Lot 192
Beckett, Samuel (1906-1989)
Autograph note signed, [1966]
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 07 February 2024 from 10:00 GMT
Description
‘Dear Mr Clift & Mr Turner, Thank you for the stout. I can’t see you now. Too much to do and too tired. Nothing to say about modern playwrights. Sorry, yours, Sam. Beckett’, in blue ink on single sheet (26.5 x 20.5cm), folded in envelope addressed in Beckett’s hand. A few splash-marks to letter, envelope stained from tape residue
Footnote
Provenance: ‘I was a student in 1966 and a friend and I hitchhiked to Paris with the intention of meeting one of our heroes, Samuel Beckett. By researching articles etc. in the university library, I was able to work out where Beckett was living then (Rue St Jacques) and we blagged our way into the building. Nobody answered our knocks on the door, so we left a bottle of Irish stout, with a request to see Beckett. We went back the next day and this note was sellotaped to the door. We laughed when we read it, accepted defeat and hitched back home again’ (owner’s recollection)