Manuscript Collection Number: 103
Accessioned: Purchase, 1983-1984.
Extent: 15.5 linear ft. (ca. 18,400 pages).
Content: Correspondence, photographs, poetry, essays, books, reviews, speeches, drafts, and emphemera.
Access: The collection is open for research.
Processed: Originally processed in 1983, revised 1988-1991 by Anita A. Wellner.
Series I. Correspondence, A - H
Series I. Correspondence, I - R
Series I. Correspondence, S - Z & miscellaneous.
Series III - V & Appendix A.
Manuscripts written by John Malcolm Brinnin, 1930-1976
Manuscripts by other writers, 1918-1981
Miscellaneous material related to John Malcolm Brinnin, 1916-1978
List of printed material removed from the colleciton, to be cataloged for Special Collections, 1927-1978
Biographical Note
Scope and Contents Note
Series Outline
31 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas, 1949-1976
John Malcolm Brinnin served as his agent in the United States and
organized Thomas' reading tours in America. After Dylan Thomas' death,
Brinnin wrote Dylan Thomas in America. The correspondence and
manuscripts reflect their professional and personal relationship.
Series II.1. Correspondence between Dylan Thomas and John Malcolm
Brinnin, 1949-1953
Correspondence largely concerns various reading tours which Brinnin
arranged (as Thomas' agent) in the United States for Thomas, a wide
variety of other topics are discussed. 35 items (59 pp.)
F544 Dylan Thomas letters, 1949-1953
1949 May 28 ALS w/env Langharne 3p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Accepts John Malcolm Brinnin's
invitation to read at the Poetry Center and is also willing to read in California and
discusses finances.
1949 Oct 2 TLS and TL (carbon) Westport 4p
John Malcolm Brinnin to Dylan Thomas (2 copies). Brinnin proposes himself as
Dylan Thomas's agent in America.
1949 Nov 7 Telegram Langharne 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. "Proposition gratefully accepted...."
1949 Nov 23 ALS Langharne 3p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Gives amusing reasons for not writing
sooner and is delighted Brinnin will act as his agent for his readings in America.
Discusses number of readings, doesn't want to work too hard, needs to have
money to take back to England, wants to go to California. He would like to read
poems in dialects, hymns to Stalin, or anything over 500 lines.
1949 Nov 28, 29 TL (carbon) Westport 3p
John Malcolm Brinnin to Dylan Thomas. Drafts of responses to Thomas' letter,
discussing details of a tour.
1950 Feb 6 TLS and TL (carbon) New York 3p
John Malcolm Brinnin to Dylan Thomas. Concerns the enclosed itinerary for
Thomas' 1950 reading tour in the U.S.
1950 Mar 25 Telegram Iowa City 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. "Arriving San Francisco March
26...stay Palace Hotel."
31 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
Series II.1. Correspondence between Dylan Thomas and Brinnin (cont'd)
F544 Dylan Thomas letters (cont'd)
1950 Apr 4 (a.m.) Telegram San Francisco 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. About the itinerary.
1950 Apr 5 (p.m.) Telegram San Francisco 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. About the itinerary.
1950 Apr 18 Telegram San Francisco 2p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Wants to cancel the Florida
engagement, bears an autograph note by John Malcolm Brinnin on the verso.
1950 Apr 20 Telegram San Francisco 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Impossible to keep Florida
engagement.
1950 Apr 21 Telegram San Francisco 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin.
1951 Apr 12 ALS w/env Langharne 4p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Discusses humorous reminiscences of
Brinnin's trip to London.
Also will try to arrange BBC reading for Brinnin, is co-writing a comic series
for radio, has written three new poems, and writes about
Edith Sitwell's parties. He wants to do reading tour in U.S. in 1952 and read his
new poems. Also discusses his trip to Persia.
1951 Jul 21 Telegram Langharne 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Delighted you are in London.
1951 Aug 31 ALS w/env Langharne 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Thomas has lost Brinnin's letter and
writes concerning John Davenport, finances, a film job, poems, and 1952 tour.
1951 Dec 3 ALS w/env London 5p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Discusses 1952 tour, going to
California and Washington, Caitlin accompanying him, conflicting dates, and
poets and dramatic material he will read.
1951 Dec 11 TL New York 1p
John Malcolm Brinnin to Dylan Thomas. Itinerary for January-March of 1952.
