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Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953
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Under Milk Wood,

  • NLW ex 2797.
  • File
  • [1971]-[1972] /

A first draft screenplay by the director Andrew Sinclair (Timon Films, London), [1971]-[1972], of the play by Dylan Thomas. A piece of paper has been pasted on the title page with the words: 'For Andrew, I have rarely admired or liked a man better! Affectionately Richard B.'.

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Dylan Thomas letter to Liz Reitell

  • NLW MS 24091D
  • File
  • 16 June 1953

A holograph letter, dated 16 June 1953, from Dylan Thomas, Boat House, Laugharne, to his lover Elizabeth (Liz) Reitell, New York, concerning various personal and work matters. It was written soon after Thomas's return to Wales from his American tour and he describes his flight to London and his stay there in the days after the Coronation.
The letter is published in Dylan Thomas, The Collected Letters New Edition, ed. by Paul Ferris (London, 2000), pp. 994-5. The original envelope is included (f. 2a).

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Dylan Thomas letters

  • NLW MS 24037D
  • File
  • [1936]-1950

A collection of six letters, [1936]-1950, from Dylan Thomas, comprising one letter to Caitlin Thomas, [6 September 1945], mainly concerning money, work and their living arrangements (f. 3), and three letters to his parents, D.J. and Florence Thomas, sent from Oxford, 12 January 1947 (ff. 4-9), from Florence, Italy (but giving as his address that of the family's next destination on Elba), 19 July 1947 (ff. 10-12), and from New York, 26 February 1950 (f. 13); together with typescript copies, possibly by Thomas, of two letters from him, dated 9 March 1936 and 13 July 1938, to Wyn Henderson (the presumed original letters are in the University of Texas at Austin, Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center Library) (ff. 1-2).
All the letters appear in Dylan Thomas, The Collected Letters: New Edition, ed. by Paul Ferris (London, 2000).

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Notes for his father's 'Elegy'

  • NLW MS 23992E.
  • File
  • 1953

One page of untitled holograph notes by Dylan Thomas, 1953, written whilst composing his last poem, the unfinished 'Elegy' to his father, David John (D.J.) Thomas, who died on 16 December 1952.
The work first appeared in print, as a 'previously unpublished poem', in Encounter, 6/2 (February 1956), and was included by Vernon Watkins as an appendix to the Collected Poems after 1956. For a copy of the poem as completed by Vernon Watkins, see NLW MS 22552E.

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Poems sent to Thomas Taig

  • NLW MS 23990D.
  • File
  • 1937-1939

Letter, dated 23 August 1939, from Dylan Thomas to Thomas Taig, enclosing a selection of poems intended 'for some kind of dramatic presentation' (f. 1). The writer encloses holograph fair copies of two of his poems: 'Find meat on bones that soon have none ...' (ff. 2-4) and 'Ears in the turrets hear ...' (ff. 5-6). He also encloses his own transcripts of George Woodcock's poem 'Landore' (f. 7), and Alan Pryce-Jones's 'Voyage' (ff. 8-9), together with three published issues of Keidrych Rhys's periodical Wales, 1937-8 (ff. 10-69), one of which bears Dylan's signature, and notes (f. 69 verso).
Thomas Taig was active in the Swansea Little Theatre, and intended to present poems by Welshmen writing in English at a London theatre at the end of September 1939; see further Dylan Thomas, The Collected Letters, ed. by Paul Ferris (London, 2000), pp. 438 and 452n.

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Dylan Thomas: Into her lying down head

A carbon copy typescript, [?1940], of the third verse of Dylan Thomas's poem 'Into her lying down head', with the final ten lines crossed through and completely re-written (as nine lines) in Thomas's hand, [1943x1946] (f. 17).
The typescript appears to match the text as originally published in Life and Letters To-day, 27 (November 1940), 124-126, and collected in Dylan Thomas, New Poems (Norfolk, Conn., 1943), pp. 2-4; the manuscript changes, with one exception, conform to those made before its publication in Dylan Thomas, Deaths and Entrances (London, 1946), pp. 20-22. A typescript summary of the poem's history, [late 20 cent], reproducing the original version of the third verse, is also included (f. 18).

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Dylan Thomas letter,

An autograph letter, 29 August 1949, from Dylan Thomas, The Boat House, Laugharne, to Colin Robinson of Isleworth, Middlesex, answering a series of questions mostly concerning the publication of his work (ff. 12-13).
The letter is apparently unpublished. The poet is replying to Robinson's typescript letter, dated 22 August 1949, a carbon copy of which is enclosed (f. 14).

