Samuel Beckett Papers (MSS008), 1946-1980 | MSS Manuscripts

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Collection Overview

Title: Samuel Beckett Papers (MSS008), 1946-1980

Predominant Dates:1946-1980

ID: MSS/MSS/008

Primary Creator: Beckett, Samuel (1906-1989)

Extent: 7.0 Boxes

Date Acquired: 08/03/1966

Languages: English, French

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection's strengths are in manuscripts of works Beckett wrote during the 1960's. Among the highlights are the set of 16 drafts for the story "Bing," as well as extensive groups of drafts for short pose pieces such as "Assez," "Le Depeupler," and "Imagination morte imaginez;" the heavily revised galley proof of the Olympia Press edition of the novel Watt; and the successive drafts for Play/Comedie. Also, the Beckett Papers contain the correspondence between the bookseller, Henry Wenning, and Beckett, which spans 1960-1971, some photographs and illustrations of Beckett, many of Beckett's notebooks, and photocopies of Beckett manuscripts from the University of Reading.

Collection Historical Note

Samuel Beckett was an Irish avant-garde novelist, playwright, theatre director, and poet, who lived in France for the most of his adult life. Writing in English and French, Beckett was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1969. His work offers a bleak, tragicomic outlook on human nature, often coupled with black comedy and gallows humor. His best-known play, Waiting for Godot (1953) is a comic study of philosophical uncertainty, and, like much of his work, focuses on the absurdity of human existence. Beckett graduated from Dublin's Trinity College in 1927 and settled in Paris, where he worked with James Joyce and published short stories and the novel Murphy (1938). During World War II, he joined the French Resistance and was eventually forced to leave Paris, but after the war he returned and wrote most of his important works, including the prose trilogy Molloy (1951), Malone Dies (Malone Meurt, 1951) and The Unnamable (L'Innommable, 1953), and the play Endgame (Fin de Partie, 1957). Never exactly mainstream, Beckett is nonetheless considered one of the most important European writers of the 20th century for his influence on modern literature and for his ability to impress, shock and confound.

Administrative Information

Repository: MSS Manuscripts

Access Restrictions: Open

Use Restrictions:

Users of the collection must read and agree to abide by the rules and procedures set forth in the Materials Use Policies.

Providing access to materials does not constitute permission to publish or otherwise authorize use. All publication not covered by fair use or other exceptions is restricted to those who have permission of the copyright holder, which may or may not be Washington University.

If you wish to publish or license Special Collections materials, please contact Special Collections to inquire about copyright status at (314) 935-5495 or spec@wumail.wustl.edu. (Publish means quotation in whole or in part in seminar or term papers, theses or dissertations, journal articles, monographs, books, digital forms, photographs, images, dramatic presentations, transcriptions, or any other form prepared for a limited or general public.)

Acquisition Source: Gift and purchase

Acquisition Method:

Accession number 766, purchased from Henry Wenning, 1966: August 3

Accession number 767, purchased from Bertram Rota Ltd, 1966: August 3

Accession number 768, gift of Henry Wenning, 1966: August 4

Accession number 770 (1180), purchsed from Henry Wenning, 1966: August 11

Accession number 846, Henry Wenning, 1967: July

Accession number 854, Henry Wenning, 1967: August 30

Accession number 855, Henry Wenning, 1967: August 31

Accession number 1180, purchased from Mrs. Ethel Diamond, 1970: April 22

Accession number 1261, purchased from Mrs. Ethel Diamond, 1971: March 11

Accession number 1266, gift of Henry Wenning and Mrs. Ethel Diamond, 1971: March 19

Accession number 1268, gift of Samuel Beckett through Henry Wenning, 1971: March 26

Accession number 1281, gift of Henry Wenning, 1971: July 23

Accession number 1286, Henry Wenning, 1971: July 28

Accession number 1289, gift of Henry Wenning, 1971: July 28

Accession number 1612, gift of Ruby Cohn, 1981: March

Accession number 1626, Avigdor Arikha, 1984: September 1984

Accession number MSS2016-009, purchase from Brian Cassidy, 2016: April 18

Accession number MSS2016-016, purchase from Brian Cassidy, 2016: May 10

Accession number MSS2018-011, purchase from Peter Grogan, 2018: May 8

Related Materials: See also the Samuel Beckett Ephemera (VMF014), the Samuel Beckett Posters (VMF233), and the Lord John Press Collection (MSS155).

