him for a long time; has no idea when he will be in Detroit or Philadelphia; on going to New York in Nov.; was there last week with David and Bill; on shows they saw; on a trip to Europe in Dec. with Katherine Salmon, Bill and David; on travel plans; hopes he will send her his dates so that they can coincide; on her health (autogr.)
/82 Ibid., 23 Jan. 1973 – is thinking of his poor mother; Betty Fetter died the day before yesterday; she and Ferd[?] had been married 46 years; David and Bill are coming to London in Feb.; they are both willing to bring him some money; asks him to let her know how his mother is; she herself is not very well; mentions Katherine Salmon and the cat; hopes he is taking care of himself (autogr.)
/83 Jerome Coll SJ, Regis College, Denver, to MWP, 2 Apr. – refers to the recent Bulletin story about the African Queen; it is his honour to know a celebrity; hopes to see her in May; will remember her in his Mass (autogr.)
/84 Dennis O’Brien, Middlebury College, Vermont, to ibid., 15 May – on spending an evening with her (tp.)
/10/85 MWP to WBF, 28 July [1973 as per postmark] – Sister Marie-Stella told her that WBF’s mother is much better; hopes this is true; has survived the spring and summer with only a fortnight in hospital; has been frantically worried over his mother; on the weather; asks when he can come over; is furious that the BM is willing to retire him so soon; one reason for coming over is to retrieve the burial cloth from Peru which she loaned to Eliot; she finally got it and loaned it to the Natural History Museum for a show of Peruvian textiles; mentions Junius Bird; a doctor friend of hers, David Haldeman, and his wife will be arriving at Burlington Gardens; on her health; wishes he could tell her he is coming over or that he could encourage her to come to London; refers to the money she owes him; asks him to drop her a line. 4 pages (autogr.)
/86 David [Crownover] to WBF, 3 July 1974 – MWP is worried about him; asks him to call her (telegram)
/87 MWP to ibid., Easter Monday [31 Mar.]-1 Apr. 1975 – is handicapped by her shaky hands; too many people called yesterday and she was so tired that she cancelled a supper engagement; Barbara Chandler took her to Mass yesterday; on David; on a Dan mask she bought; on royalties from ‘African Sculpture’; mentions Ernst and Rodrigues; is lecturing at Bryn Mawr tomorrow; there are shirts hanging in the guest room waiting for him to come and use them; is pleased he is helping at Christie’s; asks him to come over soon (autogr.)
/88 Ibid., 17 Jun – [illegible due to water damage] (autogr.)
/89 WBF to MWP, 21 June – refers to her letter; is coming over on or about 19 July, for five weeks; will use two on the Tishman collection; is sorry not to have been able to come before; for the last two months the possibility has increased that he must appear before a French judge in Paul’s case; refers to his new notepaper; on plans for his visit; discusses the television series ‘The Tribal Eye’ for which he was Series Advisor and in which David Attenborough is the anchor man; IBM will be sponsoring it in the States starting in Sept.; 2 IBM people were gathering publicity material; mentions TR4 and his wife; on a lunch they had with Dorothy Mahan; they then watched a special showing of a programme on the Qash’qai of Persia at the Television Centre; is doing quite a bit of work at Christie’s with Hermione; next spring they shall probably carry out a sweep or swoop of the United States; encloses an invitation to a party before the big July sale; mentions Werner Gillon (tpc.)
/10/90 Ibid., 14 Sept. 1975 – thanks her for her hospitality during his five weeks; it was good to see that she was not infirm at all; she must not waste her life after 80; her life will be longer if she stays active; some of her friendships seem to have grown rusty with disuse; refers to the possibility of Katherine living with her; in certain respects she [Katherine] is narrow; he must try to persuade her to take up writing, visiting and travel; if typing is difficult, she could dictate to a typist; discusses the benefits of travel; if she came to England he would be in her service; on his weight; suggests she might diet; suggests she resurrect her book on collecting (autogr.)
/91 Ibid., 2 Dec. – on the good news that she will be flying to England when the Gold Show closes; asks when it will be; on his two Rowland Hill Lectures for the University College of North Wales, to be delivered on 15 and 16 Feb.; he will do anything possible to go where she goes; on his ‘sweep’ round the States with Hermione; when he comes home he will start a course of slimming; discusses Leon [Underwood]’s death; Mary bore up very well; Michael Ayrton also died a week or so ago; on her accepting royalties for ‘African Sculpture: An Anthology’; on her bringing over his odds and ends; the letter’s arrival before Christmas is becoming problematical; hopes she will persevere with her intention of coming over; on spending last year’s Christmas gift voucher at Fortnum’s; he bought 3 ties; thanks her; thanks her for the New Yorker (tpc. and autogr.)
/92 Ibid., 19 May 1976 – it was wonderful to stay with her; on his talk on connoisseurship at Harvard; since his return, has been working of the catalogue of the Hooper collection; asks if she has decided about coming over in the summer; everything is favourable; on details of a possible trip; gives her a message fro Seymour about a lady, Shirley Kaufmann, who had an Eskimo sketch of a medical class; asks her also to show the letter[?] to David; will enclose copies of his 2 lectures (tpc.)
/93 Katherine Salmon to WBF, 7 July [as per postmark] – every time she sees a bicycle she thinks of him; on his sending orchids and taking them to a play; refers to calling him ‘Dollface’ (autogr. note)
/10/94 WBF to MWP, 16 Nov. 1976 – refers to her being there in June; on her going to Dakar over Christmas; suggests she take her paints; Goree is a paradise for painters; encloses photocopies of two articles; the first was written for Survival International Review as a comment on an article by Prof. [Tarn] [see MS 501/4/23]; on the phrase with which he concludes (tpc.)
/95 MWP to WBF, 5 Jan. 1978 – refers to his letter from Teheran [not held]; refers to Architectural Digest and Town & Country; a paragraph in the latter calls WBF the ‘greatest African expert in the world’; David is having an African show; on the Christie sale; feels fairly well; will be at Katherine’s over Christmas; wrote the foregoing before Christmas; on a fall she had at Katherine’s in which she broke her nose and 3 ribs; on the repercussions of the fall; on her visit with Katherine; on the weather; on Carter; refers to the UM.4 pages (autogr.)
/96 Sagafjord, programme of cruises spring, summer & fall 1979 (printed with autogr. notes by MWP to WBF – on the temperature; asks him not to meet her at Southampton; has no idea where to stay in London (autogr.; some water damage)
/97 Cyril Clemens to WBF, 22 Apr. 1979 – he has been elected a Knight of Mark Twain (tp.) [see also MS 501/19/63]
/98 Kat White to [WBF?], 27 Nov. – circular letter; on her move to Seattle; on Dick Anderson’s 70th birthday party; on the sale of her Pennsylvania property; on her drive north; on her 3 sons Tom, Henry and Ben; on visiting Martha in hospital in South Carolina; her house is still dark with boxes (tp.)
/99 Ibid. to WBF, Christmas 1979 – merry Christmas and a happy new decade (printed poster)
/100 MWP to WBF, 1980[?] – is sending with this note for the Trustees of the BM the bronze Benin girdle mask; she has not long to live; is almost blind and very deaf; she always intended to give this bronze to the BM in homage to him; he taught two American friends to appreciate the art of tribal people; she and her husband Webster became close friends of his; when her husband died 29 years ago, WBF became her best and trusted friend even though he is 30 years younger; he tried his best to Anglicise her; perhaps she Americanised him a little (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/10/101 Kat White to Friends, 9 Jan. 1980 – circular letter; on her new house; on her pets; on her sons; on Martha and her health. 2 leaves (tp.)
/102 MWP to WBF, 20 Sept. – forgot to retrieve her copies of ‘African Sculpture’ and the Plass Catalogue after his visit to Wofford; on her loss of memory; mentions Audrey Chancellor; is unhappy and discouraged but knows she should be grateful for blessings (autogr.)
/103 Ibid., 18 Nov. – on hearing about his broken hip; thinks someone might have dropped them a line; on Charing Cross hospital; reminisces about Webster asking her to provide scarlet blankets and tobacco for the ward; the Spartan diet will be good for his figure; asks him to get someone to give her an account of the accident; is sending him a dressing gown; there is no news about the headrest; on her health; on Mary Bertolet; mentions Pearlie; the proposed trip is called off (autogr.)
/104 Ibid., 30 Nov. [1980 as per postmark] – asks him to forgive her horrible writing; on her health; asks him to get a neighbour to take in his mail; asks for details of the accident; she went to Chris d’Amanda’s for Thanksgiving dinner; wrote to Cassell’s and begged them to send her 12 copies of ‘African Sculpture’; on Mary Bertolet; is waiting for the $2,600 deposit on the round the world trip, which the doctor will not let her take; on Pearlie and David; John Dintenfoss and his wife will be in London soon and will see him; is sorry she cannot come to help him (autogr.)
/105 Ibid., 24 Oct. 1981 – will send the Benin mask to the BM in honour of him; the trial is over; the headrest is on her writing table; was grilled by Meltzer’s lawyer; gives details of the trial (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/106 Ibid., 2 Nov. – David will get the money for the ibeji trip from Indiana University; is glad he is coming over; will give him the pair of ibeji he liked; Susan is coming to lunch on 10 Nov.; the headrest will be on view; on invitations; is almost blind as well as deaf; on Pearlie Mae; he can take the Benin mask to the BM when he leaves (autogr.)
/107 Ibid., 13 Dec. 1982 – on the New Yorker subscription; on the snow; looks forward to seeing him in Jan. or Feb.; the enclosed [not held] may be news to him (autogr. by Frannie)
/10/108 Notice of Memorial Service for MWP, 10 Mar. 1990 (printed card)
/11 Undated Margaret Plass Papers
/1 Jim […?] to MWP, nd – refers to her note [not held]; on her trip to New York; on a dinner with Allen and Marie-Thérèse [Davis]; refers to ‘our Cleveland couple’; on a boat ride; had planned to finish a paper at the Library of Congress but the heat is ‘cruel’; mentions her Cape May ‘junket’; on his holiday travel plans; on their talk after the Davis dinner. 2 leaves (tp.); MWP to WBF, 3 July [?year] – on her trip to Cape May with David; is taking the goldweight manuscript with her; needs the photos to write the captions; on reviewers; discusses some phrases; adds some comments to Jim’s letter; describes Jim to WBF. 4 leaves (autogr.)
/2 MWP to WBF, nd – wishes he was here; on a dinner for the Rattons; names those who will be present; describes a Dan bronze standing lady which she bought; includes drawing; on moving out of her flat; on the weather; Maurice asks him to answer about the casts; Adrian will be here tomorrow; Junius will have to look out for him; had better cable him [WBF] so that he can clean up Adrian’s desk; asks about the Alberta bronzes (autogr.)
/3 Ibid., nd – is in a state of confusion after moving; on the second private view at the MPA; discusses some piece in that show[?]; is disappointed only to get $1,000 from them; will write to Jim this week; on her class reunion; asks when he is going to Göteborg; does not want to come to England when he is there; wants to be there for the symposium; on paying the Polish lady; asks him to write to Roudillon (autogr.; some water damage)
/11/4 Ibid., nd – tomorrow they debark from Francis’s Big Ship; mentions Mrs Rose Price; on the voyage; on their suite and their routine; hopes he got home with his overbalanced bike-load without mishap; hopes he has finished the captions; refers to his getting books ready for his mother to sell; is sorry that she scolded Margret; discusses her in detail; on Brian Egerton and his pieces finally reaching the BM; Margret does not realise that Egerton wants to give; refers to Margret going to Ringwood with him; will write as much as she can; will not be hurt if he does not have time to write to her; he has been a great comfort to her in her illness; she jests when she talks of marrying the Director (autogr.; some water damage)
/5 Ibid., nd [1957] – on her health; mentions some paintings; is grateful for his corrections to her catalogue for the UM; will deliver it to Geraldine tomorrow; on Madame X; refers to her tendency to rush; only he can calm her; knowing and loving him has changed her life completely; refers to his trip to Göteborg (autogr.; incomplete)
/6 Ibid., nd [1957] – on the reverse is a letter she wrote to Marian [MWS?]; on feeling ill; David has improved tremendously; is fine to work with; on exhibition; has to go to Maurice Hechscher about her will (autogr.) [on verso:] – MWP to Marian [MWS?], nd – discusses the symposium; makes a suggestion for the next committee meeting; on the catalogue for the permanent African collections at the UM; on David Crownover; thinks WBF’s introduction to the Swansea catalogue the best thing he has done; intended to go to New York next weekend but it is too hot (tp. with autogr. note to WBF)
/7 MWP to WBF, nd – is not well; on a strenuous day in New York; the UM photos have been sent to Kiddell; the choice was Reuben’s; encloses what is to be said in the statement in the catalogue; on sketches David made of all the pieces; on reserve prices; she wants to make $5,000 out of the sale; mentions the magnificent stuff Duveen and Bernie Black bought; describes some of the things; on a small Dan which she bought; refers to seeing him on Tuesday (autogr.)
/8 Ibid., nd [1957] – on a lovely feeling of peace she had at Mass; will try not to go to pieces; mentions Sweeney who is arriving in London; asks him to take Gwen Plass Rorer to lunch; she has never seen the Plass Collection; wishes he would write; has come through this heatwave by herself (autogr.)
