Autograph Letter to Mr. and Mrs. John Symonds
William B. Todd. Autograph Letter Signed to Mr. and Mrs. John Symonds. December 3rd, 1966.
Short single sided manuscript letter from William B. Todd on small format Atlantic Hotel (London) letterhead dated “Saturday, 12.iii.1966”. “Dear Friends,/ Please allow me to convey my thanks for a most delightful evening last Monday and to express again my appreciation of John’s culinary art.” As Crowley was known for his spicy curries, it would be interesting to know what Symonds’ culinary art entailed. Mentions being happy for the opportunity to have met Kathleen Raine [known for her work on William Blake] and Peter Fryer, whose work on "Mrs. Grundy" Todd said he was already reading.
Letter includes its original postmarked envelope, upon which John Symonds has written: “from William B Todd/ Chief Librarian, Texas/ University, a learned man,/ pleasant too!”
The author John Symonds (1914-2006) was occultist Aleister Crowley’s literary executor and early, if not harsh, biographer. William Todd, working at UT Austin, was a champion for the purchase of Symonds manuscripts by the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center in the early 60’s.
Letter folded in quarters, envelope opened roughly at the top with tears and minor paper loss. FCB-836. Item #836Price: $50.00