Preferred Citation: Name of the Collection, Washington University Libraries, Department of Special Collections

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Correspondence],
[Series 2: Manuscripts],
[Series 3: Notebooks],
[Series 4: Visual Materials],
[Series 5: Reading University Photocopies],
[All]

Series 1: Correspondence

Box 1

Folder 1

Item 1: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1968: March 27

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages. Paris. Comments on Beckett's health, in particular his eyes and says no operation necessary. Discusses return to Paris and feelings about it. Mentions etchings for 'Beckett Book' (L'Issue)

Item 2: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1968: June 19

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages. Paris. Thanks Wenning for buying 7 copies of L'Issue and offers him 50% discount. Discusses book and relates history of Beckett text. Remarks that he is worried about Beckett who has closed himself off from friends because of a cough. Discusses feelings about recent student revolution in Paris and comments on his work

Item 3: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1968: July 4

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages. Paris. Thanks Wenning for remarks about L'Issue. Remarks that Beckett is still not well and rather weak, but feeling better. Says he is painting well after drawing only for so long

Item 4: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1968: August 2

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Paris. Discusses Beckett's health and expresses his concern. Reports that Beckett thinks it is not serious. States that he expects L'Issue to be sold out at the end of summer. Comments on pleasant holiday but acknowledges the worries

Item 5: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1968: September 18

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Paris. Apologizes for delay in writing. Remarks that Beckett's health much improved and that he has recovered from his lung abscess. Says he and his wife may move from Paris when their house is ready

Item 6: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1968: December 30

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages. Paris. Sends New Year's greetings. Affirms that Beckett is in Madeira, where he will stay through the winter, having left in the beginning of December. Says Beckett's health much improved

Item 7: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1969: March 15

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. New York. Remarks on Wenning's catalog and invited him to New York. Mentions that Anne, his wife, has seen Beckett on his return to Paris and says his health improved

Item 8: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1969: May 19

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Paris. Comments on his collage 'To Neptune' which Wenning holds. Remarks upon their meeting in New York. Says Beckett is well and writing. Discusses his show to be held in the winter and the political scene in France

Item 9: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1969: June 21

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Paris. Welcomes Wennings' daughter to Paris in July. Says Beckett is well and in fine form. Says his show is scheduled for early 1970

Item 10: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1969: August 24

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages. Paris. Apologizes for delay in writing and for not being able to see his daughter Jessica. Explains his wife is under special care in her pregnancy. Says he is glad Beckett is able to see Jessica. Remarks that he is reading a great deal and keeping to himself. Asks if Wenning knows of English translations of Reubens letters. Says his show date to be set in September

Item 11: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1969: September 11

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Paris. Remarks on Reubens book. Says his wife has given birth to a daughter and is fine. Remarks that Beckett is well and in Berlin; he has spoken to him on the phone and Beckett has said that he likes the actor who is playing Krapp. Arikha mentions his show.

Typescript transcription also included, 1 item

Item 12: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1969: October 13

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Paris. Thanks Wenning for his efforts at obtaining a copy of Reubens letters and asks him to give up searching. Thanks him for blanket, given for new baby. Says he is still not working and that his show is scheduled for spring. Beckett, he reports, is in Tunisia for the warm climate

Item 13: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1969: October 29

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Paris. Comments on Nobel Prize and says that Beckett 'feared' the award for several years. Laments that the prize will ruin Beckett's vacation. Says he has found a flat and apologizes again for the difficulty with the Reubens letters

Item 14: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1969: November 24

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Paris. Thanks him for Reubens letters he found. Says Beckett is fine, swimming everyday and returning to Paris in January. Comments on his show and life in Paris as vulgar

Item 15: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1969: December 5

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Paris. Thanks him for the Reubens book which arrived. Says new flat not ready till the new year

Item 16: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1969: December 26

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages. Paris. Still has not moved to new flat - expects to move in mid-January. He is getting his new studio ready. Speaks of work of Julius [Bilsier], the Geldzeheb catalog and exhibit