/11/9 Ibid., nd [1956] – is sorry about Parkhurst; is sorry she has not written to him [Parkhurst]; on writing her bread-and-butter letters; in Chicago she was rushed but happy; Oberlin was equally successful; refers to Nan Fairbrother’s ‘Men and Gardens’; her press notices are fantastic; gives Kathy McBride’s opinion; lists all the ‘boys’ who have written to her; had tests at hospital and is 150% fit; mentions an Ibibio mask; on spending yesterday with Goldwater; is selling ‘shiny nose’ at Sotheby’s; discusses some other artefacts; Goldwater is pleased to have her to write with; he looks forward to working with WBF too; Stechow would be a fine man in the job; she is not spoiled; she knows her limitations; his refusal to mary her keeps her in line; thinks it is her duty to marry Paul Martin; describes him; has a better opinion now of American anthropologists. 3 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/10 Ibid., nd – on being a freak; has mailed the proofs back to Chicago; George Simpson would like her to join his department at Oberlin; on the gift of giving and receiving friendship; she is happy and content; refers to his Geiger counter metaphor; gets a wild idea that she ought to marry someone so that he will be free; on her health; mentions the double firespitter; hopes he had a good time with BEBF; is glad she came to know BEBF who is a little like him but no genius; will return to his arms in 35 days (autogr.; some water damage)
/11 Ibid., nd – John K. is flying over on 15 Jan.; the Director wrote to her about to the British Honduras dig; she judges he [WBF] will be in charge while Adrian is away; mentions the building programme; mentions Mike Ayrton; the director said nice things about WBF and Margret; is feeling good but tired; on people coming tomorrow (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/12 Ibid., nd – it is Sunday; on Collins’ party last night; people are grand to her; they think she looks and acts better than when she was here [New York] before; Bascom raved about the Fagg brothers; on Roy Sieber; he wants a year in London and may get a Ford grant; on Phil and Sallie Lewis; he is the undercurrent to the tides of joy which sweep her (autogr.; some water damage)
/13 Ibid., nd – [illegible due to water damage] (autogr.)
/11/14 WBF to MWP, nd – wants her to know how much her health and happiness mean to him; refers to her letter from New Orleans; hopes that she is not letting the world take charge of her life; she has a responsibility to the world to be at her best; quotes from Walter Mitty; mentions the Golden Rule; is lucky to have the RAI; perhaps she should catch that boat on the 14th and come here; then they could plan the Swiss trip more easily; outlines his plans for the trip (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage; incomplete)
/15 MWP to WBF, nd – financial calculations; on money; on clothing for the Africa trip (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage; incomplete)
/16 Ibid., nd – went to Carlebach’s with Siroto; saw the little Benin head; he is asking $2,000 (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/17 Ibid., nd – refers to Eliot (autogr.; most illegible due to water damage)
/18 Ibid., nd – on travel arrangements[?]; mentions Eric; mentions Francis (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage; incomplete?)
/19 Howard […?] to MWP[?}, nd – refers to tickets for the Zoological Society short at Hunter College; thought she might like to join the Society; Fairfield Osborn is President; Jon Carlisle is Vice President (autogr.; water damaged)
/20 MWP to [WBF?], nd – includes a sketch of the most elaborate of the three casts made in Switzerland about 1887; will also sketch the one she bought; describes the casts (autogr. with drawings)
/21 WBF to [MWP], nd – on Dr Gordon Mitchell Heggs and his wife being hurt in a traffic collision; refers to sending her his manuscripts; hopes receipt of these would induce a happier frame of mind; mentions her making money out of her skill as a writer on African Art; Schwarz is coming over on 18 Jan. to see the Egerton things; will try to send her a copy of his letter; has drafted a letter to Julius; asks if she has had any response; when he thinks of her being in England with him he feels a rush of joy (autogr.; some water damage)
/22 Note of addresses with dates (autogr.)
/11/23 MWP to WBF, nd [pre-1952] – has some letters and cables concerning her purchases for the BM which must be dealt with; mentions Marcel Fraisse, her agent at the sale; Webster cannot wait to see the things; on transportation of the objects; M. Fraisses requires a letter from WBF on museum paper; WBF can unpack and she can pick up her things; Webster will arrive and be overcome with generous feelings towards the BM (autogr.)
/24 Christmas card from MWP (printed)
/25 MWP to […?], nd – on the recipient’s son; it is remarkable that he has accomplished so much; has tried to send something home via WBF but the excess air rates would be too high; the son has gained eight pounds (printed and autogr. Christmas card)
/26 Ibid. to WBF, nd – on arrangements for meeting them at Northolt Airport; they will need a large Rolls-Royce as they are bringing a large case full of Dogon stuff for the BM; itemizes the things; on three tiny weights which she chose as souvenirs; suggests that Denise should do him an article on this collection; the Dehondt things are grand; itemizes some of these; had a wire from Frans today (autogr.)
/27 Ibid., nd [pre-1952] – they would love to dine with him and his mother; the coming week is complicated; on people Webster has to deal with; suggests they come back to her home for coffee; thinks she was lucky getting him on the phone that day at the museum; is serious about wanting to do some work in anthropology; she is wasting hours which she would enjoy putting to more intelligent use; is growing superficial in her thinking (autogr.)
/28 Ibid., nd [pre-1952] – worries about him coming to Knightsbridge on the number 14 bus; includes a sketch map with directions to her home; has had people round and hopes there will be something left for him by tomorrow; her landlord is sending a lobster (autogr.)
/29 Ibid., nd [pre-1952] – on a date at the Hungarian Garden Restaurant; Webster is allergic to Spanish cooking; she would have been entranced to do some work under Malinowski; would like to come to JLM’s lecture; has been rushing about London with Webster’s assistant; mentions a Benin leopard (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/11/30 Ibid., nd [pre-1952] – asks him to tell her where to meet him; on going to hear JLM; she and Webster enjoyed meeting his mother, and the dinner; asks him to come again soon; asks him to take her one day to the RAI Library; on a friend of theirs who is an economist; on Webster telling her to be an anthropologist and to leave economics and politics to him; the RAI must be her salvation; is so glad she met him (autogr.)
/31 Ibid., nd – Kat appreciated Biebuyck’s visit; he flew home with her en route to Cal[ifornia] and stayed until Sunday; he is happy to head the African Coll[ection] at UCLA; yesterday she went to St Joseph’s; Stevie Montell begins summer school there on 12 June; met Tom Harrisson who was not flattering about the BM or the RAI; he thinks WBF has been wonderful as editor of Man; on Harrisson’s view of the Ethnography department at the BM (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/32 Audrey [Chancellor] to MWP, nd – cannot believe that she is bound for the Grasslands again; on an uncomfortable week in Dakar; misses her; hopes she is well; Charles was disappointed not to have her chez lui; on the American Consul; she gets home on 20 Apr. (autogr.)
/33 MWP to [WBF?], nd – on a cheque; begs him to cash it or put it into his account; no one but him makes difficulties about cashing cheques; asks him to let her know that he has deposited the cheque as soon as he has done it (autogr.; incomplete)
/34 Ibid., nd – on cutting this part off and sticking it to the last typed page she sent him; asks him to let her know how much cash to send; got his cheque for ‘What in the World?’; mentions Mortimer; refers to being sick at Christmas; refers to some 18th century knives she bought; Mortimer is getting sticky about paying for the plaque; mentions Eilenberg; does not want to sell her Benin mask while Brian is alive; she posted ‘African Village’ (autogr.; water damaged)
/35 Ibid., nd – on David’s job at the Museum; they have given up catalogues completely; Americans will not buy catalogues in America; speculates as to why this is; refers to her suggestion of getting undated tickets to Indiana and Illinois; Mortimer seems glad he is coming; read him excerpts from ‘N[igerian] I[mages]’; does not let her depressions last long (autogr.; water damaged; incomplete)
/11/36 Ibid., nd – discusses details of his trip; mentions Father Rooney; on finances (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/37 Ibid., nd – it seems a long time since she heard from him; on her health; on two of his mother’s four pictures; on ‘The Economics of Taste’ by Gerald Reitlinger; on drawings by Boucher and Jasani[?]; has had her library appraised by George Allen; on a housewarming for Chaim Gross; on her friends the Todes; mentions her inability to stay alone at night; refers to his place in her life (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/38 Ibid., nd – on Prof. Palmer; asks what he thinks of having a University of Pennsylvania in Ghana or Nigeria; this would be better than importing native into this country; discusses the idea; mentions that Palmer approves of Nkumah; asks if he is going to Nigeria’s Freedom Day; on the Congo business; asks him to make some pithy comments about their conventions; asks for advice about her activities; on Kathy; on Carl Coon; mentions Mel Herskovits; mentions David C., David Sellin and Bill Bertolet; on the networks covering the convention; on American politics; on Joe Hill. 4 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/39 Note of courses offered at the African Studies Cneter, University of California, Los Angeles (printed with autogr. notes by MWP)
/40 MWP to WBF, nd – asks about his contacting a publisher; would like to get to work; on photographs of pieces in the UM; on a pottery fetish of the Gio tribe; on Harley; asks him to write more often; mentions Mortimer (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/41 Ibid., nd – on his being in Egypt; on a return stop in London; mentions Bill and David; on her commitments in Jan.; maybe Dick Davis can arrange his itinerary; she has had her shots; on visas; mentions Fro; is sorry about the German show’s late date; on the MPA doing a Nigerian show (autogr.; incomplete)
/42 Ibid., nd – on arriving in Cairo; describes what she has been doing; saw Charles’ friend Maguid Samedi; on the curtains decorated with Egyptian musicians [includes drawing]; refers to their arrival on 19 Jan. from Paris. 2 leaves (autogr.)
/11/43 Ibid., nd – asks him to forward the enclosed [not held] to BEBF; on someone coming to their museum[?]; on George Danya of Liberia; on Loyd […?] who has hired Joe; on Joe’s job; asks about WBF’s show in the Midlands and Bristol; the German thing sounds wonderful; on Fred in Munich; asks him to write to her (autogr.; water damaged)
/44 Ibid., nd – on the US election, mentioning Adlai, Jack, Peter Lawford, Sinatra and Bowles; on her shots for Egypt and the Sudan (autogr.; incomplete)
/45 Ibid., nd – on the opening of the Renaissance Galleries at the PMA; asks if he is coming to Paris; on Fred and Marianne; on the weather; is having a luncheon on 21 Jan.; hopes to go to Ringwood on 22 {Jan.); on arrangements for the visit; has rung Robert about WBF doing a Nigerian show for them; they could only show about 100 pieces; Robert suggested a Sept. opening (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/46 Ibid. to [WBF?], nd – on reports for Joe Hill, Roy Sieber and Charles Weiss, for Guggenheim grants; thinks Joe’s proposal is best and most useful; on Roy’s proposal (autogr.; water damaged); [on verso:] J. Kellum Smith Jr., John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, to [MWS?], nd – acknowledgment of receipt of confidential statement concerning Charles Weiss (printed and tp., with autogr. note)
/47 MWP to WBF, nd – is just back from Pittsburgh; lists the people she should be writing b & b letters to; he is slightly mixed up about some things; on the UM’s attitude towards her; discusses Geraldine [Bruckner]; on the catalogue; discusses Leff and his collection; mentions Chaim Gross and Henry Moore; mentions Roland and Lee Penrose; on her lectures. 4 pages (autogr.)
/48 Ibid., nd – on ‘My Lord Bermuda’, an Anglican bishop who was guest of honour at Ernest Harding’s last night; encloses a letter from Louise Hill [/11/49]; on Polly Grubb; mentions Expedition; mentiosn Reuben’s pictures; on Joe Hill’s Ford references; is going to the Guggenheim opening next Tuesday; mentions Sweeney; is planning to come for a couple of days over Christmas; on going to Nice (autogr.); [on verso:] Ernest [Harding] to MWP, nd – is grateful to her for the evening at her lovely home; on ‘My Lord Bermuda’; is proud that she is his ‘aunt’ (autogr.)
/49 Louise [Hill] to MWP, nd – on MWP’s last letter; she read some of it to Polly; on Polly’s health and treatment; on an Egyptian amber necklace; on Bertha Miller; mentions Joe; tells her not to work too hard (autogr.)
/11/50 MWP to WBF, nd – on her illness; on her weight; heard from him en route to Salisbury then silence. 4 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/51 Ibid., nd – of course he can have the gong; on Robert; on her Egerton gong; is trying hard not to be swept up in her TV career; mentions Jim Cahoon; on a faculty meeting which was awful; asks for his comments. 4 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/52 Ibid., nd – is borrowing a plaque like this [on verso] from Carnegie in Pittsburgh; asks questions about the image on verso (autogr. pc)
/53 Ibid., nd – on Terry [see verso]; has most of her fits in bed at night (autogr.); [on verso:] Terry Roloff, Toledo Blade, to MWP, nd – is sorry for tardy reply; is happy to know that readership is going to include Africa; is glad she likes Toledo (tp.)
/54 Ibid., nd – asks him to air mail to the UM a photo of the Ife bronze; needs a good photograph for the poster and catalogue of ‘Seven Metals’; he told her to send the manuscript of the catalogue and he would correct it; if she had done so, it would have been sitting all that time at the BM; the printer says 10 Oct. is the last date; the show opens on 12 Nov.; has reworked the introduction; quotes from the catalogues[?] (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/55 Ibid., nd – he must have seen Expedition with their Benin piece in it; Fro had a letter from Tom K. about it; will send another copy; David had a piece onhis summer show in it; is feeling fine but lectures etcetera are piling up; on doing three TV shows; thinks he will like the cat[alogue] (autogr.)
/11/56 Ibid., nd – asks him not to forward mail but rather to open and read it; on trouble with her eye; is determined to come to London; when he sees her he will understand that she cannot have any emotional crises; wants to give attention to giving Kathy a good time; on a dinner; gives the guest list; has not written to BEBF about the bronzes; mentions pieces in the papers lauding Willett for his work at Ife; is sorry that she will not be at his lecture; she is trying to get Robert Dick-Read a job with the African Fair; on PanAm sending them to the Connaught in the VIP car; a number of Man just came; did not mean she did not want him to meet her if he can; liked his piece in Man about the Ife head at Osie; on a show called ‘Ancient and Primitive Art’; on things she has got from various people; doubts she is up to a metal show but may be able to get the UM to do the hard work; on people, including him, contributing essays (autogr.)
