105 - Edward Gordon CRAIG (1872–1966)

Edward Gordon CRAIG (1872–1966) Set of 4 letters and 2 postcards in English written between 1913 and 1914, sent from Italy to Jurgis Kasimirovitch Baltruchaïtis (1873–1944), who was then traveling between Paris, Rome, and Moscow: - January 3, 1913 “I do not want to see people. I want to see no one, and I want you to be here. Perhaps that is the cry of a restless, dissatisfied brute who ought to be killed. But I feel my solitude right now and enjoy feeling alone. I am decidedly not very well, for my nerves are so foolish that they start tormenting my body with very little provocation. I see pigeons flying around the city, and I feel happy. Someone says, ‘Come sta Craig?’ and I feel quite ill at once. If they say, ‘How do you do? What news from Bulgaria?’ I feel ready to faint like the old man in Edward Hear’s book. But I would welcome your coming. (...) I’ve been asked once again to go to America. Ugh.” —a long letter from April 18, 1913, in which he reflects on the theater: “What is this torn-foolery in London-Moscow-Paris– St. Petersburg–Berlin–Munich? Does it really believe that its parody of art, its foolish inventions, have anything whatsoever to do with the parents of all arts—imagination and ecstasy?” -A C.A.S. addressed to Maria Ivanovna Olovyanichnikova (c. 1879–1948) dated February 19, 1914, J.K. Baltruchaïtis met up with Craig in Florence before his train departed, and the two of them wrote a postcard to Maria Ivanovna. -May 18, 1914 “Dear B. I hope you are well and that your activities are going well for you. By now you have learned a little more about the stage than you did 18 months ago. I hope this knowledge has not formed like a rubber mist between you and what should still be the Theater.” MC Provenance -Jurgis Kasimirovitch Baltruchaïtis (1873–1944), Lithuanian diplomat and poet. -Their son, Jurgis Jurgissovitch Baltruchaïtis (1903–1988), historian. -His wife, Hélène Baltruchaïtis (1908–2004), née Castel-Focillon, daughter of Henri Focillon (1881–1943). -Then by descent.