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Dylan Thomas letter to Keidrych Rhys

A letter, 5 August [1939], from Dylan Thomas, at 'The Literary Village' [i.e. Laugharne], to Keidrych Rhys, editor of the literary periodical Wales. The writer is critical of the latest issue (Wales, 1.8/9 (August 1939)), and in particular of a story by S. G. Leonard, 'A labour of love' (pp. 235-238).
There are also references to Nigel Heseltine, Lynette Roberts and Glyn Jones. The letter is apparently unpublished.

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Acknowledgement letter from Dylan Thomas,

A letter, 30 December 1952, from Dylan Thomas, Laugharne, to A[lfred] Morgan of Barry, Glamorgan, acknowledging his letter of condolence on the death of Thomas's father [on 16 December 1952]. The poet's statement that his father 'died very peacefully', contrasts with the sentiments expressed in his villanelle 'Do not go gentle into that good night'. The letter is apparently unpublished.

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Dylan Thomas letter to Graham Greene

An autograph letter, [early January 1947], from Dylan Thomas, at Holywell Ford, Oxford, to Graham [Greene], concerning the potential publication of Thomas's film script 'The Doctor and the Devils'.
The letter was published in Dylan Thomas, The Collected Letters New Edition, ed. by Paul Ferris (London, 2000), p. 681.

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Dylan Thomas letter,

An autograph letter, 27 May 1951, from Dylan Thomas, the Boat House, Laugharne, to Ronald [Bottrall], poet and British Council representative in Rome, indicating his willingness to record a piece for the Italian radio station R.A.I. The letter is apparently unpublished.

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Dylan Thomas letter.

Autograph letter, 19 February 1945, from Dylan Thomas, New Quay, Cardiganshire, to N[ancy] R. Pearn of Pearn, Pollinger and Higham, his literary agents, agreeing to the broadcast of his poem 'In Memory of Ann Jones' [also known as 'After the Funeral'] on 26 February [1945].
The letter is apparently unpublished. The accompanying envelope has the phrase 'Miss Elizabeth Cree / Remember wee / Three' typed on the front (f. 10a).

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Personalia of Dylan Thomas,

Miscellaneous personal items belonging to Dylan Thomas, 1948-1953.
They include his used cheque book (item 1), three envelopes (items 5-7) and a betting memo (item 8), all with notes, mainly racing tips, by Thomas, [1953]; his final airline ticket, issued 29 September 1953 (item 2); his National Insurance cards for 1948-49 and 1949-50 (items 3-4); and photographs of a boy in a cub scout type uniform (item 10) and an unidentified woman (item 11). Also included is his red leather travel wallet (item 14), containing a brief note (item 12) and a bus ticket (item 13).

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Letters to Dylan Thomas,

Nineteen letters, notes and postcards to Dylan Thomas, 1952-1953, mainly concerning work, publications and his last trip to America (ff. 1-19), and copies of contracts, 1951-1953 (ff. 20-28).
The correspondents include John [Brinnin], September-[October] [1953], J[ohn] D[avenport], 23 June 1953, Francis Dillon, 22 September 1953, John Griffiths, 21 September 1953, David [Higham], 9 October 1952, Fred [Janes], [13] August 1953, Donald A. Kershaw, 16 June 1953, Arabel J. Porter, 28 September 1953, Liz Reitell, 4 June [1953], Ceri Richards, [?April] 1953, Amos Vogel, June-August 1953, Boris [Watson], [early 1953], and Oscar [Williams], 31 July 1953. There is also a note, 19 October 1953, from 'Evelyn', suggesting he contact the film director Edgar G. Ulmer (f. 5), and a note from Pearn, Pollinger & Higham to Caitlin Thomas, 30 June 1953 (f. 13). There are miscellaneous notes by Dylan Thomas on ff. 1 verso, 4 verso, 8 and 11 verso. The contracts relate to the proposed publications 'American Journal', 19 December 1951 (ff. 20-21), 'Welsh Fairy Tales and Legends', 23 February 1953 (ff. 22-24), and 'Under Milk Wood', 24 July 1953 (ff. 27-28), and to a recording session for Caedmon Publishers, 17 May 1953 (ff. 25-26). Also included is a bank statement, 22 June 1953 (f. 29), and his Temporary Entry Permit into the USA, 20 October 1953 (f. 30).

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Map of Llareggub,

A two-page schematic sketch map of Llareggub, [1944x1951], drawn in brown ink by Dylan Thomas during the process of composition of his play for voices, Under Milk Wood.
The general topography of the town largely corresponds to the finished play; the map shows features such as Llareggub Hill and Donkey Down, with the homes of various characters and other buildings being identified along Coronation Street, Cockle Street and Donkey Street. On the reverse is an earlier abortive attempt, identifying only Ogmore-Pritchard, Willy Nilly and the Town Hall. The obverse of the map is reproduced in Douglas Cleverdon, The Growth of Milk Wood (London, 1969), pp. 12-13; Dylan Thomas, Under Milk Wood: The definitive edition, ed. by Walford Davies and Ralph Maud (London, 1995), p. 64; and Dylan Thomas, Under Milk Wood: A play for voices, ed. by Walford Davies (London, 2000), p. 64.