/57 Ibid., nd – on Philip arriving; today is the closed day for the museum but David has picked him up and will give him the run of the museum; tonight she, Phil and Bill B. are dining with Ernest Harding; mentions Mavis. 4 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/58 Ibid., nd [pre-1958] – is sending this to the museum to catch him on 30th; on the Baga; David is home; he is disgusted with UNESCO; asks him to tell Margret she is delighted about the engagement; on the weather in America; on the clothes he will need; tells him some out-of-town dates; has taken the upstairs flat so he can have his own bathroom; tried to talk Francis out of a birthday date on 9 [Aug.]; George Allen would love to have him any time, or Junius. 3 pages (autogr.; slight water damage)
/59 Ibid., nd – on lectures; asks if Blakemore Godwin of Toledo has been to see him; he wants to buy some primitive art at a good price; mentions the ‘woman’s head’ from Pitt-Rivers; on Otto Wittman; will try to have an African show at Toledo in the autumn; will try to get to London but it seems both extravagangt and foolish; they are both busy; she has spent a lot on her move; it would be better for him to come here; wants him to see her new flat, the new African Galleries and the new stuff at the PMA; then she could fly to Africa (autogr.; incomplete)
/60 Ibid., nd – on the Prince of Wales hotel; Brooke Edwards once lived there; refers to Edwards being ill; on the cost; enjoyed seeing him last night; mentions Dick-Read; this place [Edinburgh] is lovely; on social engagements; asks him to call her. 4 pages (autogr.)
/11/61 Ibid., nd – refers to his letter; loves ‘Art for God’s Sake’ [see MS 498/14/93], as does Maurice; asks which Underwood he is referring to; asks if he has heard from Siroto; on the Baulé pieces; the Esigie book comes along well; she loaned the Ibibio piece; mentions the ivory gong; thinks there is something crooked; he might write to Robert (autogr.; incomplete)
/62 Ibid., nd – this is confidential; got cash from Carlebach for what is on verso; on pieces they bought from Carlebach; Blake-More Godwin is flying to Europe on Saturday and is coming to see him; Otto, his assistant director, got a fine Benin bronze head of a woman; it was one of those Pitt-Rivers heads; will get John Stifel to send her a photo; Blake wants WBF to take him to ssee Riese; asks him to write; even Fejos has congratulated her on the Bulletin; can only get her own way up to a point at the UM; Wingert does not like the Bulletin (autogr.); [on verso:] list of African and Pacific specimens for possible sale, with prices and some description (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/63 Norton Downs, Trinity College, Hartford, to MWP, nd – sends a cheque for $50; thanks her for the UM catalogue; it is a superb job (autogr. with autogr. notes by MWP) [on verso:] MWP to [WBF?], nd – her affection for the BM and the department depends entirely on him; if he should marry and stay in Nigeria she would keep the gong and might leave it to the UM; on things in her letters he has failed to comment on; sends her best to Roy and his family; asks him to write about an article on the ‘King’s House’ for the Museum Journal; asks if the Encyclopaedia Britannica paid him (autogr.; incomplete)
/64 Ibid., nd – quotes from a letter from Tom about RAI people coming to see the Seligman mask; Charles Ratton and Tom think that WBF writes to her; she feels awfully out of his life; when she thinks of coming to London she has to remember that she would scarcely ever see him; here she has work and friends to fill her time; on going to New York with Mrs R-P; Goldwater says the American market is flooded with stuff from the Pitt-Rivers; on Carlebach; the MPA annoys her; on their current show [with drawing]; it is not a museum; the whole thing has the wrong approach; David likes it but he loves drama and emotion; on the Senufo lady; wishes someone would settle the Tellem question; on Mrs R-P; here she feels that people like and understand her; wishes he would write and keep her up to date; asks if he still loves her at all. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/11/65 Ibid., 1 Mar. [?year] – sends a picture of David holding the mask Duveen gave her; describes it [with drawings]; the bulletins are out; on mistakes, especially in the lay-out; David is going to do a bronze show soon, from Ancient Egypt to Henry Moore; asks him to write (autogr.; slight water damage)
/66 Ibid., nd – he never returns the pictures she wants back; on Jean Lee; refers to her lecture next Monday for Joe Sloane at Bryn Mawr; asks him to write more often; feels out of touch with him; he flouted her invitation over here (autogr.)
/67 Ibid., nd – Eliot is back; the book is coming out in Sept.; on WBF’s review; is lunching with Sturgis next week; she is moving; on social engagements; has two Bryn Mawr lectures on 5 & 12 May; asks when he can come over; if he refuses she might come about 28 June for about six weeks, mostly at Brian’s; Dorothy wants to fit up a permanent pied à terre for her; he could come and visit but it would not be very cosy; on a horrid place she stayed in near Marble Arch; asks him not to forget to return David’s photo and photo of mask; Eliot is about to redesign the Peabody in Cambridge; asks him to change the subscription address for Man to 334 Spruce Street (autogr.)
/11/68 Ibid., nd – how can she believe that he wants to see her when he cannot even reply to primitive art questions; Joe Sloane is leaving Bryn Mawr; she could have half his job if she liked; is not really up to it physically; on taking a group of students to the museum and then to supper; her life is full; this place is beautiful; she is happy in it; she and David have 22 fine slides; on David’s work; will send him the American Indian catalogue; on the show; asks him to show the catalogue to Tom; Mrs Rose-Price will be dropping in to see him; asks him to take her to lunch; she goes to see Margaret Bache almost daily; at last she [MWP] feels at home somewhere; she loves him but would be marooned in London; BM people are fond of her but she is not really fond of them; if she had married him a year ago they would have a circle of friends and a home in which she belonged; the mistress business is not for her; from his point of view he is right but from hers he is wrong; asks who would be her friends[?]; she likes being an institution; soon she will be one of Philadelphia’s Grand Old Ladies; will never marry since she cannot marry him; has just enough money to live well with a good maid; knows he will never love anyone as he once loved her but he is selfish; she would never be content with him going home to mother; he will have to find a nice girl who does not mind this; cannot expect others to give his mother the love and respect he owes her; asks him to answer; she offered to pay his fare over and back in Aug. or Sept. 8 pages (autogr.)
/69 MWP to [WBF?], nd – on Gibbs sending her Bristol Cream and roses (autogr.); [on verso:] William Francis Gibbs to MWP, nd – Christmas and New Year greetings (autogr. card)
/70 Ibid., nd – includes a menu, with wines; on Pouilly Fumé; on Francis; on St Ignatius church; on Sir Harold Scott[?] and friends dining at her club with her; is working at the Hospital on New Year’s Eve; asks if he thinks she might become too noble; the shipment has reached Oberlin for the show; Lemaire wants her to take some Benin stuff; will have to tell him that she has plenty of Benin stuff here (autogr.; some water damage; incomplete)
/71 Ibid., nd – when she gets a service flat he will always have to go home to his mother; she will have to clean the flat; does not like wasting money on long trips abroad; spent a lot last time; will not live in a nasty place nor eat cheap food nor have cheap seats at the theatre nor stop using taxis; perhaps she is spoiled because people here are so proud of her; even though they are married they never have to leave until she wants them to; she is ill and he does not love her much; on her health (autogr.; incomplete)
/11/72 Ibid., nd [possibly 1955] – thanks him for his third letter in a week; on her health; is on the train to Philadelphia for two days; almost rented a new apartment yesterday; on the rent; the doctor suggested it might be a good idea to have a sleeping-in maid; discusses this; asks how the book is coming; asks him to let her know as soon as he hears from Oberlin; on the speeches of Fahdil Jamali at Bandung; on a tax bill; tells him to try not to gain so much weight (autogr.; some water damage)
/73 Ibid., nd – asks him to write to Charles Parkhurst; he has had no word from him; on her health; mentions Francis, Ruth and Malvina; mentions a Brahms album (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/74 Ibid., nd – Eliot had his first manuscript; is packing; describes a mental institution[?]; sails on the ‘America’ on the 10th; on Mike and Elisabeth [Ayrton]; mentions Honolulu; mentions a Janus mask. 3 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/75 Ibid., nd – asks him to keep the Spanish pot filled with water (autogr. card)
/76 Ibid., nd [pre-1952] – the old man cannot go to Paris so she can go on Sunday with him and Webster; asks if he saw ‘this’ in the paper yesterday; asks him to make a list of places they must go to in Paris; has reservations at the Elysée Park Hotel; mentions Demaree and Dorothy Bess; will stay till Saturday and do Sharples’ business on Thursday and Friday (autogr.)
.1 ‘Art with Parisian Accent’ (newspaper cutting)
/77 MWP to WBF, nd [pre-1952] – on her health; there are two matter she wants to take up with him; on Lady Kitty Ritson’s library; describes Lady Kitty; thinks her books must be pretty good; thinks he should have them for the RAI; suggests some dates to go and see the library; on the RAI Library; asks what he decided about cataloguing, arranging and cross indexing; Webster suggested she write to Marion Godfrey of the UM and get details of their new system; on other libraries she could write to; if the [RAI] Library is used much it is a pity that it does not have a proper catalogue; refers to working at the Pepper Library in Philadelphia; would have to make a preliminary survey before asking Marion Godfrey for suggestions; Webster had a lovely time with him on Saturday; is looking forward to an anthropological spree with him in Paris; hopes he is not convinced that all Americans are mad; asks him to let her know so they can fix a date to see Lady Kitty’s books. 4 pages (autogr.)
/11/78 Ibid., nd – asks him to reply to ‘this’ formally; on dates for lectures and other engagements (autogr. card); [on verso:] Assistant Secretary of State G. Mennen Williams and Mrs Williams to WBF, nd – invitation to a luncheon on 4 Mar. [?year] (printed and autogr. card)
/79 Ibid., nd – is sorry not to write better letters but has dozens of letters to answer; thinks he will die in Africa (autogr. note)
/80 Ibid., nd [1969] – tried to ring him; on her broken leg; will move to the Stafford Hotel next Monday 28th; is pleased that he has been made Keeper; will not attempt the BM until her next visit; does not want to see Digby; gives him her phone number; mentions Hermione; is glad his doctor is pleased with him; Rodriguez gave her a Dan spoon; Thompson expects Yale and the MPA to return all her loans at the end of Apr. (autogr.)
/81 Ibid., nd – this should reach him on his birthday; is so glad he was born; is feeling better every day; on her foot swelling; presumes that he is having a birthday dinner with ‘Hecuba’; asks how old she is; he will not blame her for being jealous; knows very little about her; asks him not to tell her [Hecuba] about her; asks him to burn all her [MWP’s] letters before he marries her; has not kept any of his letters for about a year; rereads the early ones; he must marry; he needs someone to look after him; he needs love; if she [MWP] had decided to remarry he would not have liked her choice; was fond of Freddie but never would have married him; wants him to marry and have children; will feel out of his life with him gone from her; is lonely already; they are leaving here [St Ives] on 28th and will stay in London until the morning of 7 May; on Vicki Hodge, Mre Rose-Price’s granddaughter; asks him not to worry about her unreasonable attitude; does not think his mother will like this girl either; cannot get used to having him in love with other women; asks him to take care of his blood pressure; can have dinner with him on Wednesday night; both Mrs R-P and O want to come to his RAI lecture; does not want to dine with him and his girl friend; it is best to keep them apart; the New Yorker is his birthday present; on the almost 20 years between them; loves him as much as she ever did. 8 pages (autogr.)
/82 Fred Duerr to MWP, nd – asks about her health; on a friend of his who had a clot; mentions Marianne and Nanette; on borrowed time; hopes to spend part of his vacation with his parents (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/11/83 Alberta Barringer to ibid., nd – what a fascinating evening she gave them; thanks her ; on keeping the entertainment at the Club up to what she gave them; refers to her husband Reau; on seeing MWP on TV (autogr. with autogr. note by MWP)
/84 MWP to [WBF?], nd – gives the name of a tailor, Willerby, in Hammersmith, with directions; mentions Cecil Lugg; suggests two slits in the back; Webster’s tailor made his jacket that way (autogr.)
/85 MWP to WBF, nd – refers to the ‘enclosed’, written last night; Lawson told her that WBF was expected this Sunday; she made a mistake; on Bill Sharpe; the papers are full of the protest marches and the second lunar flight; on her dog; wishes they could postpone the Washington show for his sake; it seems there is no other time to get the National Gallery; mentions Anne Marie and Lawson (autogr.)
/86 Ibid., nd – is inviting the Maurice Heckschers and the Richard Fields on the 22nd for dinner; hopes he is free; knows he wants to go to nearby museums but he will not be going away overnight; cannot wait to see him; wonders if the Aylmer has a kitchenette (autogr. note)
/87 MWP, nd – note of [Ernst] Anspach’s address (autogr.); [on verso:] note of Eliot’s phone number; list of names and addresses (autogr.)
/88 Ibid. to WBF, nd [1969?] – will welcome him on 9 Jan.; if Anne Marie cannot pay expenses, she can; feels better; on the global issues which make her unhappy; her income is reasonably safe; on her health; worries about his mother in the flu epidemic; she is a wonderful woman and a superb mother; on the Fields and their dog; refers to her letter asking him to bring photographs John Taylor has for the new book on small African sculptures; mentions Ratton; is not sure of the date of the opening; mentions Kat; London sounds better for her than Philadelphia; David cannot have any expensive shows in 1970; she needs his sanity; wants to hear how the Burlington gardens project is going; mentions John Picton; wrote to Roy but had not answer; asks him to send his plans , for her comment (autogr.)
/11/89 Ibid., 24 Nov. [?year] – it was good of him to send the catalogue; did not phone Mrs Pope or Lawson as she entered the hospital for tests; knows he is inundated with work; asks him not to worry over her; the Marders brought her a book called ‘Escultura Africana’; tries to think only of affairs that personally concern him or her; tries not to look at the frightening news; has not been herself for a long time but is sure she can be cured; asks him to ring Mrs Rose-Price and tell her she is in hospital; mentions David and Pearlie Mae; she is grateful to him for the life he has made for her; Dan Slack sends regards to Mrs R-P (autogr.)
/90 Ibid., 7 Nov. [?year] – is rushed and typing saves time; on sheets and eiderdowns; gives him advice about his mother’s books; now she must write to Fahmi Bey, the new Egyptian foreign minister; he has the idea that the Americans are against him, as sdoes Fadil Jemali; discusses the latter; on Carlebach; on Leon; told Charles they would see him on the way to or from Vienna in May (tp. with autogr. additions)
/91 Ibid., nd – feels rotten; is getting pretty homesick; Adrian writes people that WBF will be away for months; he uses the word ‘stroke’ carelessly; misses him but is in no shape to come to Barnes; mentions Ann Groves (autogr.)