1952 Jan 6 ALS London 2p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Although he had difficulties obtaining
American visa, he sails on the Queen Mary. McGill University wants him to read.
31 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
Series II.1. Correspondence between Dylan Thomas and Brinnin (cont'd)
F544 Dylan Thomas letters (cont'd)
1952 Jan 16 Telegram Queen Mary (ship) 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. See you on Pier 90 Sunday.
1952 Mar 21 Telegram Flagstaff 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Send $100.
1952 Apr 4 ALS w/env San Francisco 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Thomas owes MIT students an apology
for missing his reading, is to write introduction to English edition of his Collected
Poems, describes travels, and laments his lack of money.
1953 Feb 16 TL (photocopy) Langharne 4p
Dylan Thomas to Charles [Fry]. Photocopy of a letter written in verse form.
1953 Mar 18 ALS Langharne 2p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Notes that Caitlin accuses him of going
to U.S. for flattery, idleness, and infidelity; and mentions Under Milkwood, which
will be ready when he sails but he has doubts about performing it.
1953 Apr 2 TLS Cambridge, MA 3p
New England All-College Conference to John Malcolm Brinnin. Discusses
Thomas' reading. On the verso are doodles and notes made by Thomas during a
telephone conversation with Igor Stravinsky and Brinnin's note explaining the
doodles.
1953 Jun 16 ALS w/env Langharne 2p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Thomas enjoyed U.S. trip, mentions
Sarah Caldwell and Igor Stravinsky, will revise Under Milkwood for broadcast
and publication, asks Brinnin to arrange an American production, mentions "In
Skin Trade" and his plans for writing.
1953 Oct 6 Telegram Langharne 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. About his visa.
1953 Oct 17 Telegram London 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Taking a plane.
[n.d.] ANS w/env New York 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Gone to 3rd Ave, come at once.
[n.d.] ANS w/env New York 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Gone to Moiphys.
31 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
Series II.1. Correspondence between Dylan Thomas and Brinnin (cont'd)
F544 Dylan Thomas letters (cont'd)
[n.y.] Nov 30 ANS Amherst, MA 1p
Dylan Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. Gone to have drink with Joe Barber.
[n.d.] ANS Holland-America Line 1p
Dylan & Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. About his trip back.
II.2. Letter from Dylan Thomas to his parents, 1950
F545 1950 May 22 ALS 5p
Dylan Thomas to parents. Letter discusses their health, describes his tour, and
mentions dinner with Anita Loos; but was never sent.
II.3. Letters from Caitlin Thomas to Dylan Thomas, John Malcolm Brinnin,
and Francie Brinnin, plus related items, 1950-1975
Most of the letters are to John Malcolm Brinnin. 25 items (39 pp.)
F546 Caitlin Thomas letters, 1950-1975
1950 Jul 14 ALS w/env Langharne 2p
Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin.
1952 Apr 7 Telegram England 1p
Ringwood Hants (school) to Caitlin Thomas.
1952 May 10 ALS Holland-America Lines 2p
Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin.
[1953 Nov 2] ALS w/env Hammersmith 8p
Caitlin Thomas to Dylan Thomas.
1953 Nov 8 Receipt and bill New York 1p
Scully-Watson to Caitlin Thomas. Ambulance service for Caitlin Thomas.
1953 Nov 8 Receipt and bill New York 1p
River Crest Sanitarium to Caitlin Thomas. Hospitalization for Caitlin Thomas.
1953 Dec 19 ALS Langharne 4p
Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin.
1954 Feb 8 ALS Langharne 6p
Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin.
31 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
II.3. Letters from Caitlin Thomas (cont'd)
F546 Caitlin Thomas letters (cont'd)
1954 Aug 16 ALS w/env Langharne 4p
Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin.
[1954 Dec 21] ACS Italy 1p
Caitlin Thomas to Francie Brinnin.
1972 Apr 6 ANS on photograph [s.l.] 1p
Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin. With a comment by Brinnin.
1975 Jun 7 Telephone message Venice, Italy 1p
Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin.
1975 Jun 12 ALS w/env Rome 2p
Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin.
[n.d.] ALS [s.l.] 3p
Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin.
[n.d.] ALS [s.l.] 2p
Caitlin Thomas to John Malcolm Brinnin.
