The six stolen letters

Here's what William Faulkner wrote in the six letters that were recently stolen from Southeast Missouri State University's Rare Book Room. Four of them were written to his editor and confidant, Saxe Commins.

Letter from Faulkner, typed and signed, to film producer Lamar Trotti in 1943, dated "Sunday," concerning "The Ox-Bow Incident" movie starring Henry Fonda:

Dear Mr. Trotti

I have just seen the Oxbow Incident. It is a good, sound, solid job. But the dignity of the result, the picture itself, should be enough reward for yours & Mr. Wellman's and Mr. Fonda's taste & restraints, without encomiums and gratulations from outside. I have seen 3 good pictures since last August now, and though yours is third, it is by no means last.

William Faulkner

Letter, signed, from Faulkner to Saxe Commins, "Saturday" (probably mid-February 1951):

Dear Saxe

This is in most complete confidence. The principal reason is, I dont want my family in Oxford to learn about it until I decide to tell them myself. If it works out that way, I will let them think that I am merely in New York finishing my playnovel.

I want to go to Europe about April 15th, for 2 weeks. Air will be quickest. I would like to cross in Betty Haas's aeroplane, if she is going then, which I suppose would be to London, and my trip can still be kept confidential by her & Bob. I would like to cross & return by her flight, April 15th, back April 27-30th, if she is scheduled then. If she is not, book me over & return, those dates, by B.O.A.C. Can you do this, keep it under Random House's hat until I explain?

Can you send me Elliot Paul's address? Will be here,

Beverly-Carlton Hotel,

Beverly Hills, Calif.

or

c/o Howard Hawks,

R.K.O. Studio,

Hollywood, Calif.

until about March 15th.

Bill

Letter from Faulkner to Saxe Commins, "Tuesday" (probably late February 1951), from Beverly Hills, Calif.:

Dear Saxe

I am ashamed for having neglected to acknowledge your letters. I did not ignore them -- I was just waiting until I could be definite -- more so about whether I could afford the trip, also some good covering reason because of Oxford, and my present notoriety. Also, since the tickets do not have to be picked up until April 1, I did not hurry.

Saw Bob today (he sends his best, looks rested and content) who has given me an official reason to go. But if possible, please wait a little longer about taking up the tickets. I am returning home Monday, 12th. Will try to complete all plans by Thurs. and will wire you to pick up tickets.

My best to you, as always. Bless your kind heart.

Bill

Letter from Faulkner to Dorothy and Saxe Commins, Jan. 4, 1954, signed autograph manuscript with envelope addressed in Faulkner's hand and postmarked Suvretta, St. Moritz, Switzerland:

Dear Dorothy and Saxe,

The job here is going all right, but I was right about not wanting it. I am already sick to the teeth of rich American expatriates from income tax, who have moved intact their entire Hollywood lives to Europe. Got away from it Xmas, Stockholm and London & Paris. Just got back tonight.

Have had no word from home yet, so I suppose everything is all right. Have made no arrangement about this money yet, so will you please transfer $2,500 to my account, First National Bank, Oxford, Miss. Don't notify anyone at Oxford: just make the transfer.

I am well, not happy. Will keep you informed of new addresses. Love to all.

Bill

Letter from Faulkner to Saxe Commins, "Sunday 14th," signed autograph manuscript with envelope addressed in Faulkner's hand and postmarked Pyramids, Egypt, March 14, 1954:

Dear Saxe

Thank you for your letter. I knew about it. I think she is too honest, even if there was nothing else, not to let me know. We knew a year ago that her life was not right, she was not demon-driven enough for art, writing to suffice, too much middle class background saying home, marriage, children. I was not free to marry her, even if I had not been too old. So I -- we -- expected this. That was my trouble last winter 1953: the art should have been enough. But it was not. She told me last fall when she met Bowen, that she might marry him, that she would tell me herself -- not let a stranger do it. Which she did: wrote me here about middle April that she had decided, and the date. So I knew. I want her happy. If she is, I am the best friend Bowen ever had.

Incidentally, a queer thing has happened to me, almost a repetition; this one is even named Jean. She is 19, daughter of M.C.A. cap. living in Paris in the house of her bachelor uncle, the European representative. She came to me in St Moritz almost exactly as Joan did in Oxford. But she has none of the emotional conventional confusion which poor Joan had. This one is so uninhibited that she frightens me a little. I left St Moritz to spend Xmas in England, assuming that she would be gone, since she was supposed to be back in Paris New Years to go back to school. But she was still in St Moritz. She stayed there until her momma in Venice found where she was, and ordered her back to Paris by telephone. She came to Rome when we moved there, and stayed there until her momma found out where she was, and ordered her back to Paris by telephone. I expect any day now for her to come to Cairo. She is charming, delightful, completely transparent, completely trustful. I will not hurt her for any price. She doesn't want anything of me -- only to love me, be in love. You will probably meet her next fall when we are home again. The other affair would have hurt of course, except for this.

My love to everyone.

Bill

Letter from Faulkner to Mary Winslow Chapman, secretary, Longreen Hunt Germantown, Tenn., from Oxford, Miss., on May 3, 1961, signed ribbon typescript with envelope addressed in Faulkner's hand postmarked Oxford, May 6, 1961:

Dear Mrs Chapman:

Notice that the subscription list is open was in the mail today.

Thank you for the chance to subscribe and do my bit to support fox hunting in our country; I would want to subscribe even if I didn't hunt.

I dont know just what my status is so I enclose the check in blank. Please fill in for whatever fits my case. Would be happy to subscribe the $75.00 even though I am not a member, if this is acceptable.

I leave for Va. Sunday, will he back in July, when I hope vou will bring the hounds and mounts down here. We can do 'some night hill-topping with cars and see how the fox will run, and ride the country by day and see where to open it up. I suggested this to Mr Anderson last month, will communicate with him as soon as I get back from Va.

Yours sincerely,

/s/ William Faulkner

/t/ William Faulkner