/92 MWP to M. Fraisse, nd – on shipping ethnographical specimens to the BM (autogr.)
/93 WBF to [MWP], nd – asks that she give his alarm clock to David to bring over; asks if she has found a leather strip for travelling slippers [with drawing]; if she finds it, asks that she give it to David with the clock; meant to leave something for Pearlie Mae but did not realise she was about to take her vacation; asks her to draw $10 from David and give it to her with his thanks; encloses a cheque which is a refund for some project of Sol Tax’s; asks that she pay it into her bank (autogr.)
/94 Christmas card from Richard de Rochemont (autogr. and printed; in French)
/11/95 Denise [Paulme-Schaeffner] to MWP, 5 Jan. [?year] – refers to MWP’s Christmas card [not held]; the Museum has been closed for the whole of Dec. due to lack of fuel; she worked mainly at home; asks if MWP has seen her book ‘Parures africaines’; the enclosed sheet [not held] will explain what is her chief work; is glad to have been appointed but it is hard work; asks her to give her love to WBF; asks about the proposed exchange; her cases on African Art are on show; mentions Margret Bennet-Clark (autogr.; slight water damage)
/96 Helen M. Harris to MWP, 29 Apr. [?year] – MWP’s hosting of the class banquet has placed them all in her debt; as Toastmistress she wants MWP to be one of the people to speak for five minutes at the dinner; remembers her ‘Tales of African Adventures’ and wants to hear more (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/97 MWP to [WBF?], nd – asks him to tell her the provenance of these and the ‘What in the World?’ photo; made a copy for him; has tentatively marked them Benin (autogr. note) [phot. 115795]
/98 Howard Greenley to MWP, 9 Mar. [pre-1963] – refers to a conversation between her and Malvina last evening; thanks her for including him in such illustrious company; thanks her for the ‘ambrosial’ dinner and for the dedication she wrote (autogr.; in French; some illegible due to water damage; autogr. note by MWP added giving information about Greenley)
/99 MWP to WBF, nd – on the Rosenwalds; thinks she is over the horrible suicidal depression; on the electric shock treatment; on her psychiatrist Dr Hughes; he advised her to accept invitations; describes an evening out; has accepted an invitation to do a small African show at the PMA; is sorry she was so miserable when he was there briefly; on working on the Ashanti book; is thinking of coming to London in Mar. or Apr.; encloses letter [not held] from Altman, which helped her; will not write to Taylor until she hears when it will be convenient for WBF to see her; will write to Nan soon to thank her for the chocolates; asks if he gave them to Jehanne; will hold Ralph’s letter a while and reread it; owes dozens of letters; on Brian Egerton; misses him [WBF] more now that she is in her right mind; Dr Hughes thinks she may never have another depression; now she remembers how happy she was in London and Paris this summer; on money matters; asks him to write more often; asks him to tell her he forgives her for her long depression; he is such a great and good man; she thanks God for him every day. 4 pages (autogr.)
/11/100 Ibid., nd – on the UNESCO books; on the George Seatons and the Norman Krasnas; describes Norman Krasna; asks about Nan; is apologising to all the people she was nasty to when she was depressed; asks him to thank her for the chocolates; asked if he gave them to Jehanne; David says to tell Nan to marry him [WBF] while she has the chance (autogr.; incomplete?]
/101 Ibid., nd – on Nan ringing; MWP thanked her for the flowers; Nan has invited them to lunch; she reminded MWP that WBF is invited to a party on Monday; Nan would like him to take her to the party; the young man from the Arts Council rang; is seeing Mr Tyler with whom WBF has an engagement (autogr.)
/102 Ibid., 1 June [?year] – is sorry she lost her temper at him; in his letter there is nothing agreeable or affectionate except the salutation; his suggestion that she give up her trip to Mashonaland in order to send the Department on various journeys appalls her; Mortimer wants her to go to Africa; will get the money for three members of the department, him, Weir and Carmichael; she could still take a flat in London but feels that he does not want her to; is en route to BMC fo a class reunion; is on a Mission Sistere Board; refers to Frank’s letter on grants; asks him to impress on Adrian that she only adds to official grants; she needs extra her self this year; does not think he will be better off when she is dead; thinks he is becoming slightly unstable; on Stevie (autogr.)
/103 Ibid., nd – he forgets how crowded her life is with work and responsibilities; is willing to fulfill his requests for the Department; with the $1,000 paid for the Baluba it’s $1,200 over the $3,000; if Adrian would ask the Trustees for more than he needs, her money could serve the purpose which she intended, which is to augment grants (autogr.)
/104 Ibid., 6 June [?year] – quotes from a letter from Frank; Frank regrets WBF’s absence; his programme is attached and awaits comments; WBF has made no other comments except to say MWP should not go; she needs no visa for Rhodesia; Frank says she need not meet any white settlers; she always needs his approval; Eliot may go with her; on Harold Rome; after Sept. can do all those grants; the purpose of the Plass fund was to augment official grants; asks if Miss Carmichael could wait until next year; it is going to make it impossible for her to take a London flat; the war will solve the problem of Miss Weir; his trip may be impossible too; asks him to answer quickly (autogr.)
/11/105 Ibid., nd – refers to some proof plates; gives measurements; she cannot concentrate; Maurice will send her a copy of the contract; she will bring it to Montreal; on David going to Montreal; on how she feels; can send the money for Miss Weir any time after 1 Sept.; refers to Miss Carmichael; she [MWP] can save enough for WBF to go to Africa in Dec.; mentions the Dakar conference; on Jehanne; tells him that Altman died. 4 pages (autogr.)
/106 Ibid., nd – asks about his dates for Philadelphia; on proofs; on commitments which interrupt her editing; discusses Frank McEwen; on her ‘beaux’; on David; discusses the Expo; on Caroline Gabel and Freddie; on Richard (autogr.)
/107 Ibid., nd – Alan Maclean is coming over about the biography of King Esigie; mentions Paula Ben-Amos; cannot write more; asks if his mother would write to her; on some books she ordered; asks him to do as the doctor tells him; on Adrian (autogr.); [on verso:] Eliot [Elisofon] to MWP, 30 Jan. [?year] – refers to her letter of 16 Jan. [not held]; is glad that WBF will do the book; publication is set for 1970; refers to her biography of an Oba (autogr.)
/108 Ibid., nd – is writing to John Picton about the Yale loan; on the loan and the insurance; she has no idea if any progress is being made about the siting of the Library or Burlington House; on her depression; encloses an unused air letter; hopes he will use it; encloses a letter from Eliot [possibly /11/107 verso]; the only solution to the demands on his time would be to leave the BM; mentions Chaim Gross (autogr.)
.1 Unused air letter addressed to MWP
/109 MWP to WBF, nd – encloses photos of three stools, with comments on the back; on the old man [Alex Braham] who owned the stools; advises him about his manners; it is important that she gets the Bouchers to her by Wednesday; thinks Monique might buy his mother’s unsigned Greuze; (autogr.) [phot. 115796-115798]
/110 Ibid., nd – is going to Klejman’s; on clipping bits from the New York Times for him; mentions someone’s Hungarian wife; on her new bed (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/111 Ibid., nd – is just leaving Haiti for Philadelphia; on David and Chris; will ring Tishman when she gets home to see when WBF arrives (autogr. pc)
/11/112 Ibid., 12 July [?year] – is in Cape May; is very busy; no ‘Tribal Images’ catalogues have been received; asks him to send her one; is anxious to hear about his Algerian trip; on Marion Westcott and her son Roger; discusses Jerry Coll; on the non-arrival of the catalogues; the UM makes a lot of money from the sale of books and catalogues; on two shows she has been to; hopes the Nigerian trip will be possible next year; David is taking a group of UM members on a three-week trip in Africa (autogr.)
/113 Ibid., nd – is having a knee operation; mentions Mrs RP and Kath Salmon; on Christopher d’Amanda’s show (autogr. note)
/114 Ibid., nd – is sorry not to have written for so long; is Chairman of the Harvard Symposium opening on 4 May; on the opening of the Gillon Collection show; mentions the Jugoslav sculptor Ivan Mestrovic; on the Gillons; points out that the programme [for the Peabody Caas Symposium on Traditional African Art at Harvard] is on the reverse of the sheets; hopes he will never undertake to write a catalogue again; refers to his being late with the Plass Catalogue and Kat’s; mentions Anne-Marie Pope; sent him a cheque for a set of the Burlington Gardens catalogues; has not received them. 3 leaves (autogr.)
/115 Ethel Hanson to David [Crownover], nd – asks for information about ‘Miniature Wood Carvings of Africa’ by WBF (tp.); note from MWP to WBF – mentions the catalogue of the Herman things; asks for the information Ethel wants (autogr.)
/116 MWP to WBF, 9 Feb. [?year] – refers to the Time article on his show; drove down to Washington to see the show; on visiting it again[?] with various people; Connie Rogers brought her a Siqui dance bonnet from Bartolemé; on David; on her health (autogr.)
/117 Ibid., nd – the Digbys sent her flowers; on Adrian Digby; quotes from a letter from Cranstone; discusses the possibility of WBF’s becoming Keeper; discusses the members of staff of the department; on his health; on his lack of understanding of other people; advises him to give love and understanding even if he does not expect it in return (autogr.; some missing)
/11/118 Ibid., nd – sends Bentley’s letter [not held]; on Bill Sharpe; on her health; hates old age; on Menist from Amsterdam who had a lot of good stuff; on a Malinka figure he had; has ordered more of Kat’s catalogue; on a letter from Louise Hill; refers to peace talks in Nigeria; regrets that she did so little for him (autogr.)
/119 Ibid., nd – on a book from the Harmon Foundation; the lists of artists in Africa with addresses is probably useful; on her health; likes the dummy of the book; on the photographs; asks about buying his ticket now; suggests some dates; discusses her symptoms; on the guilt she feels that she is worrying him; he is lover, husband and father to her; she wants him to marry and have a child; his experience with her should be invaluable; he must be very busy; wants to make up for the unhappiness she has caused him; he is the only good thing ever to happen to her (autogr.)
/120 Ibid., nd – illegible due to water damage (autogr.; some missing?)
/121 Ibid., 6 Mar. [?year] – on her health; on the Washington show; encloses John Canaday’s review [not held]; she went to Washington three weekends in succession; the catalogue is being reprinted; mentions Kamer and Tishman; Gillon has asked her to see his collection; was in New York last week making a collection for Nick Zervas; describes some pieces she bought; on dining at Betty Fetter’s; on a letter from Bentley; hopes he has lost some of the weight he gained in Washington; has not had time to write to John Taylor about the books; on the mask from Bartolomé; Allen Davis sent her a doll (autogr.; water damaged)
/122 Ibid., nd – will nbe flying to England at the end of David’s Gold Show in Jan. or Feb.; on things she will bring with her; asks him not to count on her coming as she does not feel well; the best bits of her life were down to him (autogr. note; water damaged)
/123 Ibid., 18 Sept. [?year] – misses him, Webster and David; is in Rome; decided not to go to Ravello; will stay one day and night in Paris, and will go straight to London; the Christian brothers are very kind to her; is feeling well but cannot walk much; on her difficulty in writing; on dining with a young man named Moishi; is missing the Fellows’ dinner at the UM; is trying to write a history of the UM. 3 pages (autogr.; water damaged; some missing)
/11/124 Ibid., 15 Nov. [?year] – could see last night that he was worried and tired; can see he has a psychic block about the book; thinks that with three days of peace he can finish the job; asks him to take three days’ leave and work on the book at her flat [the Albany]; nothing will be required of him but concentration and work; with all her other responsibilities she cannot go on with this sword of Damocles over her head; she cannot work at the Museum until the book is done; they can let the Plass Collection go hang until the book is done (autogr.)
/125 Ibid., nd – on dinner; a room is reserved for him [in the Hotel de Castille, Paris]; is sorry not to find him. 2 leaves (autogr. note including envelope)
/126 Ibid., 22 Apr. [?year] – David just read his Telex giving his schedule; shall be so glad to see him on 8 or 9 May; on her health; on Pearlie Mae; is sorry about her penmanship and the quality of this note; David and many others are very good to her; is grateful to God for her friends and for him; she treats him abominably at times but he never acts on any of her suggestions; reiterates some of these; on her health; if she had died at 70 everyone would be better off; on a trust she set up for him; on the Meltzer case; wants him to take her Egerton Benin mask back to the BM with a letter expressing her gratitude to him for being the inspiration of the Plass Collection; mentions the Antoine de Quernelle furniture; Roger Moss is having a lunch for WBF when he is there (autogr.; some water damage)
/127 Ibid., 18 Jan. [?year] – is delayed; is arriving 20 [Jan.]; on hotel and car hire arrangements (telegram)
/128 Ibid., 18-20 May [?year] – on her health; on the temperature; Kath Salmon suggested that they take a trip on the Queen Elizabeth sailing on 8 June and returning on 21 June; she agreed but now feels so awful she is trying to get out of it; on hotels in London; asks him so ask the publisher to send some copies of ‘African Miniatures’; on social engagements; it will be lovely to see him (autogr.; some water damage)
/11/129 Ibid., 28 Dec. [?year] – refers to the RAI debacle; cannot think of anything to do about it which would help him; refers to the serenity of his nature which will bring him through the horror of the whole thing; she will do a good job for Brooklyn so cannot return soon to London; refers to the classification job; plans for the exhibition go on apace; on meeting Steegmans; refers to Heller, the ‘jersey king’; is so pleased that Stillman has some good pieces at last; will send him photos soon; discusses Siroto at some length; is feeling very well and content with life; is proud to love him and be loved by him; refers to a Christmas card; asks for 20 more catalogues; plans to come over in about Apr. 4 pages (autogr.)