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Dylan Thomas family letters

  • NLW MS 23932D.
  • File
  • 1951-1953

Three letters, 1951-1953, from Dylan Thomas and his parents to Dylan's cousin, Mai Griffiths of Cross Hands.
They consist of: a letter from Dylan, 16 December 1952, informing Mai of the death of his father that day (ff. 3-4; apparently unpublished); a letter from his father David John (Jack), 28 June 1951, sympathising with Mai on the recent loss of her husband and giving family news (ff. 1-2); and a letter from his mother Florence (Florrie), 4 May [1953], on the recent death of Florence's daughter Nancy (ff. 5-6).

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Dylan Thomas letter to Charles Fisher

Letter, 14 June 1939, from Dylan Thomas, Laugharne, to the poet and writer Charles Fisher, arranging to meet and referring to a new poem, his baby son, Llewelyn, and a forthcoming broadcast with Keidrych Rhys.
The letter was published in The Collected Letters of Dylan Thomas: New Edition, ed. by Paul Ferris (London, 2000), pp. 435-436.

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Dylan Thomas letter to Vernon Watkins

A facsimile copy, [1965x1985], of a letter, 15 July 1937, from Dylan Thomas, Mousehole, Cornwall, to Vernon Watkins, announcing his marriage to Caitlin Macnamara and apologising for altering a poem by Watkins prior to publication.
The original letter is now BL Add MS 52612, f. 5. It was first published in Dylan Thomas, Letters to Vernon Watkins, ed. by Vernon Watkins (London, 1957), pp. 27-28; see also The Collected Letters of Dylan Thomas: New Edition, ed. by Paul Ferris (London, 2000), p. 294.

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Dylan Thomas poems

  • NLW MS 23917D.
  • File
  • [1929]-[early 1940s]

A sample copy, [1929], of part of a projected printed book by Ezra Pound, to be called 'The Complete Works of Guido Cavalcanti', containing also four autograph poems and a prose fragment by Dylan Thomas, [1936]-[early 1940s], and two typescript poems by Vernon Watkins, [c. 1939]. Pound's book was intended for publication in 1929 but was abandoned, with only the first 56 pages printed, when the Aquila Press went bankrupt. The present volume appears to be a sample copy, of which two similar ones are recorded (see Donald Gallup, Ezra Pound: A Bibliography (Charlottesville, 1983), p. 153), consisting of the first two gatherings only (ff. 2-9) and filled out with blank leaves (ff. 10-74). The original Aquila Press fragments were later incorporated into the composite work Guido Cavalcanti Rime, ed. by Ezra Pound (Genoa, [1932]).
The Dylan Thomas poems are 'Then was my neophyte', [1936] (f. 11) (published in Twenty-five Poems (London, 1936), pp. 40-41), 'We lying by seasand', [1937x1939] (f. 74 verso) (first published in Poetry (Chicago), 49.4 (January 1937), 183, and collected in The Map of Love (London, 1939), p. 8), 'Paper and sticks', [early 1940s] (tipped in on f. 12) (first published in Seven, 6 (Autumn 1939), 6, and collected in Deaths and Entrances (London, 1946), p. 23), and 'Once below a time', [early 1940s] (tipped in on ff. 13-14) (first published in Life and Letters Today, 24.31 (March 1940), 274-275; see Collected Poems 1934-1952 (London, [1952]), pp. 132-133); the prose fragment (tipped in on f. 15) is the end of 'One Warm Saturday', [1938], the last story in Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog (London, 1940), pp. 253-254. The two Vernon Watkins poems, 'The windows', 1939, and 'A bronze head', [c. 1939], are apparently unpublished (tipped in on ff. 16-17). A dried leaf found loose within the volume has been placed in an archival sleeve.

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

Dylan Thomas letter,

An apparently unpublished letter, [Autumn 1937], from Dylan Thomas, Blashford, Hampshire, to Hermann Peschmann, poet and editor. Thomas discusses giving a poetry reading and asks Peschmann to forward a letter to the poet Anna Wickham.
For a subsequent letter to Peschmann, 21 November 1937, thanking him for forwarding the letter, see Dylan Thomas, The Collected Letters: New Edition, ed. by Paul Ferris (London, 2000), pp. 306-307.

Thomas, Dylan, 1914-1953

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