Item 17: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1970: March 11

Typed letter signed, 1 page. Paris. Says his exhibition will be in he autumn and that it was announced by the Culture Minister. Gives details and feelings about it. Went to Oxford, he says, to see the first performance of "Breath"

Item 18: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1970: June 19

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Paris. Discusses recent travels to Israel. Related that Beckett's operation postponed. Discusses his exhibit and the catalog that is being prepared for it

Item 19: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1970: July 20

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Paris. States that Beckett is resting in the country. Discusses his show and says they are taking holiday in August

Item 20: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1970: August 8

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Paris. Sets price of etching and states it is only printed copy made by himself. States summer holiday plans

Item 21: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1970: October 18

Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Paris. Reports that Beckett's eye operation is completely successful, and that he "sees a brightness." Says at last there is a reason to rejoice

Item 22: Arikha, Avigdor to Wenning, Henry, 1971: February 23

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages. Paris. Says Beckett's other eye operation was successful and he is well and getting new glasses. Discusses his show and remarks on its suscess

Folder 2

Item 23: Arikha, Anne to Wenning, Henry, 1969: November 14: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Paris. Thanks him for the gift for the new baby and remarks on new flat and how pleased she is with Beckett's prize. Note from Avigdor appended

Folder 3

Item 24: Beckett, Samuel to Hazard, George, 1967: July 20: Autograph card signed, 1 page

Folder 4

Item 25: Beckett, Samuel to Manning, John, 1959: April 4: Autograph note signed, 1 page
Item 26: Beckett, Samuel to Manning, John, 1959: October 15: Autograph card signed, 1 page
Item 27: Beckett, Samuel to Manning, John, 1959: November 5: Autograph card signed, 1 page
Item 28: Beckett, Samuel to Manning, John, 1959: November 20: Autograph card signed, 1 page
Item 29: Beckett, Samuel to Manning, John, 1960: May 5: Autograph note signed, 1 page

Folder 4.1

Item 1: Beckett, Samuel to Miss Marx, 1955: October 15

Typed letter signed, 1 page

Beckett informs his correspondent, Miss Marx - possibly the editor and publisher Erica - that he has been in "negotiations with Faber & Faber for an English edition of `Godot'. These have now been successfully concluded and I signed the contract yesterday."

Folder 5

Item 30: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1960: September 22: Typed letter signed, 1 page
Item 31: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1960: October 1: Autograph note signed, 1 page
Item 32: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1960: December 21: Autograph note signed, 1 page

Folder 6

Item 33: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1961: May 18: Typed letter signed, 1 page. Comments on the success of "Waiting fo Godot" at Odeon Theatre (Paris) and progress on his new play, "Happy Days"
Item 34: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1961: June 2: Autograph letter signed, 2 pages. Describes the London production of Godot at Joan Littlewood's theatre as "a very Irish production which I would not like." Happy Days is finished
Item 35: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1961: June 15: Autograph note signed, 2 pages. Date written 1961: April 15 (15-04-61) not 1961: June 15 (15-06-61), determined by researcher Lois Overbeck in 2004: September
Item 36: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1961: July 3: Autograph note signed, 1 page
Item 37: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1961: December 4: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Discusses his writing and how it is misunderstood. Also discusses current projects: Comment c'est and radio scripts. Refers to German production of "Happy Days"

Folder 7

Item 38: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1962: January 25: Autograph note signed, 1 page
Item 39: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1962: February 12: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Comments on shaky acting in the recent production of "Endgame"
Item 39.1: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1962: February 26: Autograph note signed, 1 page
Item 40: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1962: March 9: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 41: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1962: December: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Reports on his progress on the translations of Comment c'est and "Happy Days": "Nothing but this dreary work and nothing else in sight"

Folder 8

Item 42: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1963: February 6: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 43: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1963: April 14: Typed letter signed, 1 page
Item 44: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1963: April 18: Autograph note signed, 1 page
Item 45: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1963: June 10: Typed letter signed, 1 page. Traveling to Austria to work on "Play," "Words and Music," and "Cascando" for the Faber edition. Reports on rehearsals of German production of "Play"
Item 46: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1963: July 31: Typed letter signed, 1 page. References to How It Is, the new Faber book, production of "Happy Days" for Venice Theatre Festival, and French production of "Comedie"
Item 47: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1963: August 14: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 48: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1963: August 23: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 49: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1963: September 18: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Reports on rehearsals of "Oh Les Beaux Jours"
Item 50: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1963: September 26: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Refers to "Film;" remarks that his wife, Suzanne, is in Venice for the production of "Happy Days"