/130 Ibid., nd – encloses something from Storrer; she wanted him [WBF] to have this Senufo statue (autogr.; water damaged)
/131 Ibid., nd – is taking three Underwood bronzes and a drawing to New York for his show; the catalogues are excellent; on Francis; on Hunter Hammill and his health; on Helen Muller (autogr.; water damaged; some missing)
/132 Ibid., nd – asks him to share the letter with his mother; she is safely home; on her health; discusses some prints; she does want his mother to get good prices; mentions David; mentions BEBF. 4 pages (autogr.; water damaged)
/133 Ibid., nd – on the Barclay; told Brian she would spend next summer in Ringwood; asks him to write more often; she is depressive and only he cheers her up; asks if there is a date for the publication of ‘African Images’; has been reading Encounter and it scares her; will be in London in Dec. (autogr.)
/134 Ibid., nd – discusses a history lecture she is giving[?]; Newton Hill and Jim Porter[?} say they have sent reviews of the Douglas Fraser and Wingert book; does not feel well; hopes the letter will reach him in time to remind him that her birthday is 8 Aug. (autogr.; water damaged; some missing)
/11/135 Ibid., nd – will try to make this a serious letter and answer his letter; on Dr Sharpe’s opinion of her symptoms; David is jealous of him; David is learning to give her her streptomycin shots; she is alone at night which is wrong but she cannot stand nurses; on her health; none of her medical advisors approve of her trip abroad; she must not get tired or be emotionally upset by anything; on the necessity of a sensible diet; on tuberculosis; she must keep out of cold clammy places like museum cellars; on checking a list of cloths for him; mentions Warren and Howard; on plans for a trip to Italy.4 pages (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/136 Ibid., nd – on talking to him; on the cost of the call; is doing a big label for ivory and gold for Geraldine [Bruckner]; is awaiting a letter from him on the Leff salt; will beg Robbins to have someone photograph Allen Davis’ collection of nomoli[?] (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/137 Ibid., nd – on a series of articles in the Herald Tribune entitled ‘Ten Negroes’; had recommended to BEBF a piece by James Baldwin in the New Yorker of 17 Nov. 1962; on the Black Muslim movement; on her health; will call Mabel Zahn and will give him her report; has stopped worrying over his books and pictures; he and his mother must learn to trust somebody; Mortimer is mad at her for going to England; mentions Francis and Stevie; discusses the reason for her asthma; is happy to have seen him but worried that he is overworking (autogr.; some water damage)
/138 MWP to [WBF?], nd – [illegible due to water damage] (autogr.)
/139 Ibid., nd – on the UM show; mentions Leon; wishes he was here; mentions a firespitter mask; mentions Cockin and some of his pieces; asks about the Bagshaw pieces; will ring Klejman; is writing Charles a second letter (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/140 Ibid., 16 Oct. [?year] – life has been hectic this first week home; is going to Philadelphia [from New York] on Wednesday; is arguing with Leon about pieces to include in the show; Fro refuses to make any decisions; on a man from the American Brazilian Foundation; mentions Maurice Lavanoux and Frederick Duerr; discusses various other people; has not seen Paul; on going to Vienna and Rome in May; on finances; on the books and drawings she is trying to sell for him[?] 3 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/11/141 Ibid., 10 Oct. [?year] – the journey is almost over; thanks him for being so good to her; on being with him for four weeks[?]; has gained weight; mentions Ellen Maxwell; on other people on the ship with her; tells him not to get fatter; mentions finishing Eliot’s job. 4 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/142 Ibid., 11 July [?year] – on writing to Adrian; on offering $1,000 for a fish; on lunching with Francis’ lawyer; Katherine Salmon will be in London on 28 Aug.; she [MWP] arrives on 7 Sept.; on a lunch with Katherine and Clarke, to which he is invited; on a party she gave; om Francis; on the weather; on pictures; asks about the Sudan. 6 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/143 Ibid., 2 Aug. [?year] – loves her small Benin head; it is a long time since she heard from him; Eliot and Leon keep asking if she has had a letter from him; includes some doodles; Mike [Ayrton?] has asked them for a weekend; is having a dinner for him and Elisabeth; had a nice day with Herskovits and the Sirotos; mentions Rainey; she and Eliot are friends again; suggests that WBF drops the Sudan and gets on with Nigeria and the Belgian Congo; has been liquidating boy friends right and left; asks him to write. 3 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/144 Ibid., nd – mentions Sister Sarah; asks if he could write to her once a week; on Thompson wanting them to give a lecture; encloses a letter[?] [not held] she sent BEBF on 8 Sept. which never reached him; discusses Bill Schwab; pretty soon he [WBF] will be here; on social events during his visit; on her friendship with Sister Sarah (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/145 The Directors and the Board of Managers of the UM to WBF, nd – invitation to dinner on 26 Apr. [?year] on the occasion of the opening of the exhibition ‘African Tribal Sculpture’ (printed and autogr.) with note from MWP to WBF – thanks him for making the show and the catalogue possible (autogr.)
/146 MWP to WBF, nd – reminisces about the fun they had; everyone misses him; on her health; on a trip to the Met with Francis; on weight loss; mentions Junius; on rearrangements in the UM[?]; on going to Chicago[?]; on Mr Johnson; on Eleanor Munroe; on social events; has written to Margretta Austin; on flowers for Easter; Elisofon is slightly desperate about his book; on a dinner. 4 pages (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/11/147 Postcard of Somali schoolchildren (printed)
/148 MWP to WBF, 25 Oct. [?year] – refers to his two letters; asks him to concentrate on the work for Eliot; on publicity from Chicago; the show is a fantastic success; on displaying her goldweights[?]; mentions Dr Becker and Francis; on people who are coming to see her off on the ‘United States’; is bringing 31 cartons with her, of books and Plass pieces; the Plass collection pieces will be delivered to the BM; wonders if publicity on arrival would be good for the sale; is happy and behaving well; on riding a bicycle; cannot wait to see him on the deck. 3 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/149 Ibid., nd – they all send greetings and miss him [list of signatures included]; on the above list, only she remains; on Grottanelli; on a ‘Soirée Amicale’ she attended; on BEBF; on the upcoming sessions and programme; Yvonne did not list her as BM representative; on exchanges between BEBF and the UM; lots of people want to buy pieces from the Sotheby sale; asks him to work hard on the Eliot stuff; on Père Anciaux. 4 pages (autogr.)
/150 Ibid., nd – discusses MB-C [Margret Bennet-Clark] and Helge (autogr.)
/151 Ibid., nd – Disher took a job at the Com.[?] Museum; includes drawing; is taking him to lunch; on other social events; on their programme during his visit[?]; is too tired to write; hopes the ticket has arrived; asks him to airmail her the flight number; she needs to see him (autogr.)
/152 Ibid., 1 Sept. [?year] – is leaving for Philadelphia; she told Storrer to write to him about the big Senufo; on the heat; on social engagements this evening; on finances; mentions John K; he turned down the Verité Dogon; she is worrying about Margret BC; asks him not to get engaged until she comes back (autogr.)
/153 Ibid., 5 Nov. [?year] – on visiting someone on the way to Vienna in May; mentions Charles; mentions the UM show (autogr. note; much illegible due to water damage)
/11/154 Ibid., nd – went to Mass and prayed for his happiness; she is a nicer woman since she became a Catholic; describes the life they could have together; wishes he would make it come true; this has been an unusually happy voyage; describes her table mates; on Storrer and the big Senufo; on other people she has written to; looks forward to receiving the manuscript of the rest of the book; looks forward with joy to 30 Oct. 4 pages (autogr.)
/155 Ibid., nd – on social engagements; on letters praising the Oberlin catalogue; will see him again soon (autogr.; water damaged)
/156 Charles Ratton to MWP, nd – on his delay in responding to her letter [not held] in which she congratulated him on the birth of Charles François; he has been travelling a lot; in Paris work prevented him from writing to or seeing his friends; has been thinking of her; on the experience of having a child at his age; on his independent lifestyle; interruption of this was not easy for him; is very interested in following his son’s development[?]; in the summer they went to Portugal; he found some good Vatchicokoe pieces but they were stolen from his car in Madrid; refers to Jacob and John; is surprised she discussed them with WBF; his own relations with Jacob are purely commercial; he would not take his confidences or complaints to one whom he scarcely knows; he mistrusts him; asks what his goal is; asks if he was trying to destroy the affection which Ratton has for MWP[?]; mentions WBF; Sir Epstein stayed a week in Paris on his way back from the USA; his wife was there; someone’s daughter had committed suicide[?]; on his relations with G.H. Rivière; they were reconciled at a dinner of ethnographers; is glad she has recovered from the shock of Webster’s death; on her attributes in the field of African art; congratulates her on her activity; perhaps she might remember that he encouraged her by insisting that she write an article for Présence africaine; also congratulates her on becoming a Catholic; on his son; asks her to send greetings to WBF who is the only man in Negro art. 5 pages (autogr.; in French)
/11/157 MWP to WBF, 28 Oct. [?year] – Paul and Margaret are still friends; he is spending Monday afternoon with her; is worried about WBF and the RAI and Man; she knows how much his work at the RAI means to him; he needs a helpful and intelligent wife; suggests Margret Bennet-Clark; he cannot expect his wife and mother to live happily together; she [MWP] is being very good by being willing to cooperate in any decision he makes; there are so many subjects she can discuss with him which were tabooed with Webster; on Mortimer and Francis; encloses a tentative list [not held] for the UM show; discusses Rainey and Leon; will type the Sudan today; asks him to finish it (autogr.; some water damage)
/158 MWP to WBF, 5 Jan. [?year] – much illegible due to water damage. 2 leaves (autogr.)
/159 Card advertising exhibition of ‘African Tribal Sculpture’ (printed with autogr. note by MWP on verso)
/160 Tim [Atkeson] to ‘Aunt Margaret’ [MWP], nd – refers to her as a former Philadelphian, now of New York and London (autogr. card with autogr. note by MWP on verso)
/161 Roy Sieber to MWP, 20-22 Apr. [?year] – refers to her letter [not held]; asks if the Congo figures at Toronto are Bushongo; wishes he could take her advice about sources but his budget has been cut; on pieces he is getting; can probably hold the goldweight for her until Sept.; got copy of Plass catalogue; on prices of artefacts; encloses photos of Lasansky harp; would love to have her lecture in Oct.; he wrote a letter to Schenell at Brooklyn about a job[?]; the response gave no encouragement; Dr Longman, Head of Art Department, was very impressed with WBF’s Oberlin Catalogue article; discovered later he was not impressed by the lecture. 3 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/162 WBF to MWP, nd – ‘belated felicitations wedding anniversary’ (telegram form)
.1 Ibid., ibid. – ibid. (text of telegram)
/163 MWP to WBF, nd – has been trying to find African influence but with no luck; on Aswan and Cairo (autogr. pc, much illegible due to water damage)
/11/164 Ibid., 9 June [?year] – on the temperature; on her health; on a letter from Hugh Elwes; on Diana Gennaro; is trying to get well; is trying to finish the Discovering Art pieces; refers to his Dakar trip (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/165 Ibid., nd – review of ‘The Lost Cities of Africa’ by Basil Davidson; realizes WBF cannot use it for Man; on anthropology in general; on the importance of making it interesting to students; on her health; Stevie and Marjorie want to come to Europe with her this summer; they want him to join them; on Stevie’s family (autogr.; some water damage)
/166 Ibid., nd – she will not kill herself until after the 4 July weekend; has been trying to work on Discovering Art; only Fagg phrases occur to her; on new tax laws relating to bequests; gives a detailed example; discusses one way around this; discusses living trusts; on people she is leaving money to in her will; without love or enough money life does not matter; discusses the Introduction; finishing this job will keep her alive, as will the goldweight book; she cannot exist independent of him; the foregoing is a confused mess but he should know about her worries; asks what he thinks of the living trust idea. 3 pages (autogr.)
/167 Ibid., 7 June [?year] – on her health; Mortimer got home this morning to set her mind at rest about money; on her new will; on money; maybe tomorrow she will feel well enough to get back to Discovering Art; will mail him sheets as she writes them; is entirely over the depression; is sure she will not have to go in hospital. 3 pages (autogr.)
/168 Ibid., 5 June [?year] – refers to his wonderful letter; on her health; mentions François Villon; wants to live to finish the goldweight book and the Discovering Art pieces; has to stay here until July 1966; it is a good deal; $150 a week would not include as much in London; on signing a will; on leaving him money; on Kat and David; wishes he would write about a handbook for the African Galleries; on Adrian getting a grant for a trip; refers to her question about making the Gulbenkian book a handbook to all the African stuff, instead of just Benin; there are several question in this scribble (autogr.)
/11/169 Ibid., nd – this note [referring to note on verso] annoys her; assures him she will not kill herself until the trust is settled; on Ben Stahl’s comment on her will (autogr.)[on verso:] Thomas Bermingham to MWP, nd – is grateful for the copy of ‘African Sculpture’; hopes to renew their acquaintance (autogr. notelet)
/170 Ibid., nd – sends Daniel’s letter [/11/171]; asks about the Sotheby Legas; on Charles coming over for the sale; asks him to take care of the Biebuyck business right away; asks him to hunt up a copy of the review and send it to her; discusses Daniel in some detail; mentions his wife Laura; is glad they got to the Cathedral; hopes he is concentrating on his bread-and-butter letters; hers are all done; she asked Nancy to lecture next year for the Bryn Mawr Club (autogr.)
