Forum Auctions
Lot 232
White (Patrick) Five Autograph and three Typed Letters and one Autograph Card all signed from the author to Barry Humphries, 16pp., 8vo, 20 Martin Road, Centennial Park, Sydney, 24 August 1970 - 7 October 1973, folds, housed along with 2 envelopes in folding chemise and morocco-backed drop-back box.*** An excellent series of letters from the Nobel Prize-winning author, giving his reactions to reviews of his works, his dislike, and campaigns against, the rapid urbanisation of Sydney, his life with Manoly Lascaris and his opinions on various Australian cultural figures. Letters by White are rare at auction.The letters cover the period during which White was writing The Eye of the Storm, the reactions to which White dissects in some detail, "In the Observer a jealous outpouring from another Cape novelist (whose work I admire) in which I think I can detect the hand of Clive James... I also had a blistering, but reasoned review from Tom Rosenthal in the TLS. He sent it to me himself, which I appreciated." Several cultural figures from Australia and elsewhere are discussed including the poet and critic Max Harris ("a vulgar little turd"), the agent and promotor Harry Miller, A.D. Hope, Peter O'Shaughnessy (acknowledged only in expletive) and Ingmar Bergmann. Throughout White is warm and supportive towards Humphries both in his personal life and career.The period also finds White involved in the campaign to preserve Centennial Park against encroaching development, a cause to which he attempts to recruit Humphries: "At the moment, however, the rally in the park seem to be without a rallying point, and it occurred to me that Edna and Norm might be just that, if you are willing", even asking him to contact John Betjeman and Spike Milligan to support the cause. The final letter is written a little after the opening of the Sydney Opera House and, despite several reservations ("One hears hair-raising tales of what goes on behind the scenes: lightening controls too hot to handle... lavatory bowls collapsing under leading actors, and actresses unable to force their costumes down the corridors. A possum appeared on stage at the dress rehearsal of War and Peace"), White suggests that he and Humphries attend at Christmas.