Folder 9

Item 51: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1964: January 9: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Year uncertain
Item 52: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1964: March 3: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 53: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1964: March 14: Autograph note signed, 1 page
Item 54: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1964: April 11: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Says he's very pleased with the Old Vic production of "Play." Referring to How It Is: "All I know is it had to be like that. Would never dream of defending it"
Item 55: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1964: May 5: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. News of the tour of "Happy Days" to Canada and Rome. Has consented to a re-issue of More Pricks Than Kicks by Calder and Grove Press
Item 56: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1964: May 22: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Just signed contract with Calder for More Pricks, for publication the following year, though he hasn't looked at it in 25 years
Item 57: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1964: June 11: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 58: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1964: June 17: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 59: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1964: June 23: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 60: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1964: September 8: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 61: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1964: September 8: Telegram, 1 page. Elaborates on his reasons for not selling Godot manuscript
Item 62: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1964: October 18: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Apologizes for not answering Wenning's previous letter because he was "absorbed by failure to continue writing"
Item 63: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1964: December 28: Autograph note signed, 1 page. More discussion of the London Godot production

Folder 10

Item 64: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1965: January 1: Autograph note signed, 1 page. Relieved that Godot rehearsals in London are over and says "no more theatre for me now for many a long day"
Item 65: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1965: January 21: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. More discussion of the London Godot production
Item 66: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1965: March 13: Typed letter signed, 1 page. Is touched by Wenning's comments on Beckett's life and work. Says he wishes he could feel it that way. "All I can feel is the threshold of the big chance and inability to cross through tiredness and feebleness and foolish living"
Item 67: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1965: March 29: Typed letter signed, 1 page. Describes his new play "Come and Go"
Item 68: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1965: April 1: Autograph note signed, 1 page
Item 69: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1965: April 7: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 70: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1965: December 19: Autograph letter signed, 1 page

Folder 11

Item 71: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1966: January 9: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Refers to upcoming publications; his involvement in the film version of "Play;" upcoming rehearsals in London and Stuttgart
Item 72: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1966: January 22: Autograph card signed, 1 page. Date written 1966: January 22 (22-01-66), but should be 1967: January 22 because postmark is 22-01-1967, determined by researcher Lois Overbeck in 2004: September. Filed in folder 12
Item 73: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1966: June 26: Autograph card signed, 1 page
Item 74: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1966: August 21: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Describes film setting from "addenda" to Watt, says he likes the music and the film

Folder 12

Item 75: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1967: May 13: Autograph note signed, 2 pages. States his plan to direct "Endgame" in Germany during August and September
Item 76: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1967: May 17: Autograph note signed, 2 pages
Item 77: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1967: May 29: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 78: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1967: June: Autograph card signed, 1 page. Date uncertain. Written on recto of June 6 letter from Judith Schmidt to Beckett
Item 79: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1967: June 5: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 80: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1967: July 3: Autograph note signed, 2 pages
Item 81: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1967: July 18: Autograph note signed, 2 pages
Item 82: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1967: September 29: Autograph note signed, 1 page
Item 83: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1967: September 30: Autograph note signed, 1 page
Item 84: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1967: November 3: Autograph note signed, 2 pages
Item 85: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1967: November 17: Autograph note signed, 2 pages. Refers to his "banal cataracts;" his progress in translating Watt
Item 86: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1967: December 8: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Informs Wenning of his gift of a manuscript to a sale to benefit the South African National Congress
Item 87: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1967: December 27: Autograph note signed, 1 page

Folder 13

Item 88: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1968: March 17: Autograph letter signed, 2 pages
Item 89: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1968: March 28: Autograph note signed, 2 pages. Gives his impressions from a recent trip to Ireland to attend an aunt's funeral
Item 90: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1968: June 30: Autograph note signed, 1 page
Item 91: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1968: July 9: Autograph note signed, 1 page. Day uncertain
Item 92: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1968: September 18: Autograph note signed, 2 pages
Item 93: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1968: October 12: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Typescript transcription also included, 1 item