/171 Daniel [Biebuyck] to MWP, 19 Mar. [? year] – refers to her letter [not held]; does not understand why she and WBF have not been informed about the Wellcome opening; the decision that it would be held in Dec. was made weeks ago; is sure that travel and other costs will be covered; cannot discuss this with Altman; on his relationship with Altman; is thinking of leaving the university to return to Delaware; discusses the pros and cons; shall keep her informed about developments; is working on an article on [the] meaning of Lega art; has just been asked to take up the curatorship of the African collections. 3 pages (autogr.; some water damage) [enclosed with /11/170]; [on verso of page 3:] MWP to WBF, nd – he had better destroy the reverse after reading it[?]; quotes from a letter from Bob Thompson on Akan weights; mentions Fred and Marianne; mentions Stevie (autogr.; some water damage)
/172 MWP to WBF, 5 July [?year] – is at Cape May; describes how she is passing the time; describes the first day there, which is always the same (autogr. note)
/173 Ibid., nd – illegible letter (autogr.; water damaged)
/174 Ibid., 17 July [?year] – refers to pictures of the apartment[?] (autogr.; mostly illegible due to water damage; damaged photographs attached) [phot. 115799]
/175 Ibid., nd – sends a spare of Canaday’s second piece; is upset about Warren Robbins being chosen to write the book on African Art in American Collections; on her diet and health; it is awful to be out of contact with him; asks if he could write once a week (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/11/176 Ibid., nd – is still unhappy but work is the only answer; refers to the Columbia symposium; mentions Roy; mentions Doug; quotes from him[?]; on a letter from Kat; on Hunter Hammill; misses Francis and Stevie; mentions George Allen; neither she nor WBF take enough time to think things through; on finances; discusses Kat (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/177 Ibid., nd – illegible letter (autogr.; water damaged)
/177a Ibid., nd – on looking for a cheap flat near the BM; has sold Seymour Adelman’ collection; on the collection; on the Lessing Rosenwalds; hopes he has invited Bill Sharpe to his house to show him his books; discusses Audrey; on writing essays for John Taylor; mentions Kohler (autogr.; incomplete)
/178 Ibid., nd – on letters she has written to him in Africa which she thinks have been lost; refers to her depression; mentions falling off a ship somewhere; could not come to London on 4 June; asks when the Paris show finishes; would like to take a ship; has accepted the chair of various committees; on work on the Ashanti book; discusses plans for a cruise; will come over at the end of June or early July; would like to go to Munich to see Fred; on other travel plans; mentions Freddie Schwarz (autogr.; some water damage)
/179 Ibid., 10 Jan. [?year] – is on the train to New York; on a cancelled flight to Cleveland; on an alternative route to Cleveland via New York; snow is still coming down hard; on social engagements; asks him to let her know his time of arrival; on social engagements during his visit; on dates for the visit; plans no more engagements so that they can work on revising the Plass catalogue; asks him if he likes polenta; thinks she would be a lovely cultural attaché for Nigeria; mentions Joe and Louise; asks him to bring drink from the airport; is blessed that he is coming. 5 pages (autogr.)
/180 Ibid., nd – on George Allen’s mother selling books; she would like to go to England; asks if his mother is prepared to sell any more books; Allens are expanding and George is doing very well; perhaps he might take over from Mabel; Mabel has had a stroke (autogr.; water damaged)
/181 Ibid., nd – on Susy Wallace and her trip to Ghana; on some pieces she has; on staying in the room next to the one he had (autogr. note; some illegible)
/11/182 Daniel B[iebuyck] to MWP, 19 Nov. [?year] – refers to her letter of 6 Oct. [not held]; on his health; on his work schedule; has put in an order for her and WBF’s book on African Art; is willing to review it; has not heard from WBF; will write if he does not hear in a few weeks; on an article on the meanings of Lega art; asks for a catalogue of WBF’s Berlin exhibition; looks forward to meeting again (autogr.)
/183 MWP to WBF, nd – wrote to Adrian and Frank about the plaques; she and David would take them in the plane from London to Philadelphia; she also enquired about the new Plass Catalgoue; the ‘King’s Day’ has been republished three times since 1956; is bringing the Eilenberg; wrote to Rooney about WBF giving permission for publishing the orange book in France; she is busy on the goldweight book; asks him to ask Daniel to review their book for Man; Daniel is ordering 200 copies for use in his course on tribal art in Africa; gives some of his opinions (autogr.; some water damage)
/184 Ibid., 18 Sept. [?year] – on goldweight photos; has written all his foreign engagements in her book; this letter should reach him in London; wrote to Father Rooney about publishing the papers WBF wrote for the Orange Book; WBF was the only contributor who had not replied; he [WBF] has not answered Altman either; Biebuyck wants to review their book for Man; neglect of small duties such as answering personal letters hurts people who are fond of him; his correspondence piles up in an unsightly heap; on her health; Merlyn Evans and Margerie are coming on 1 Oct.; on events for them; on going to Washington where she saw the Ghanaian collection fo the John Edgcombs; on the medical illustrator, Elisabeth Wallace, attached to their unit; mentions Roy; mentions Warren Robbins. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/185 Ibid., 3 Oct. [?year] – Stevie and Mortimer are fine again; is on the edge of depression; will reread his letters to make her feel stronger; on the Merlyn Evanses; discusses their visit; on Merlyn Evans’ ‘impressions’ [see verso]; discusses the Merlyn Evanses; on how she is feeling; letters from him buoy her up (autogr.; some water damage) [on verso:] ‘Some Impressions by Merlyn Evans’ (tp.)
/11/186 Father Abbot, St Anselm’s Abbey, Washington, to MWP, 10 May [?year] – on owing her a letter; refers to her returning a bit the worse for wear; has been busy; now wants to catch up with neglected friends; refers to her ‘colly wobbles’; on his ‘International Dinner’ benefit; on Barbara Ward; is eagerly waiting to hear who is the new archbishop of Westminster; there have been rumours about Butler; on a possible trip to England (autogr.)
/187 Ibid., nd – on arrangements for dates in Nov. and Dec.; does not want to see the Ayrtons or Margretta; mentions dates withg Frank F. (autogr. note; some illegible due to water damage)
/188 Ibid., 31 Mar. [?year] – is terribly tired; on her health and medication; all she wants is to get to Europe to see him and to see Rome; discusses Sybaris; mentions Father Abbot’s classmate Aidan Williams; the Benedictines do themselves very well; apparently the British Embassy is full of Catholics; on the Abbey School, based on Downside; on Francis Gibbs; on Malvina; on a piece in the Illustrated London News; asks him to tell Adrian how much she looks forward to seeing him; she hates to think that WBF will never be Keeper; on photographing velvets and embroideries; is bringing a cloth with her; on cloths made of velvets sewed together [includes diagram]; on Helen Muller, a museum tapestry mender; on Roy and the Ekoi head; he is coming in June. 6 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/189 Ibid., 23 Dec. [?year] – has been in hospital since 14 Dec.; on her symptoms; is now home; feels pretty well and is not worrying; mentions David Herbert; has paid for her funeral; it is hard to concentrate on writing; has had a lot of tests (autogr.; water damaged)
/190 Ibid., nd – asks him to get the Kegan Paul man to write to her about the goldweight book; sends some stamps; Bill Longstreth told her they would fetch more in England than here; the book enthralls her; she feels divine inspiration in every page; he is wonderful, even if too fat; she is better than she has been for a long time; she has to nag David to get some photographs finished for her; lists the items in question [includes drawing]; only 1000 of Leff’s catalogue[?] were printed; asks him to answer quickly (autogr.)
/191 Ibid., 11 June [?year] – illegible letter. 6 pages (autogr.; water damaged)
/11/192 Ibid., 23 Aug. [?year] – on Edward Alpers, who is going to look him up; knows WBF will be interested in the verdict of the neurologist Bernard Alpers; on her medication and treatment; on tests; she will carry on as before; refers to all the new jobs she has taken on; on Bill Sharpe; on the Abbot and Maurice; her friends get addicted to her; loves the idea of the paperback; perhaps he could persuade the published to pay her fare over and they could fly back to the States together; on Stevie; she cannot wait for the Praeger book; got a letter from Brian Egerton; on her apartment; he will have to be very neat; the only desk she can spare him is a card table in her bedroom; tells him there can be no slide-shuffling; found some slides he left behind; is sorry about Meg[?] 4 pages (autogr.; water damaged)
/193 Ibid., nd – on Pearlie Mae; on Louise Cochrane; is allergic to sloth. 4 pages (autogr.; most illegible due to water damage)
/194 Ibid., nd – illegible letter. 4 pages (autogr.; water damaged)
/195 Ibid., nd – illegible letter. 4 pages (autogr.; water damaged)
/196 Ibid., nd – agrees with him about the book; they must show maybe 10 classic pieces; can come to London any time after the big dinner she is Chairman of, after 8 Nov.; proposes going to Oxford, Cambridge, Brussels and maybe Paris while she is there; will depend on him to set the dates; stayed up all one night reading ‘Nigerian Images’; every word from his pen is magnificent; on her health; on her apartment; on dates for her visit; had a letter from Bentley; on her Greek neurosurgeon; has bought plane tickets for 17 Nov. and 5 Dec.; on hotels; has confidence in her ability to travel alone. 5 pages (autogr.)
/197 Ibid., nd –is having a grand go at their book; would like to start with 10 or six pieces; gives some examples; then they can do all unpublished stuff; will bring her new Baluba with her; also has a great unpublished Bakota; would like to leave out the MPA as much as possibl; is glad he met Allen; sends a passport picture (autogr.)
/198 Ibid., 5 Aug. [?year] – is proud to be the recipient of his original manuscript for ‘Nigerian Images’; David will see that it is returned to him on her death; feels awful about moving; on social engagements[?]; mentions Kathy McBride; sends a cheque for his mother (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
/11/199 On a facsimile of very little value (autogr. note)
/200 MWP to [WBF], nd [1963?] – has written to Roy Sieber and Phil Dark to make a date for his American voyage in Jan. or Feb. 1964; she cannot do the negotiating; it works her up too much imploring him for letters and cables (autogr. note; water damaged) [on verso:] [Robert Vickers] to [MWP?], nd – on the possibility of WBF lecturing at Ohio Wesleyan; on dates, fees and topics (tp. with autogr. note by MWP)
/201 Ibid., 20 Jan. [?year] – illegible letter (autogr.; water damaged)
/202 Alice Wood to [MWP?], nd – one is cared for and safe; mentions Evelyn; accepts the whole arrangement with tremendous gratitude; on the flowers; thanks her; thanks her for the scarf and dusting powder; laughs when she thinks how outspoken they both are; never realized what ‘homes’ meant; the whole affair is a revelation to her (autogr.; water damaged; some missing)
/203 MWP to [WBF?], nd – describes someone; refers to Mortimer’s kindergarten for retarded children; work on their book takes precedence over everything (autogr.; water damaged; some missing)
/204 Ibid. to WBF, nd – sends some photographs; gives details [includes drawings]; on medication; on social events (autogr. note)
/205 Ibid., nd – asks him to return these with comments; discusses various artefacts (autogr.)
/206 Ibid., nd – on various financial transactions; had a letter from Adrian, who asks if she wants the money for the textiles put in the bank; the answer is yes; asks about the amount; on Mortimer; on people she told off during the heat wave; her old men are so dependent (autogr.)
/207 Clement O. Innes, Barclays Bank Ltd., to MWP, nd – on her letter enclosing a cheque; has sent her a new cheque book; on Adrian Digby sending a cheque for her; on the heat (autogr.)
/11/208 MWP to WBF, 28-29 June [?year] – is depressed and behaving badly; is ill and no one will give her a penny for the RAI Symposium; was angry about Mrs Whittington and the utility bills; outlines what happened; Bruce scolded her about being depressed; knows she has more to live for than most women; finds pleasure in small things; she has a painter’s eye for beauty; Phil Lewis was enthusiastic about her painting; it is a sin not to be happy when so many people love her; is sorry if she worries him. 4 pages (autogr.)
/209 MWP to WBF, nd – asks him not to worry over her; is grateful that the end of her life was blessed by loving him and being loved by him; only hurts about half the time; her arm is in a sling; people are good to her (autogr. note)
/210 R[oy Sieber] & family to MWP, nd – refers to her letter about the Ford [not held]; has had a hectic week; WBF sent a nice note about the Ford; he referred to looking forward to discussions of African art; on sending a cheque for the Ibo; asks what her plans are; if she can come to the middle west she should visit; on the Wielgus collection Ibo (autogr.; some water damage)
/211 MWP to WBF, nd – had lunch with Fro, David and Geraldine; everyone looks forward to his arrival; on a letter from Dick-Read; Herskovits will accept him; he will be a ‘special student’ in the Graduate School; cannot wait to see him [WBF]; according to Eliot the book will not come out until 30 Sept.; Eliot owes him $350; she will do his keep[?] and local fares; has a joke to tell him; on air conditioning; longs to see him (autogr.; some water damage)
/212 WBF, nd – notes on masks (autogr.)
/213 […?] to [MWP?], nd – on a letter which BEBF addressed to [him] instead of to his head; on her new flat (autogr. with autogr. note by MWP; much illegible due to water damage and fading)
/214 MWP to WBF, nd – asks him to bring Webster’s Pigafetta; asks him not to bring any glass films; she has lots of film except for his Yoruba talks at various places; the talks have to be general; asks about Seattle; the world situation is a mess; she is looking forward to their trip except for the cost; discusses finance; on ‘What in the World?’; it is being widely syndicated; mentions Rob[er]t; she feels fine after a bad spring (autogr.; some water damage)
/11/215 Ibid., nd – the apartment is empty without him; Henry Dona sent her red roses; she hopes all goes well; he has been a sensation; on a letter from Mr Wixom to David, wanting photos of knives; he wanted them in exchange for the prints he sent of the 7 Metals installation; refers to his [WBF’s] going to Cleveland; mentions Mrs Merkel; wishes he was going to be here for Thursday night’s party; Phil Dark and Roy are arriving on Thursday; there are rooms at the Rector’s (autogr.)
/216 Ibid., nd – doubts this will reach him as Portugal is deranged by the present events of history; Robert Smith, who is publishing a book on Portuguese furniture, is an invaluable guide; on the Jesuit church of St Roque; the United States is unmentionable; mentions Kennedy; she bought a Lunda chair; describes it [includes drawing]; also bought an Afro-Portuguese box; on the food; the people are charming; Portugal is nicer than the South of France or Spain; describes a Mass in the Cathedral; they are at the Vierjahreszeiten[?]; they will meet him (autogr.)
/217 Ibid., nd – asks him for the place and date of publication of Father Tempel’s book ‘Bantu Philosophy’; on her bibliography; asks him to assure her that he is bringing Pigafetta; if he has any good village pictures from the Congo and Nigeria asks him to bring them; asks him to write to Grottanelli to send what he owes; mentions Mortimer, Lousies and Stevie (autogr.)