II.4. Letters from Mrs. MacNamara (Caitlin Thomas' mother) to Caitlin
Thomas and Bill Read, 1953
F547 Letters from Mrs. MacNamara, 1953
1953 Nov 10 ALS Hants 2p
MacNamara to Caitlin Thomas.
[n.y.] Sep 10 ALS Blashford 2p
MacNamara to Bill Read.
31 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
II.5. Letters from Aeronwy Thomas (Dylan Thomas' daughter) to Brinnin,
1972-1976
F548 Letters from Aeronwy Thomas, 1972-1976
1972 Aug 10 ALS 1p
1974 Apr 29 TLS 1p
1976 Aug 21 ALS 4p
[n.d.] Brochure 6p
Note: "Poetry & Music of Wales."
II.6. Letter from Llewelyn Thomas (Dylan Thomas' son) to Brinnin, [n.d.]
F549 Letter from Llewelyn Thomas, [n.d.]
[n.d.] ALS 1p
Note: Includes an excerpt from Geraldine Lawrence's description
of Llewelyn Thomas' marriage and a clipping of him and his bride.
II.7. Correspondence and material related to Dylan Thomas' reading tours
in America, 1950-1955
Includes letters and telegrams from various universities, tour itineraries
and calendars, statements of fees earned and expenditures, information
about visas and transportation, and programs and brochures related to
readings.
F550 Correspondence with universities concerning readings and lectures by Dylan
Thomas, 1950-1955
Includes Amherst College, Syracuse University, University of California, Duke,
Randolph-Macon Woman's College, City College (NY), Haverford College,
Pennsylvania State University, and New York University. 15 items (20 pp.)
F551 Itineraries, calendars, and fees for readings as kept by Brinnin, 1950-1953
17 items (20 pp.)
F552 Financial and travel material for tours, 1951-1954
Includes letters from Leslie Andrews & Co. concerning Thomas' earnings and
correspondence concerning Thomas visa and air travel. 15 items (16 pp.)
F553 Brochures and a poster for Dylan Thomas' readings, 1952
One poster and 4 handcards for Dylan Thomas' readings at The Poet's Theatre
(Cambridge) and one brochure for his first reading at the Poetry Center in New
York. Some notes by Brinnin. 6 items (10 pp.)
31 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
II.8. Material relating to Dylan Thomas' death, 1953-1955
F554 Includes a letter drafted by John Malcolm Brinnin to John Hayward about
Thomas' death, a telegram to Thomas from friends, Brinnin's hospital pass,
checks & receipts for nursing services, the initial letter for "The Dylan
Thomas Fund," program for "In Memoriam Dylan Thomas" by
Stravinsky. 14 items (20 pp.)
II.9. Manuscripts by Dylan Thomas, 1949-1957
Includes various poems, work sheets, and proofs written by Dylan
Thomas.
F555 "In Country Heaven," [n.d.]
Photocopy of an incomplete poem by Thomas, with a note by John Malcolm
Brinnin, plus a typescript copy of the poem. 3 pp.
F556 Poetry work sheets concerning Thomas' 35th birthday, [1949]
Two pages of autograph verse with Thomas's autograph corrections and two
photostats of another page. Titles include "At half his bible span...," "Half his
three score & ten years have gone," and "We are free to die." 3 items (5 pp.)
F557 BBC talks by Dylan Thomas, [n.d.]
Six typescript transcripts. 12 pp.
F558 Under Milkwood, [1954 Feb]
Page Proofs and a photocopy of the proofs of Under Milkwood as published in
Mademoiselle (1954 Feb), which includes Brinnin's introductory, "Dylan Thomas
and his Village," and his corrections to the introduction. 4 items (85 pp.)
F559 Under Milkwood, 1954-1957
Reviews of the play and an advertisement for recordings of Thomas reading his
work. 6 items (14 pp.)
32 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
II.9. Manuscripts by Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
F560 New World Writing, 1952
First Edition in paperback (New York: New American Library, 1952). Includes
the following autograph verses written by Dylan Thomas:
1. Seven line poem about Thomas Merton on front flyleaf.
2. Twenty line poem about Howard Moss, beginning on the inside front cover
and continuing on the back flyleaf and inside back cover.
3. Twelve line poem, "Plaint for Middlesex," written on scrap of paper inserted
between pages 116-117.