Folder 14

Item 94: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1969: February 8: Autograph card signed, 1 page
Item 95: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1969: March 31: Typed letter signed, 1 page
Item 96: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1969: May 12: Autograph note signed, 2 pages
Item 97: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1969: May 22: Autograph note signed, 2 pages. Plans to direct "Krapp's Last Tape" in Berlin in September. Hopes that left cataract can be removed after that
Item 98: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1969: June 20: Autograph letter signed, 2 pages. Notes that he's thinking of giving the Godot manuscript to the proposed Samuel Beckett theatre at Oxford, "if it ever comes off"
Item 99: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1969: July 9: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 100: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1969: August 10: Autograph note signed, 2 pages
Item 101: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1969: October 2: Autograph card signed, 1 page
Item 102: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1969: November 2: Autograph note signed, 2 pages
Item 103: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1969: December 7: Autograph note signed, 2 pages
Item 104: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1969: December 9: Autograph note signed, 2 pages. Discusses his "irrational reluctance" to part yet with Godot manuscript. Of Jerom Lindon (editor at Editions de Minuit): he is "taking the knock in my stead today and tomorrow in Stockholm." Discusses his reaction to the prize
Item 105: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1969: December 21: Autograph letter signed, 1 page

Folder 15

Item 106: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1970: Date uncertain. Card was written after 1966: April and before 1968, determined by researcher Lois Overbeck in 2004: September
Item 107: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1970: February 21: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 108: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1970: May 18: Autograph card signed, 1 page. Remarks that "things are not what they were but no doubt wonderful compared to what they will be"
Item 109: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1970: June 12: Autograph card signed, 1 page. Date written in Beckett's hand as 1960: September 12 (12-09-60); date written in another hand as 1970: June 12(06-12-70), determined by researcher Lois Overbeck in 2004: September
Item 110: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1970: July 10: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 111: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1970: August 23: Autograph card signed, 2 pages
Item 112: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1970: September 27: Autograph card signed, 2 pages. Discusses various works in progress, and "silly" Nobel edition of Malone dies and Happy Days
Item 113: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1970: October 1: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 114: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1970: December 15: Autograph card signed, 2 pages
Item 115: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1970: December 28: Autograph card signed, 1 page

Folder 16

Item 116: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1971: January 22: Autograph letter signed, 1 page
Item 117: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1971: February 6: Autograph letter signed, 1 page. Thanks Wenning for help in getting gift of money to "D.B."[Djuna Barnes]. Says he may have been "unduly distressed" about her situation, but is glad for her to have the money, as he "saw a little of her here in the old days and always admired Nightwood"
Item 118: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1971: March 14: Autograph letter signed, 1 page

Folder 17

Item 119: Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry: Envelopes, 69 items

Folder 18

Item 120: Roberts, F.W. to Wenning, Henry, 1964: September 14: Typed letter signed, 1 page

Folder 19

Item 121: Rota, Anthony to Wenning, Henry, 1964: October 27: Typed letter signed, 1 page. Author uncertain

Folder 20

Item 122: Schmidt, Judith to Beckett, Samuel, 1967: June 6: Typed letter signed, 1 page. Filed with Beckett, Samuel to Wenning, Henry, 1967
Item 123: Schmidt, Judith to Wenning, Henry, 1964: February 10: Typed note signed, 1 page
Item 124: Schmidt, Judith to Wenning, Henry, 1964: December 4: Typed note signed, 1 page

Folder 21

Item 125: Wenning, Henry to Beckett, Samuel, 1960: September 13: Typed letter [carbon], 1 page. Typescript [carbon], 1 page list of Beckett's books enclosed
Item 126: Wenning, Henry to Beckett, Samuel, 1964: December 7: Typed letter [carbon], 1 page

Folder 22

Item 127: Wenning, Henry to Schmidt, Judith, 1964: February 12: Typed letter [carbon], 1 page
Item 128: Wenning, Henry to Schmidt, Judith, 1967: December 7: Typed note [carbon], 1 page