/218 Ibid., nd – asks him about prints of the Moore bowl and something else; mentions a 1 Dec. deadline; asks for a few lines of introduction for the Venice pieces; otherwise it seems out of context for the Alumnae News; on her health; at Christmas in Munich she wants to lead a quiet life; on dates for the trip to Munich; has a lecture at Penn next week (autogr.; some water damage)
/219 Ibid., nd – Julius rang her about the Sotheby letter; if Sotheby’s misquoted him advises him to have them write to Lazrnick, Carlebach, Merton Simpson, Klej, Leff and everyone else; is sure the MPA is pleased to have her discomfited; cannot find the books she was to mail to him; has also lost ‘The Art of Benin’ by Dark; mentions the print of Moore’s bowl. 2 leaves (autogr.)
/11/220 Ibid., 4 Dec. [?year] – if he should see Lazarnick wishes he would show him the last paragraph of his report to the trustees; he [WBF] has been gone two weeks; she hopes to see him again in about three weeks; on travel arrangements for going to Lisbon, Munich and London; on plans for shopping in London; she is not going to buy any primitive art; on a Poro mask; on a Nupe; mentions BEBF’s delay in picking an Ibo or Ibibio piece to swap for their Bina horseman’s head; on various other pieces; they are buying a Malagasy grave marker from Peter Marks; describes the markers; on Peter Marks; on the page proofs of the Bryn Mawr piece; has had a letter from Bascom; discusses him; he has not sent the balance of WBF’s money; nor has Michigan State University; feels guilty about losing her temper at Curtin’s (autogr.; some missing?)
/221 Ibid., nd – wonders why students are so crazy; on Angola; is going to ask Moore for a print of his bowl; thinks it mean of WBF not to send her the photos; she does not understand him (autogr. note) [on verso:] notes on Holden Roberto, Leader of the Angola Rebel Forces, and His Excellency Dr Kyaruzi, the Ambassador (designate) to the UN from Tanzania (tp. with autogr. note by MWP on the dates of her trip to Lisbon, Munich and London)
/222 Ibid., 18 Sept. [?year] – has written to Roy suggesting some dates in Nov.; she will see him [Roy] at ASA and UNESCO; looks forward to seeing him; on some travel arrangements (autogr.)
/223 Ibid., nd [1960?] – asks if he would like to edit his observations on African tradition so that it can appear in the Bryn Mawr magazine at the time of the seminar; or is he willing for her to cut it; describes some editorial changes to be made; on writing for other publications; she has joined AMSAC as an Associate Member; on their conference in Philadelphia in May 1960; on people she met there; on American negroes; on university courses for Africans; is looking forward to his visit; has made a few resolutions concerning his stay with her; mentions Lucy and Peter Bell; mentions the UN and Katanga; on her health; spells out the resolutions he must make; discusses money for their trip; tells him to order a new dinner jacket; on other clothing which he should bring; on Altman. 4 leaves (autogr.)
/224 Ibid., nd – on having ‘it’ in the summer show; on the catalogue; they will love being in San Francisco together; does not want to spend much time with Bascom (autogr.; some missing)
/11/225 Ibid., nd – sends the complete itinerary, which can no longer be altered; includes appointments from 9 Oct.-11 Nov.; has written to all except Madison and Yale; on finance (autogr.; some water damage)
/226 Ibid., 3 July [1961 or 1962] – thanks him for taking care of Ruth Gates; on attending the Fifth annual membership meeting of the American Society of African Culture in Washington; on a reception to mark the first or second anniversary of the independence of the Congo Republic; she took Pearlie-Mae with her; on a party at the home of Bob Kitchen, the head of the African desk at the State Department; Jaja Wachuku was there; recounts her conversation with him; on other people she met at the party; on Francis and his health; discusses James A. Porter; asks him to write to Salisbury and tell them they have forgotten to send Porter his expenses; refers to his inefficiency about the few years left to him to live (tp.)
/227 Ibid., 6 July [?year] – hopes he is recovering well and is no longer in pain; on a tour to the USA 1-18 Oct.; asks him to find out if he could join the flight; they could have a nice normal visit with no travelling; does not think she will come over briefly this summer; Francis is ill; it would be extravagant; does not want to sell stock; mentions Mortimer; on the cost of the excursion flight; she will come to London at Christmas (autogr.)
/228 Ibid., nd – on photos of Ugo masks; is feeling horrible; on her health; is sending the Fraser book to Joe; quotes from a letter from Joe Hill. 2 leaves (autogr.; some water damage); [on verso:] Joe Hill to [MWP], nd – on her health; on Douglas Fraser’s ‘Primitive Art’; is writing to WBF; will be happy to review it; on an epidemic of texts in Africa; on a conference of ‘Africanists’ in Accra 11-18 Dec.; has decided not to attend; on his work in Lagos; mentions Ugo masks. 2 leaves (autogr.)
/229 Ibid., nd – comments on the pieces of art illustrated; asks for his comments on her remarks; everyone who goes to Africa brings back and peddles African art; on Belgian Congo art; mentions Wingert’s ‘Primitive [Art]’; on Porter reviewing it and Hill reviewing the Fraser; on huge masks from Ghana. 6 leaves (autogr. on printed pages; water damaged)
/11/230 Ibid., nd – gives her address in New York; on a Yoruba house post; discusses Fred, Robert and the MPA; Leff never acknowledged her letter; suggests he write; mentions her health; hopes he can get over in May but sees no signs of getting him a lecture tour; San Francisco wants her; she is a more popular lecturer than he is; tells him to write to Rob[er]t (autogr.; some water damage)
/231 Ibid., nd – on repayment of a loan; next week AMSAC are meeting; she was supposed to do the African Art bit but she knew it would be a help to Joe Newton-Hill; is attending his section; on négritude; would love to do the west coast collections next winter; on Horizon; tells him to take care of himself; it sounds as though he is overdoing. 2 leaves (autogr.); [on verso:] programme [for the AMSAC meeting]. 2 leaves (tp. with autogr. note by MWP)
/232 Ibid., nd – asks about Roger Wescott; she has renewed the New Yorker as his birthday present; on the Athenaeum; on the collection of British art which Margretta got together, including Underwood’s ‘Lot’s Wife’; there is no point her coming to London if he is so busy; asks him to comment on Dr Muensterberger’s collection and Ibibios (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/233 Ibid., nd – refers to his birthday; is glad he was born; on the New Yorker; on the weather; mentions Francis; on shows she saw in New York; on other social engagements[?]; is very busy; on Joe [Newton] Hill (autogr; some illegible due to water damage)
/234 […?] to [MWP?], nd – relates an anecdote about a piece of jewellery described as a ‘juju’ which she consideres ‘Plassoteric’ (autogr. with autogr. note by MWP)
/235 MWP to WBF, nd – refers to his letter about the Epstein gong; it is dreadful news about the manner of its mending; on depositing a cheque, not before 28 Apr.; asks what he thinks of the big mask David bought; on Arnold Newman’s mask; on a letter from Underwood (autogr.; some water damage)
/11/236 Ibid., nd – on Clare Templeton [see verso]; thinks she ought to join the Institute; does not care for the current RAI set-up; his editing is first-class but the material is dull; the Nigerian show at the UM and the MPA is in the works; on the involvement of the State Department; had her travel agent look for excursions to England in Aug.; on Marghanita Laski. 2 leaves (autogr.; some water damage); [on verso:] Clare [Templeton] to MWP, nd – on pronunciation; on Vaillant; on CAB [C.A. Burland]; on reading Balfour; refers to the Plass catalogue. 2 leaves; first leaf missing (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/237 MWP to WBF, Good Friday [?year] – Gwen Plass Rorer rang her to say that her son Herbert had suddenly died; describes the circumstances; it would be polite if WBF wrote to his widow; on the MPA and the gong; she wrote to Frank Francis about the formation of the ‘Friends of the BM’; on details concering the setting up of the ‘Friends’; on the ‘nutty girl in St Louis’ [Clare Templeton]; she has called him a Titan; on her reading; quotes from one of her letters; on making coquilles St Jacques for David; has written to Brian; on plans to visit him; it cannot be before 1 Aug.; suggests he [WBF] take the Friends of the BM part up with Adrian and the Director; gives news of [Charles] Ratton; asks him to write soon; no one but him and Webster ever hurt her by scolding her. 2 leaves (tp. with autogr. note)
/238 MWP to WBF, nd – on Clare Templeton, who wants to write to Burland; quotes from her letters[?]; asks if she should let her write to Burland (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage)
[No number 239]
/240 Ibid. to WBF, nd – on a mask; does not know why she wastes paper on him; is sure he does not have time to read it; on Man which arrived yesterday; asks about the libel suit; she and Stevie are sure the case will not come off; asks why EJL does not say anything constructive about the Lapps; asks if he wrote to Carlebach[?] about a contribution to Man; on going to New York; on shows she saw; they are going to show Harold Rome’s bobbins at the UM next Sept. along with gong-strikers and wooden bells; is fed up with anthropology and anthropologists; did a good show on ‘What in the World?’; is feeling well; he is a Webster substitute for her; they have a peculiar relationship; Bryn Mawr did not let her proof-read the Alumnae News; it is a mess; refers to the manuscript of his MPA lecture (autogr.; some water damage; incomplete)
/11/241 Ibid., nd – has read his letter to Stevie and Mortimer; discusses them; had a notice from UNESCO that they will refund some travel and expense money to him; on other financial matters; the trip to Munich was pleasanter with David as banker; it they [she and WBF] travel again, he can be in charge of the money; hopes the Basel show is as good as Munich’s; has had nice letters from various people; Joe Hill loved his négritude paper (autogr.; some water damage)
/242 Ibid., 3 Feb. [?year] – illegible letter (autogr.; water damaged)
/243 Ibid., nd – refers to a typed letter; on the grants from the Plass fund; has many more responsibilities than the BM; on other donations she has made; these are Living Income Trusts; on her income; has told Jim […?] she will do a three lecture seminar for him; has been rereading his [WBF’s] letters; on talking to Kat; she would pay his fare from Cleveland and back to Montreal to have him come here to talk to her; she misses him; on people she sees; she needs him; she also thinks a lot of Webster; thinks he would approve of her; her London flat may be postponed a few months; plans to be in London in late Oct., Nov. and Dec.; Dakar would be an extravagance for her; in their case, two cannot live as cheaply as one; everyone knows how much she loves him but they cannot let the world know they live together; on Frank getting the Trustees to get some of that travel money; Miss Weir should not go until the Middle East settles down. 4 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/244 Ibid., nd – on Gustav Martin, a local collector; on her health; is meeting Mortimer and lawyers to set up living trusts; one is for him; on what it will pay him; mentions Bill B.; is hoping to hear that he is back from Dakar; refers to his letter of 3 May (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/11/245 Ibid., nd – asks what she should do about ‘this’ [see verso]; Warren’s 64-page essay is what worries her; he also has the enmity of so many people; he promised to help her but he never answers her questions; on her interview with John Canaday; asks him to write; on Pat and Mary Hazard (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage); [on verso:] Warren Robbins to American Private Collectors and Curators of Museums with African Collections, nd – seeks their assistance in the preparation of a book, ‘African Art in American Collections, to be published on the occasion of the First World Festival of Negro Arts in Daker, Senegal, in Apr. 1966; on the book, which will include a 64-page essay together with some 100 photographs; on deadlines; outlines the seps to be taken; hopes that photographs may be used without charge (tp.)
/246 Ibid., nd – on the Discovering Art pieces; asks his advice about what to do; she reread ‘Nigerian Images’; it is a beautiful prose poem; hates to think of him losing the fee for these articles (autogr.; water damaged)
/247 Ibid., 15 Sept. [?year] – on a weekend in New York; on visiting Chaim and family; on additions to his collection; Arnold Newman made dates for her to see Jack Passer’s collection; mentions Stillmans; Kaye has some Benin [pieces]; mentions Carlebach; mentions Linton Satterthwaite; Arnold is flying to Dakar; wants letter of introduction from WBF; he hopes WBF will take a trip in Yorubaland with him, so he could take photographs; Arnold and Chaim are very close; it is the holiday of Rosh Hashanah; is glad he came over her; feels closer to him; feels fine; asks him not to forget to write to Arnold Newman and give him some names in Dakar. 5 pages (autogr.; some water damage)
/248 Allen [Davis] to [MWP] nd – on African problems; the African way of bringing off a coup d’état was mercifully bloodless; refers to South America; on a trip to Dakar; Marie-Thérèse sends love; on MWP’s godson; refers to her letter [not held] (autogr. with autogr. addition by MWP; incomplete)
/11/249 MWP to WBF, nd [1966] – it is good of Joe to make all these reservations; suggests going to Jos instead of the Grasslands; cannot see five rushed days in the Grasslands at all that expense; suggests staying in Nigeria until she leave Lagos on 19 Apr.; it is not worth all it is going to cost for her to come at all; he only writes once a month; wishes he would let her call the whole thing off and they can see the exhibition in Paris; mentions Dorothy White who is coming to London; on Roy Sieber and Biebuyck; on the International Congress of Anthropological and Ethnological [Sciences]; pleads with him to let her not come; asks if he takes anti-malarial medicine; on Gorée; supposes there is no use in trying to explain how she feels; has to write to Hill soon; this letter demands a quick answer from him; is sending him the review even if she knows she will never see it again; sends a bit of Allen’s letter [/11/248?] 3 pages (autogr.); [on verso:] itinerary for trip to Dakar. 2 leaves (tp. with autogr. notes by MWP)
/250 MWP to WBF, nd – Robinaki [Robin & Aki Lehman] are in Jamaica; on the tax-free status of the BM; she does not want to invest any money in the Friends of the BM; on Mortimer; on money (autogr.; some missing)
/251 MWP to Roy [Sieber], 21 Oct. [?year] – wishes him luck at the Antiquities Commission meeting; looks forward to seeing him around 3 Jan.; is taking a boat ride from 23 Dec.-4 Jan. to escape the horror of Christmas; she cannot bear people being nice to her at Christmas; is going alone; on the Toledo show; on Harold Rome and his collection; she has no pagan tribe stuff from Nigerial so will be glad to have anything he can send; only a few of the pieces have been exhibited before more than once; discusses some pieces; asks him to send descriptions and photographs of the pieces he is sending; on the second edition of the Fagg-Elisofon book; on Eliot’s work; she went to the opening of his show at the Boston Museum of Fine Art; she is getting 15 pieces from the MPA; on lectures she is giving (autogr. with autogr. note from Roy Sieber to WBF; some water damage)
/252 Ibid. to WBF, nd – on the chapters of a book; refers to the New Yorker of 8 Oct.; she has to write another letter of recommendation for Bob Vickers; on grants for research; on the senseless ‘busyness’ of the average American; she does not belong to the life she lives; on a dinner in honour of Andrew Wyett; recounts who was there; she also went to the art museum to write captions for the collection of African art of Vera White who recently died; on her collection, which was left to the PMA; asks him to write (autogr.; some water damage; incomplete)
/11/253 Ibid., 5 May [?year] – mentions Christel and Otto Patzau; is going to the Bryn Mawr Deanery Committee Meeting with Ruth Merriam; on watching films made at Dakar by Otto and Hans Lederer; this AMSAC group missed the colloque; thanks to her lessons on tribal art Otto did not go overboard in buying any; on Dr Lederer’s purchases; discusses Otto and Cristel; wishes he would take an hour off to tell her about the Cameroons trip; is going to Washington tomorrow; asks if there is any word from the man about the goldweight book; refers to his addiction to TV (autogr.; much illegible due to water damage)
/254 Jean [..?] to [MWP?] nd – on photographs; on her dogs; has a surprise for her (autogr. with autogr. note by MWP; water damaged; incomplete)
/255 MWP to WBF, nd – discusses the writer of the letter on verso; she is David’s delightful vegetarian friend; mentions Audrey; encloses Bill Sharpe’s letter; asks him to get in touch with Bill Sharpe (autogr.); [on verso:] Nan [Shaw?] to MWP, nd – thanks her for the lunch; is enjoying the books; mentions fudge (autogr.)
