David from Manhattan writes:
Great! Thanks, David. Let's have a look...
Searle alludes to an exhibition of his work at New York's Kraushaar Gallery in 1959. In a post "Misc. America" of May 5, 2016, Matt Jones wrote in Perpetua, his Ronald Searle Tribute blog, "A remarkable series of love letters between Searle and American artist Ruth Cyril have appeared on eBay. They are very private and should be in the Searle archive in Hannover but they do offer a perspective on Searle's assignments in America t[h]at I wish I had for the book."
Paging Dr. Jones. Perhaps this short video clip will serve to explain Matt's position on where the archive of Searle love letters then on eBay should have gone:
In all seriousness, if the next of kin are willing to sell off private correspondence of artistic or literary value, why shouldn't they? Who else should get to determine whether love letters should be deemed too personal and private for the marketplace? Why would it then be preferable to house them in museums? If it's reasonable for academics and researchers to have access to such letters, why can't they research letters entrusted to private collectors as well as to institutions?
Ronald Searle
David from Manhattan
Illustrated Letters
Autograph Letters, Signed
Attempted Bloggery's Loverly Index
03252
Back in 2016 someone was selling love letters from Ronald Searle to artist and print maker Ruth Cyril. One appealed to me—not just the small bird drawing, but also the length, the labels, the tiny hearts, the combination of black & red ink, and the fact it was entirely hand-written. Which was also a stumbling block—with all this time on my hands, I finally sat down and transcribed it. The letter is 2 pages, on separate sheets, each 8 x 9 7/8 and watermarked "Plus Fabric." Price was $400, discounted from $450. The reverse of the first sheet has some small glue stains from those corny additions, but otherwise in fine condition. The original envelope was not present, and was probably torn open and thrown out upon receipt. I may have tossed in a period or two, but I noticed only one instance of Searle leaving out a word—not bad for someone writing after midnight...
The only info that I couldn't clear up was his reference to a script being sent from New York. My guess is that in this busy period, all sorts of projects were proposed, planned, and promised, all for nothing. I'm sure a future biography (I hope someone is busy doing just that) will reveal much more, but until then... Anyway, the attachments are the 2 pages, and a nice close up of his bird.
Great! Thanks, David. Let's have a look...
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| Ronald Searle Letter to Ruth Cyril of 16 April 1960 Detail from Page 1
Scan by David from Manhattan
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| Ronald Searle Letter to Ruth Cyril of 16 April 1960 Page 1
Scan by David from Manhattan
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Ronald Searle
Letter to Ruth Cyril of 16 April 1960
Page 2
Scan by David from Manhattan
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As mentioned, David has kindly provided a typescript for those who feel challenged by Searle's scrawl:
Searle alludes to an exhibition of his work at New York's Kraushaar Gallery in 1959. In a post "Misc. America" of May 5, 2016, Matt Jones wrote in Perpetua, his Ronald Searle Tribute blog, "A remarkable series of love letters between Searle and American artist Ruth Cyril have appeared on eBay. They are very private and should be in the Searle archive in Hannover but they do offer a perspective on Searle's assignments in America t[h]at I wish I had for the book."
Paging Dr. Jones. Perhaps this short video clip will serve to explain Matt's position on where the archive of Searle love letters then on eBay should have gone:
The Cross of Coronado
"Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989)
In all seriousness, if the next of kin are willing to sell off private correspondence of artistic or literary value, why shouldn't they? Who else should get to determine whether love letters should be deemed too personal and private for the marketplace? Why would it then be preferable to house them in museums? If it's reasonable for academics and researchers to have access to such letters, why can't they research letters entrusted to private collectors as well as to institutions?
Note: My thanks to David from Manhattan for not only providing the wonderful scans, but a thorough transcript to go with them. This is David's thirty-seventh contribution to Attempted Bloggery. That comes out to one for each and every Shakespeare play. Whew!
Matt Jones's Ronald Searle Tribute blog has a nice 2016 piece entitled "Merry Christmas!" It concludes with a lovely Christmas card from Searle to Ruth Cyril. It may be found here.
Many collectors possess unique and wonderful items that, like the fictitious Cross of Coronado, belong in a museum. Attempted Bloggery is eager to publish scans and photographs of such potential museum pieces including (but not limited to) original art, sketches, photographs, artifacts, and, not least, love letters from cartoonists.
Matt Jones's Ronald Searle Tribute blog has a nice 2016 piece entitled "Merry Christmas!" It concludes with a lovely Christmas card from Searle to Ruth Cyril. It may be found here.
Many collectors possess unique and wonderful items that, like the fictitious Cross of Coronado, belong in a museum. Attempted Bloggery is eager to publish scans and photographs of such potential museum pieces including (but not limited to) original art, sketches, photographs, artifacts, and, not least, love letters from cartoonists.
This is the year of Ronald Searle's centenary. The celebration continues through March 3.
Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:
Ronald Searle
David from Manhattan
Illustrated Letters
Autograph Letters, Signed
Attempted Bloggery's Loverly Index
03252
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