signed unbound
1944 · Washington, D.C.
by MACLEISH, Archibald (1892 - 1982)
Washington, D.C., 1944. unbound. These letters involve a French translation of his anti-war poem "The Young Dead Soldiers," a stirring anthem whereby deceased soldiers cry out with the hope they did not die in vain. Each letter is 1 page on Library of Congress letterhead, 10.5 x 8 inches, Washington, D.C. The first is written to Louis Dolivet, editor of the Free World, November 29, 1944, whereby MacLeish advises him (in part) that he received "a very touching letter...with an enclosed proposed translation of The Young Dead Soldiers...for use in your special number of Monde Libre. It so happens, that a translation prepared by a French Canadian was sent to me some time ago that I did quite a lot of work on it. I enclose a Photostat which shows the original translation and the changes I suggested. I did not know how Professor Chinard would feel about modifying his translation along the lines of this one. He has left out the third verse...which is essential to the construction of the poem." On December 2, 1944, MacLeish writes Professor Gilbert Chinard, in part: "...I have written Dolivet directly as you suggested...sending him a copy of an earlier translation of which I did quite a lot of work. The one specific request I had was that the third verse of the poem, which was omitted in your translation, should be included, since I felt that it is necessary to the structure of the whole. I am really very deeply pleased that you want to do it and much moved by the delicacy of your approach..." Staining and uneven toning; very good(-) condition. American poet of the Modernistic school who was the recipient of three Pulitzer Prizes. (Inventory #: 266377)