Series 2: Manuscripts

Box 2

Folder 23: All that fall [radio play], 1957: Typescript [carbon], 28 pages. 1 item
Folder 24: Assez [story], 1965: Typescript and typescript [carbon], 30 pages. 5 items
Folder 25: Bing [story], 1966: Typescript, 21 pages. 10 items
Folder 26: ... but the clouds [play], 1976: Typescript [photocopy], 7 pages. 1 item
Folder 27: The calmative [story]: Typescript and typescript [carbon], 36 pages. 3 items
Folder 28: Cascando [radio play]: Typescript, 17 pages. 2 items
Folder 29: Cascando [radio play]: Typescript and typescript [carbon], 23 pages. 3 items
Folder 30: Come and go [play]: Typescript and typescript [carbon], 18 pages. 4 items
Folder 31: Come and go [play]: Typescript [carbon], 4 pages. 1 item
Folder 32: Comedie [play]: Autograph, typescript, typescript [carbon], tearsheets, 58 pages. 5 items
Folder 33: D'un ouvrage abandonne, 1966: Typescript [carbon], 18 pages. 2 items
Folder 34: Le depeupleur, 1965: Typescript, 49 pages
Folder 35: Dis joe [television play], 1965: Autograph, typescript, typescript [carbon], 15 pages. 3 items
Folder 36: Eh, joe. [television play], 1965: Autograph, typescript, typescript [carbon], 48 pages. 7 items
Folder 37: Eh, joe [television play], 1965: Typescript [carbon], 6 pages. 1 item
Folder 38: Enough [story]: Typescript and typescript [carbon], 15 pages. 3 items
Folder 39: Film [screenplay], 1963: Typescript [carbon], 13 pages. 1 item
Folder 40: Film [screenplay], 1965: Typescript [photocopy], 22 pages. 1 item
Folder 41: Film [screenplay], 1971: Autograph, typescript, and typescript [carbon], 40 pages. 3 items
Folder 42: Footfalls [play], 1976: Typescript [photocopy], 6 pages. 1 item
Folder 43: Imagination dead imagine [story], 1965: Typescript, 4 pages. 2 items
Folder 44: Imagination morte imaginez [story]: Typescript and typescript [carbon], 13 pages. 6 items
Folder 45: Lessness [radio play], 1971: Typescript [photocopy], 11 pages. 1 item
Folder 46: Lessness [radio play], 1971: Typescript [photocopy], 24 pages. 1 item
Folder 47: Malone Dies [novel]: Typescript, 160 pages. 2 items

Box 3

Folder 48: Molloy [novel], 1955

Typescript, 10 pages. 1 item

Folder 49: Molloy [novel], 1955

Typescript, 108 pages. 1 item. Part 1

Folder 50: Molloy [novel], 1955

Typescript, 210 pages. 1 item

Folder 51: Molloy [novel]

Typescript and typescript [carbon], 16 pages. 2 items

Folder 52: No's knife [prose collection]

Galley proofs, 28 items. Located in oversize

Folder 53: The north [prose], 1972

Printer's proof of title page, 1 page. 1 item

Folder 54: Oh les beaux jours [play]

Typescript, 57 pages. 2 items

Folder 55: Ohio impromptu [play], 1980

Typescript [carbon], 4 pages. 1 item

Folder 56: Paroles et musique [radio play], 1965

Typescript, 16 pages. 2 items

Folder 57: A piece of monologue [dramatic monologue], 1980

Typescript [photocopy], 3 pages

Folder 58: Ping [story], 1966

Autograph and typescript, 10 pages. 3 items

Folder 59: Play [play], 1963

Page proofs, 16 pages. 1 item

Folder 60: Play [play], 1963

Typescript and typescript [carbon], 125 pages. 10 items

Folder 61: Poems in English [collection of poems], 1961

Page proofs, 3 pages

Folder 62: Rockaby [play], 1981

Typescript [photocopy], 6 pages. 1 item

Folder 63: Rough for Radio [play], 1976

Typescript [photocopy], 15 pages. 1 item

Folder 64: Still [prose text], 1972

Typescript [photocopy], 2 pages. 1 item

Folder 65: Stories and texts for nothing [collection of short prose]

Typescript and typescript [carbon], 63 pages. 4 items.