/256 MWP to WBF, nd – she said she hoped she could attend Joann Gennaro’s wedding; Freddie Schwarz would drive her; if the Paris show lasts that long, hopes she can sail shortly after 9 July; would stay until mid-Sept.; mentions Betty Fetter; on her party for the Francises (autogr.); Joann [Gennaro] to MWP, nd – on her attending the wedding; she and Ted are very glad that MWP can join them (autogr.)
/257 Madge Barton Cannon to [MWP?], nd – cannot read the papers or listen to the radio; refers to the Kremlin conferences; refers to Communist rumours; she pays a weekly visit to Bruckner; is better since stopping doses of phenobarbital; on Barbara, who is miserably unhappy; Bobs misses her; on Jan; on Florence Schwenk; on social engagements. 4 pages (autogr.; incomplete)
/258 Ibid. to MWP, 23 Mar. [?year] – cannot help a last word before she sets sail; quotes from a poem[?] about the sea; tells her to be relaxed on the voyage; on poetry which has been useful to her; quotes from Matthew Arnold[?]; mentions Gertrude; Edna Porter is dead; mentions Andrew; mentions Ollie; Janet is still nursing her father; discusses various other people; tells her to hurry home; has reread the letter and is ashamed of it; mentions Howard K. Smith; on pens; wishes her a bon voyage. 10 pages (autogr.)
/11/259 MWP to [WBF], nd – Hunter Ross drew the pictures [on verso]; will send photos in due course; no letter from him this week; went to Kathy’s for dinner; on a lecture by Paul Henry Lang; on a Rhodesian who is visiting her; she does not like or trust McEwen; on Eliot. 2 leaves (autogr. with drawings on verso)
/260 Ibid. to WBF, nd – W. has gone to the bank to get francs; then they will collect their pieces from de Hondt; they fly to Paris on Sunday; the pieces are for the examination of the BM; mentions the Olbrechts; gives an account of their visit [to Belgium] so far; discusses the Olbrechts in detail; they speak of WBF all the time; she feels as though he were with them; mentions Maesen. 3 leaves (autogr.; some torn off)
/261 Rebekah […?] to MWP, 14 Aug. [?year] – she and Webster were wonderful; thanks her; refers to a ride throught the country; asks if she received any posies, ordered on 10 July; refers to an issue of her company magazine; mentions William Francis; her happy time with MWP is very much with her; wants to see her again soon (autogr.)
/262 Cyril [Lloyd] to ‘Cutie’ [MWP?], nd – sends some medication; Monsieur Joseph gave him a good dinner; tells her to sleep well; he has a headache (autogr., in French)
/263 WBF to MWP, nd – mentions Cyril; feels unable to surrender the files without her authority (autogr.; text of a telegram)
/264 MWP, nd – drawings with notes (autogr.)
/265 MWP to WBF, nd – on the Harris Collection; mentions some of the pieces; the ones she does not bring, Jack Harris will photograph and she will bring pictures; will bring the documentation; on a dinner party; on Jack Sargent Harris; she bought some George Groszs and watercolours; on a social engagement with Francis; includes drawing (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage; incomplete)
/266 Ibid. to [WBF?], nd – includes list of artefacts with details of where purchased plus descriptions; includes drawing; she cannot wait to see him (autogr.; water damaged)
/267 Index card with details of a wooden figure (tp.)
/11/268 MWP to WBF, 9 Oct. [?year] – refers to him coming over; will not return with him; willk come and bring over the Plass Collection by hand; on stationery; asks him to send her Plass catalogues; suggests he make a list of all the things he must bring; is pleased he is coming; is broke but is selling some diamonds (autogr.; some water damage)
/269 Ibid., nd – mentions Klejman and John; on her book; on going to art lessons with Frances Stillman; Brooklyn collected her African things; she feels bereft; refers to things which she wants him to bring for her; refers to his Royal Society of Arts lecture; he is scheduled for a lecture at Brooklyn on 21 Oct.; on the clothing he should bring; is glad he is coming; thinks it unselfish of her to want him to return for Christmas with his mother; Segy is reviewing the Brooklyn show for the Art Digest (autogr.; some illegible due to water damage; incomplete)
/270 Flyer for ‘Arts Traditionnels de la Côte d’Ivoire’ by B. Holas (printed)
.1 Cover letter with the flyer (tp. with autogr. note, in French)
/271 Cheque payable to WBF, signed by MWP (printed and autogr.)
/272 Latin text from 2 John 5:25 (autogr.)
/12 Newspaper Cuttings
/1 ‘Art Critics Convene’ (newspaper cutting)
/2 The New Yorker[?], letters from Ruth Moore and M.F. Ashley Montagu (newspaper cutting)
/3 ‘Winter’s Low of 5o Grips the City After Snow Leaves a 3.7-Inch Coat’ (newspaper cutting with autogr. notes by MWP)
/4 ‘Mrs Webster Plass looking over a spotlighted figure at African Tribal Scripture[sic] Exhibition at the University Museum’ (newspaper cutting)
/5 The Philadelphia Inquirer, 8 Sept. 1964 – ‘U.S. Indifferent to Britain?’ (newspaper cutting)
/6 Advertisement for 21-day economy excursion fares from America to Europe (newspaper cutting with autogr. note by MWP)
/12/7 Herald Tribune, John Crosby – ‘Peaceful Non-Existence’ (newspaper cutting with autogr. note by MWP)
/8 Ibid., ibid. – ‘Vinegar Draws the Flies’ (newspaper cutting with autogr. note by MWP)
/9 New York Herald Tribune, 27 July 1967 – ‘The Lonely Americans’. 2 leaves (newspaper cutting)
/10 Ibid., ibid. – ‘New Elizabethan Era Is Turning Out a Flop’ (newspaper cutting)
/11 ‘AMSAC Chartered Plane Will Take 180 to Dakar Festival in April’ (newspaper cutting with autogr. note by MWP)
/12 New York Times, 22 Aug. 1953 – ‘Congo Native Art has U.S. Advocate’ (newspaper cutting)
/13 Ibid., 3 July 1953 – ‘Museum Exhibits Come to Life Outdoors As Artful Guards Picket for Wage Rise’ (newspaper cutting)
/14 ‘Surely Americans Wouldn’t Ask For Europe’s Gratitude as Well!’ (newspaper cutting)
/15 ‘“Can These Be Men at All?”’, review of ‘Primitive Heritage. An Anthropological Anthology’ ed. Margaret Mead (newspaper cutting)
/16 ‘Museum to Show Early Native Art’ (newspaper cutting with autogr. note by MWP)
/17 Aristocracy of the Teen-Ager’ (newspaper cutting)
/18 Advertisement for ‘African Magic’, the National Dance Company of Senegal, at the Saville Theatre (newspaper cutting)
/19 American Anthropologist, 1964 – review by H.D. Gunn of ‘Nigerian Images’ by WBF (page of journal)
/20 ‘Nigerian Sculpture’ (newspaper cutting)
/21 ‘T.S. Eliot’s “Clerk”’ (newspaper cutting)
/22 New York Herald Tribune, ‘Frances Server Designs Lamps To Compete With Sculpture’. 2 leaves (newspaper cutting)
/23 New Society, 23 May 1963 – ‘Letter from Africa’ (magazine page)
/24 The Plain Dealer, 23 Mar. 1968 – ‘Suit Asks Leashing of 6 Neighbor Dogs’ (newspaper cutting)
/12/25 The Evening Bulletin, 19 Mar. 1973 – ‘Philadelphia “African Queen”’ (newspaper cutting)
/26 Ibid.l, 29 Oct. [?year} – notice of the exhibition of African art from the collection of Mr & Mrs Barry R. Peril, which mentions MWP (newspaper cutting)
/27 The Sunday Bulletin, 10 Aug. 1969 – ‘Tribal Works Gathered In Month’s Safari to Sudan’ (newspaper cutting)
/28 New York Times, 10 Aug. 1969 – ‘Robert Lehman, Financier, Dead’. 2 leaves (newspaper cutting)
/29 Wall Street Journal, 3 June 1969 – ‘The Assault on Intellect’ (newspaper cutting)
/30 27 Feb. 1968 – ‘Museum Readers Sign Petition’ (newspaper cutting)
/31 20 Oct. 1954 – ‘African Artifacts, Many Fashioned for use in Rituals, Shown at Brooklyn Museum’ (newspaper cutting)
/32 The Sunday Bulletin, 2 Apr. 1972 – ‘Sailing Down the Nile – or Is It Up?’ (newspaper cutting)
/33 ‘“Ma” to 10,000 gets the OBE’ (newspaper cutting)
/34 Philadelphia Evening [Bulletin] – ‘Too many Cookes? Not when they’re Hope and Alistair’ (photocopy)
/35 ‘Margaret F. Plass, 94, globe-trotting art lover’ (photocopy)
/36 ‘The Adventures of Margo Plass’. 5 leaves (photocopy)
/37 ‘Margaret Plass A Fond Remembrance’; published in African Arts, Vol. 23, No. 3, (July 1990). 2 leaves (tp. with autogr. additions)
/38 ‘Mrs. W.E. Kemp, Wife of Mayor’ (newspaper cutting)
/39 New York Timesm 27 June [?year] – ‘Mrs. William E. Kemp’ (newspaper cutting)
/40 Ibid., 14 Mar. 1954 – ‘Yale Opens Show on African Art’ (newspaper cutting)
/41 Ibid., 1 Nov. 1967 – ‘Washington: From Dissent to Resistance’; ‘Foreign Affairs: A Dark Glass Darkly’ (newspaper cutting)
/12/42 ‘Observer: Youth as a Tiresome Old Windbag’ (newspaper cutting)
/43 ‘Expo 67 Balance Sheet’ (newspaper cutting)
/44 New York Times, 21 Mar. 1968 – ‘In The Nation: The New Politics’; ‘Observer: The Pied Piper of Minnesota’ (newspaper cutting)
/45 Ibid., 12 Oct. 1972 – ‘African Arts Shown At Modern Museum’ (newspaper cutting)
/46 The Philadelphia Inquirer, 27 May 1971 – photograph of Dr Froelich Rainey with MWP and WBF (newspaper cutting)
/47 New York Times, 28 Dec. 1970 – ‘London: Museums and the Fee for All’ (newspaper cutting with autogr. note by MWP)
[No number 48]
/49 John Canaday, ‘Art: African Sculptures in Brooklyn’ (newspaper cutting)
/50 New York Times, 31 May 1970 – John Canaday, ‘A Few Grains Of Salt for The Sibyl’ (newspaper cutting with autogr. notes by MWP)
/51 New York Herald Tribune, 7 Aug. 1953 – ‘Elisofon Is Color Adviser On Biography of Gauguin’ (newspaper cutting)
/52 New York Times, 28 June 1953 – ‘In Museum Fields’ (newspaper cutting)
/53 ‘Sir Winston’s Illness’ (newspaper cutting)
/54 New York Times, 6 June 1953 – ‘Admiralty Litigants Go Down to Sea in (Model) Ships’ (newspaper cutting)
/55 New York Herald Tribune, 15 Nov. 1953 – ‘Mental Disease – Physical-Chemical Theory’ (newspaper cutting)
/56 New York Times, 22 Nov. 1953 – ‘Piltdown Man Hoax Is Exposed; Jaw an Ape’s, Skull Fairly Recent’. 2 leaves (newspaper cutting)
/57 Time, 26 Oct. 1853 – ‘Demoniac or Harmonic?’, letter from Ladislas Segy (newspaper cutting)
/58 Liturgical Arts, Vol. 26, No. 4, MWP, ‘An Eye for Beauty’. 2 leaves (printed)
/12/59 New York Times, 23 Aug. 1955 – ‘Olin Downes Dies; Times Music Critic’ (newspaper cutting)
/60 Philadelphia Inquirer, 19 July 1965 – ‘Rare Exhibit of African Art Loaned to Phila. by British’ (newspaper cutting)
/61 New York Times, 18 July 1965 – John Canaday, ‘Philly, Pop, Ting, etc.’ (newspaper cutting with autogr. note by MWP)
/62 International Herald Tribune, 30 Sept. 1981 – ‘Thomas Hoving Tales of How the Metropolitan Museum Acquired Some of Its Treasures Create Stir’ (newspaper cutting)