Also includes a letter Brinnin explaining the items. 3 items (7 pp.)
F561 "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" and untitled poem with inscription to
Brinnin, [n.d.]
Photocopy of an autograph draft of "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night"
written by Thomas and a photocopy of an untitled poem, which bears an
inscription to John Malcolm Brinnin from Dylan Thomas. Includes a note of
explanation from Brinnin. 2 items (2 p.)
F562 The Doctor and the Devils, 1954-1957
Includes a mimeographed typescript of Joseph Everingham's stage adaptation
Thomas's book and a copy of Brinnin's review of the book. Brinnin also worked
on the stage adaptation. 2 items (99 pp.)
II.10. Photographs related to Dylan Thomas, 1950-1953
F563 Photographs of Dylan Thomas, Caitlin Thomas, his family, Wales, Langharne,
friends, rehearsals of Under Milkwood, some include Brinnin. Brinnin has
identified and commented on the verso of some of the items. See F589 for
photographs related to Read's The Days of Dylan Thomas. 157 items.
33 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
II.11. Materials written about Dylan Thomas, 1950-1972
Includes various manuscripts and related material for books or articles
written about Thomas by Brinnin, Bill Read, Joseph D. Everingham, and
Bert Trick. Also includes reviews of Leftover Life to Kill written by
Caitlin Thomas and Under Milkwood, as well as news clippings.
Dylan Thomas in America by John Malcolm Brinnin
Boston: Little, Brown, 1955.
F564 Preliminary material,1955-1956
Reader's reports and questions related to the manuscripts, plus advertising
material. 6 items (11 pp.)
F565 Correspondence with Dent (London), 1955-1956
Regarding the publication of an English edition. 11 items (14 pp.)
F566 Original typescript (incomplete), [n.d.]
Bears author's autograph corrections as well as corrections by Moss are in pencil
and by Reitell in ink, plus an explanatory note by Brinnin. Pages are numbered 2 -
247. Pages 1, 4, 7, 11, 17-19, 22-24, 28-29, 32-37, 39, 41-42, 45-49, 51, 54,
57-61, 63-64, 66-89, 94-97, 100, 102-121, 123-125, 127-143, 145-154,
161-164, 166-171, 174-205, 228-242 are missing. 2 items (106 pp.)
F567 Typescript with autograph corrections by author, [n.d.]
-568 1 item (294 pp.)
F569 Reviews of Dylan Thomas in America, 1955-1964
Tear sheets, photocopies, and a copy of the Western Review (1956 Spr) which
contains a review by R.V. Cassill. 48 items (72 pp.)
F570 Fan mail related to Dylan Thomas in America, 1953-1963
Also includes several letters of condolence to Brinnin following Thomas's death.
102 items (174 pp.)
F571 Contract for the dramatic rights for the play Dylan, 1961
Based on Dylan Thomas in America. 1 item (5 pp.)
34 Dylan by Sidney Michaels
New York: Random House, 1964.
Play based on Brinnin's Dylan Thomas in America and Leftover Life to
Kill by Caitlin Thomas.
F572 Typescript (mimeograph), 1962
Multilithed copy of script in green binder, inscribed by Brinnin. 1 item (101 pp.)
34 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
II.11. Materials written about Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
Dylan by Sidney Michaels (cont'd)
F573 Correspondence, reviews, and programs, 1959-1964
Includes a copy of Playbill (March 1964). 11 items (94 pp.)
"The Making of Under Milkwood" by John Malcolm Brinnin
F574 Typescript signed with autograph corrections, 1954
Includes Brinnin's letter (1954 Jul 20) to Dylan Thomas's literary executor, Dr.
Jones, explaining that the published version of Under Milkwood did not
incorporate Thomas's last changes to the manuscript. 2 items (5 pp.)
"Dylan Thomas in America" by John Malcolm Brinnin
F575 Copy of Vassar Alumnae, 1951 Dec
Containing Brinnin's article, plus a photocopy. 2 items (7 pp.)
"Dylan Thomas and America" by John Malcolm Brinnin
F576 Connecticut Campus Fine Arts Magazine, 1956 Apr 28
Photocopied page. 1 item (1 p.)