Includes the expelled, the calmative, the end, and text for nothing

Folder 66: Suite [story], 1946

Page proofs, 7 pages

Folder 67: Texts for nothing [collection of short prose], 1963

Typescript and typescript [carbon], 71 pages. 2 items

Folder 68: That time [play], 1976

Typescript [photocopy], 6 pages. 1 item

Folder 69: Tryst [television play], 1976

Typescript [photocopy], 11 pages. 1 item

Box 4

Folder 70: The unnamable [novel]: Typescript, 144 pages
Folder 71: Va et Vient [play], 1965: Autograph, typescript, and typescript [carbon], 13 pages. 3 items
Folder 72: Watt [novel]: Galley proof, 86 pages. 1 item
Folder 73: Watt [novel]: Typescript [photocopy], 1 page. 1 item. Includes identifying note by Henry Wenning
Folder 74: Words and Music [radio play], 1961: Autograph, typescript, and typescript [carbon], 27 pages. 3 items
Folder 75: Autograph note: Notecard, autograph, written by Beckett, listing titles written in English (Words & Music, Eh Joe, Happy Days, Play, Come & Go) and titles written in French (Cascando, Assez, Imagination morte..., Bing). n.d. 5 titles in English, 4 titles in French. 1 p. Cut from notecard in Box 4 Folder 77.

Series 3: Notebooks

Box 4

Folder 76: Assez: 1 item, 33 pages
Folder 77: Bing: 2 items. Autograph draft of "Bing," 31 pages. Notecard, autograph, written by Beckett, explaining <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, "Segoe UI", Calibri, Thonburi, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif, "Mongolian Baiti", "Microsoft Yi Baiti", "Javanese Text"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">the Bing-Le dépeupleur connection</span>. n.d. 1 page. Cut from note in Box 3 Folder 75.
Folder 78: Dis joe: 1 item, 30 pages. Includes Paroles et musique and Imagination dead
Folder 79: D'un ouvrage abandonne: 1 item, 25 pages
Folder 80: Imagination dead: 1 item, 30 pages. Includes Paroles et musique and Dis joe. Located with Dis joe.
Folder 81: Le depeupleur (I): 1 item, 60 pages
Folder 82: Le depeupleur (II): 1 item, 41 pages
Folder 83: Paroles et musique: 1 item, 30 pages. Includes Imagination dead and Dis joe. Located with Dis joe.
Folder 84: Texts for nothing: 1 item, 112 pages

Series 4: Visual Materials

Box 5

Item 1: Beckett by a pond: 1 item, black and white print
Item 2: Beckett by a boat: 1 item, black and white print
Item 3: Madeleine Renaud as Winnie in Oh les beaux jours: 1 item, black and white print
Item 4: Beckett on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie directed by Marin Karmitz. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 5: Beckett and Michael Lonsdale on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie directed by Marin Karmitz. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 6: Michael Lonsdale on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie directed by Marin Karmitz. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 7: Marin Karmitz on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 8: Delphine Seyrig on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie directed by Marin Karmitz. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 9: Delphine Seyrig and Eléonore Hirt on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 10: Beckett, Michael Lonsdale, and Marin Karmitz on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 11: Michael Lonsdale on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie directed by Marin Karmitz. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 12: Michael Lonsdale on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie directed by Marin Karmitz. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 13: Delphine Seyrig, Michael Lonsdale, and Eléonore Hirt on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 14: Delphine Seyrig on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie directed by Marin Karmitz. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 15: Michael Lonsdale on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie directed by Marin Karmitz. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 16: Delphine Seyrig, Michael Lonsdale, and Eléonore Hirt on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 17: Delphine Seyrig and Michael Lonsdale on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 18: Delphine Seyrig, Michael Lonsdale, and Eléonore Hirt on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 19: Michael Lonsdale on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie directed by Marin Karmitz. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 20: Eléonore Hirt on the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 21: On the film set of the 1966 adaption of Comedie. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 22: Roger Blin in the 1957 original production of Endgame at the Royal Theater. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 23: Roger Blin in the 1957 original production of Endgame at the Royal Theater. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 24: Roger Blin in the 1957 original production of Endgame at the Royal Theater. Photograph by Rosine Nusimovici: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 25: Beckett head shot by Rosine Nusimovici, circa 1960s: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 26: Beckett profile shot by Rosine Nusimovici, circa 1960s: 1 item, 9.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 27: Beckett, Yer man is apparently pictured at the vernissage for a Bram van Velde exhibition in Paris. On verso: Mention Obligatoire. Gallery Lelong. Photograph by Michel Nguyen, circa 1980s: 1 item, 5.5" x 7" black and white print
Item 28: Samuel Beckett Profile Without Glasses, etching by Avigdor Arikha, 1970: Trial proof of line-etching. 9 3/8" x 7". Located in oversize
Item 29: Samuel Beckett Seated Half Length Holding a Glass of Vine [sic], etching by Avigdor Arikha, 1970: Aquatint and line-etching, edition of 50. 9 3/8" x 7". Located in oversize

