MAY SARTON - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 06/05/1940 - HFSID 296762

MAY SARTON
Letter written as a young poet, soliciting suggestions of clubs or schools which might want to hear her during a "troubadouring trip". "I'm charging only $25 as it's experience I'm after." Early TLS with handwritten postscript.
Typed Letter signed: "May Sarton", 1 page, 5½x8½. Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1940 June 5. To "Dear Mr. Trevillian", in full: "You were kind enough to be interested in my work and to write me about it. Now, as the enclosed explains, I'm starting off on a troubadouring trip in the fall. I'm shamelessly writing to people all over the country who have written me to ask for suggestions and advice. It is all quite informal (I'm charging only $25 as it's experience I'm after.) and I wondered if you could suggest any clubs, schools or colleges near or in Richmond who might like the idea of a travelling poet! It would be a great help if you feel moved to give some advice! Very sincerely yours". Handwritten postscript: "I expect to be in Va. about the middle of October." May Sarton (1912-1995) was born in Belgium as Eleanor Marie Sarton and was moved to Boston when she was three. A poet, novelist and memoirist, most of her works reflect the lesbian experience. Her first book of poetry was published in 1937, Encounter in April and she won the Levinson Prize for her 1994 Coming Into Eighty. Her acclaimed 1961 novel, The Small Room, analyzes women's education at its best but has a subtheme of lesbian relationships. When she published Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing (1965) she was quoted as saying "The fear of homosexuality is so great that it took courage to write..." Sarton also wrote Nonfiction and Children's books. Toned and creased. Multiple mailing folds. Paper clip impressions at top edge. Otherwise, fine condition.