Correspondence from Karl Germer to Philip Kaplan

West Point, Calif.

Box 258

April 3, 1958.

Dear Philip:

Thanks for your letter just received—I have been snow-bound for some days, therefore I got your letter only to-day.

To complete your picture, here is Yorke's [Gerald Yorke] letter received to-day:

"March 28. I wish you had told me about this find sooner. I am hoping to get a sight of the list of stuff that Lund [Robert Lund] is selling in a few days. Watkins [book dealer] has one which I understand is in the post to him, and on arrival he will let me see it. There is one magical MS. some ten magical MSS volumes of poetry, some 100 volumes of published works, many bound by Sankorsky [sic]. These should be the missing rariora, i.e. copies printed on vellum etc.—the bulk of the stuff that Quinn [John Quinn] never bought. Watkins' correspondent is asking what he ought to offer for the lot. If he buys it, Watkins says he thinks he can get me a typescript of the magical MSS. I gather that Lund has kept the diaries.

 

Lund should have received [Harold] Mortlake's letter asking for a list of what is for sale. You have by now seen a copy of my letter to Lund.—Will write again as soon as I have more news about it.—I left a bid for the MS. of the Mass of St. Secaire, and I understand that I have got it.—In haste. Yorke".

I will in turn send Yorke a copy of your letter to me. I think this is only fair. If Yorke works through Watkins, I feel sure that you have a great advantage over him, as a dealer can hardly bid as high.

Now that I hear a little more, I can only sat that you are quite right that the 107 specially bound books, many probably in vellum (not on ordinary hand-made paper), plus the many manuscripts, are worth much more than $750. If I had cash available I would fly to Detroit, try to look at the stuff and bid, or buy. I really wish you would be able to acquire the collection. I fear it will be difficult, as the fact that Watkins (the big London bookdealers) are in it means that most all other dealers know about it and will be after it.

Naturally, if you succeed in getting the lot, they are yours, and I or Yorke have no claim. All I (and I think Yorke) would ask that you would permit us to make copies of the material that we do not have. (We have the printed Mass of St. Secaire in The International, if Yorke makes a bid, he must have his own reason.) But the diaries if there are any, would be invaluable, possibly some other MSS. also. And the specially bound printed books will be unique.

This material in a friendly hand would be most welcome, and I wish you every success.—I have not yet received Yorke's copy of his letter to Lund, probably delayed in the mail.—I had a hunch that I should press my anxiety too much, and I see from your letter that 'disciples' of Crowley are not favoured.

Incidentally, John St. John is the diary which is published in Equinox I, 1, Special Supplement. But the original MS. must have some delicate passages which may be deleted in the book. Anyway, all the MSS. are priceless.—I shall not take any further steps, unless he writes me.—Now here is wishing you the best of luck!

Sincerely

Karl.

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