Series 5: Reading University Photocopies

Photocopies of selected holdings from Reading University's Samuel Beckett collection. Cannot be photocopies without the permission of Reading University

Box 6

Folder 85: All that fall [radio play], 1956

Autograph [photocopy], 47 pages. See Fin de partie [play]

Folder 86: Le bateau ivre [poem] by Arthur Rimbaud, 1930

Typescript [photocopy], 2 pages. 1 item. Typescript of a translation into English by Beckett

Folder 87: Bing [story]

Galley proof [photocopy], 4 pages. 1 item

Folder 88: Breath [play], 1971

Autograph [photocopy] and typescript [photocopy], 2 pages. 2 items

Folder 89: Dream of fair to middling women [unpublished novel], 1932

Typescript [photocopy], 221 pages. 4 items. Includes three letters from Nicholas Zurbrugg to James Knowlson, 1973-1974

Folder 90: Eleutheria [unpublished play]

Typescript [photocopy], 134 pages. 1 item

Folder 91: Film [screenplay], 1963

Autograph [photocopy], 45 pages. Includes some lines of Text for nothing [collection of short prose]

Folder 92: Film [screenplay], 1964

Typescript [photocopy], 42 pages. 1 item

Folder 93: Fin de partie [play], 1956

Autograph [photocopy], 47 pages.

Includes fragments, drafts or notes of Fin de partie [play], All that fall [radio play], Krapp's last tape [play], and Pim and Willie-Winnie (Happy days) [play]

Folder 94: Fragment de theatre [play], 1974

Autograph [photocopy], 12 pages. 1 item. See The gloaming [play]

Box 7

Folder 95: The gloaming [play], 1956: Autograph [photocopy] and typescript [photocopy], 43 pages. 4 items
Folder 96: Good heavens [play]: Autograph [photocopy], 5 pages. 1 item. See unpublished and unfinished works
Folder 97: Happy days [play], 1956: Autograph [photocopy], 47 pages. 1 item. See Fin de partie [play]
Folder 98: Jean du Chas [prose piece], 1930: Typescript [photocopy], 5 pages. 1 item
Folder 99: Krapp's last tape [play], 1956: Autograph [photocopy], 47 pages. 1 item. See Fin de partie [play]
Folder 100: Not I [play], 1972: Autograph [photocopy] and typescript [photocopy], 59 pages. 11 items
Folder 101: Not I [play], 1973: Autograph [photocopy] and typescript [photocopy], 20 pages. 3 items
Folder 102: Pim [play], 1956: Autograph [photocopy], 47 pages. 1 item. See Fin de partie [play]
Folder 103: Premier amour [short story], 1972: Autograph [photocopy] and typescript [photocopy], 37 pages. 2 items
Folder 104: Souffle [play], 1971: Typescript [photocopy], 1 page. 1 item. See Breath [play]
Folder 105: Text for nothing [collection of short prose], 1963: Autograph [photocopy], 45 pages. 1 item. See Film [screenplay]
Folder 106: Sounds [prose piece], 1973: Autograph [photocopy], 2 pages. 1 item. See unpublished and unfinished works
Folder 107: Still 3, 1973: Autograph [photocopy], 3 pages. 1 item. See unpublished and unfinished works
Folder 108-109: Unpublished and unfinished works: Typescript [photocopy], 115 pages. 18 items

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Correspondence],
[Series 2: Manuscripts],
[Series 3: Notebooks],
[Series 4: Visual Materials],
[Series 5: Reading University Photocopies],
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