Speech by John Malcolm Brinnin on the presentation of a bust of Dylan Thomas
to the National Museum of Wales
F577 Speech, programs and press releases, 1964
Speech bears Brinnin's autograph corrections. 9 items (24 pp.)
Leftover Life to Kill by Caitlin Thomas
Boston: Atlantic-Little Brown, [1957]
F578 Photocopies of reviews, 1957
Reviews by John K. Hutchins, Katherine Anne Porter, Gene Baro, and Mollie
Panter-Downes. 5 items (6 pp.)
34 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
II.11. Materials written about Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
"The Young Dylan Thomas" by Bert Trick
F579 Trick's reminiscences of Dylan Thomas, 1966
Copies of manuscripts and correspondence with Bill Read related to Trick's
reminiscences of Dylan Thomas, when he was 18-20 years old. Also includes
transcripts of Thomas's letters to Trick. 32 items (183 pp.)
"Dylan Thomas' Naked Vision'" by Edward Bloom
F580 Inscribed offprint, 1960 Autumn
Reprinted from The Western Humanities Review. 1 item (12 pp.)
"Poetry Programme: Dylan Thomas"
Script for BBC broadcast on September 25, 1950.
F581 Program of reading by Dylan Thomas, 1950 Sep 25
R. D. (Reg) Smith's mimeographed typescript copy according to a note by
Brinnin. 1 item (16 pp.)
"Dylan Thomas" issue of The Yale Literary Magazine
F582 Copy of issue, 1954 Nov
Includes articles by William Carlos Williams, Richard Eberhart, Kimon Friar,
Kenneth Rexroth, and others. 1 item (36 pp.)
"Dylan Thomas" by Edith Sitwell
F583 Photocopy of Sitwell's Atlantic article, 1954 Feb
1 item (4 pp.)
"The Art of Dylan Thomas" by Edwin Muir
F584 Photocopy of Muir's Harper's Bazaar article, 1954 Feb
Page 1 only. 1 item (1 p.)
34 Series II. Material Relating to Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
II.11. Materials written about Dylan Thomas (cont'd)
"The World He Breathed" by Bill Read
F585 Program and typescript of Read's brief description of Thomas's home, 1954 Spr
Written for a Creative Concerts Guild musical memorial program commissioned
in honor of Dylan Thomas. 2 items (21 pp.)
Clippings and photocopied material concerning Dylan Thomas, 1950-1969
F586 News clippings and photocopies, including obituaries, 1950-1969
42 items (47 pp.)
35 The Days of Dylan Thomas by Bill Read
New York: McGraw-Hill, 1964
With photographs by Rollie McKenna.
F587 Copy of paperback, 1964
1 item (190 pp.)
F588 Typescript (carbon and photocopy) with autograph notes.
Removed from a loose-leaf binder. 1 item (205 pp.)
F589 Galley Proofs, photographs, notes, negatives, and layout ideas, [1964]
Galley proofs and photocopies of poems by Dylan Thomas, notes for the book,
photographs and negatives, layouts, and miscellaneous items. 53 items (79 pp.)
II.12. Miscellaneous material relating to Dylan Thomas, 1950-1972
F590 Pearn, Pollinger & Higham, Ltd. (London) correspondence, 1954-1956
Correspondence between Pearn, Pollinger & Higham, Ltd. (Thomas' agent) and
Brinnin concerning various Dylan Thomas publications or recordings. 10 items
(10 pp.)
F591 Checks signed by Thomas, notes, brochures, and printed material, 1950-1972
Includes a copy of the PSA Bulletin (1967 Oct), with a reproduction of a Thomas
drawing of himself on the cover; a copy of American Book Collector (1972 May),
which offers Dylan Thomas items for sale; a "Checklist of Dylan Thomas
Memorabilia from the Collection of Dr. T. E. Hanley...;" and miscellaneous notes,
photocopies, and brochures related to Dylan Thomas. 24 items (102 pp.)
Series I. Correspondence, A - H
Series I. Correspondence, I - R
Series I. Correspondence, S - Z & miscellaneous.
Series III - V & Appendix A.
Manuscripts written by John Malcolm Brinnin, 1930-1976
Manuscripts by other writers, 1918-1981
Miscellaneous material related to John Malcolm Brinnin, 1916-1978
List of printed material removed from the colleciton, to be cataloged for Special Collections, 1927-1978
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