Bruce Humphries, Inc. responds to Toklas' complaints about statements for Geography and Plays.

Stein discusses translation rights for her new book [ Geography and Plays ]. Asks Edmund Brown to write to Sherwood Anderson and inform him when they need his preface to her book.

Stein approves of the changes in her book [ Geography and Plays ] and also is "pleased" with Sherwood Anderson's introduction. Stein would like better samples for the cloth of the binding of the book.

Stein is happy with the corrections of the book [ Geography and Plays ] but still has a few corrections to make. She mentions that the "errors are small but the correction of them is very important." Photographs of Stein by Man Ray may be useful for publicity.

Stein has completely corrected the proofs for [ Geography and Plays ]. Sends list (not included) of people to send advance notices of book. It is "very important" that these people receive advance notices before the book goes out on the market. Mentions sculptor Jo Davidson doing a bust of her, which will be good for publicity.

Stein discusses the type of lettering for the side paper and the shelf back for [ Geography and Plays ]. Her corrections are "novel and effective."

Stein discusses the details for distribution of Geography and Plays throughout the world.

Writing to the Four Seas Publishing Company because all her past publishers have been "men who while they may have increased my public have not dealt fairly with me." She will be honored to have Geography and Plays, her fifth book, published by Four Seas.

Stein is flattered that Brown read her manuscript for Geography and Plays and also flattered that he is interested in her method of writing. She writes: "My style has been a gradual development from The Three Lives written in 1905 through a series of studies and experiments for the freer and more profound feeling for words, studies which really take us back to the Elizabethans who also had the joy of discovering pleasure in words." Stein then provides ideas for the "manufacturing and marketing" of the book.

Stein is "very pleased" with the appearance of Geography and Plays. Sends two copies (not included) of Man Ray photographs.

Inquires about the sales and success of Geography and Plays. Asks that the statements be sent to her. Mentions the various photographs and articles, one by Miss Edna Kenton, that will aid in her publicity.

Further inquires about sales of Geography and Plays, and states that this information is crucial for her French income tax.

Discusses articles written about her in reference to Geography and Plays, including articles by Jane Burr, Mina Loy, and Max Bryde. Indicates that this will help in her new book which she is "busily working at."

Acknowledges reports of success of Geography and Plays, and would like royalty statements that she has yet to receive.

Requires that statement of sales be sent to her every three months. Curious as to why the general tone of the reviews of Geography and Plays has been changing, and notes how Mr. Menken includes Stein "among the list of the ten dullest authors."

Tells Edmund Brown that she is submitting "Miss Furr and Miss Skeene" into a collection of short stories edited by Miss Frances Newman. Also mentions reference to her work in "A Love Story" published in the September issue of Cosmopolitan. Asks that there is no delay in sending her the statement and cheque due February 1 and that five copies of Geography and Plays be sent to her.

Reiterates that there can be no delay in sending her the statements and that she should not have been charged for the five copies of Geography and Plays sent to her.

Mentions "very laudatory" article in the October issue of Vogue on Geography and Plays and the November issue of Punch devoted to Mina Loy's article. Asks that the October statement and cheque be sent immediately.

Tells Dr. Johnston that he figures in one of her pieces "An Indian Bay" published in "The Reviewer." Stationary includes "Rose is a rose is a rose" embossing. The issue of "The Reviewer" in question published in January, 1924.

Asks that more copies of Geography and Plays be distributed for sale. Interest in her book in England requires that the book be available for purchase.

Turns down invitation to attend the Authors' Congress in Washington, DC, but appreciates that her book will be in the book section of the Book Fair.

Stein writes that she gave Brown's proposition regarding The Making of Americans to Robert Mac Almon of the Contact Publishing Company, but he politely declined. Reiterates that the statement and cheque for Geography and Plays is long overdue.

Stein pleased that de Massot did a preface to her book. Mentions that the "chief occupation in the country the month of May" is "getting wet and getting dry again."

Thanks de Massot for the "little book" which she enjoyed.

Stein tells de Massot that it will be a pleasure to see him again some day. Stationary includes "Rose is a rose is a rose" embossing.

Stein hopes de Massot is not ill and invites him to tea Sunday. Stationary includes "Rose is a rose is a rose" embossing.

Looking forward to seeing de Massot in September when they are in the country.

Stein just received de Massot's preface and praises de Massot's writing, in particular his use of quotations: "I don't quite know what you do with them. They cease to [e]xist in your use of them and yet they are there as [position?]." Stein is "looking forward enormously to the Bulldog."

Invites de Massot to stay with them. Will be pleased if he translates Tender Buttons.

Invites de Massot over on Friday. It would please Stein if de Massot would do the "introduction." Stationary includes "Rose is a rose is a rose" embossing.

Stein just finished reading "Bull Dog" which deeply moved her. Stein writes: "Yours is the only beautiful writing of any one beside my own of anybody living." She is looking forward to seeing him again.

Stein is looking forward to seeing de Massot in September. Stein mentions that she is working on a translation that "has turned out interesting in many ways." Also wants to do something with the "three leaf clover."

Invites Sir Francis Rose to tea on Sunday. Stationary includes "Rose is a rose is a rose" embossing.

Wants accounts of the performance of the opera. Quotes from her Composition as Explanation: "...to make everybody see the beauty, and once they see the beauty they see nothing else, and so one does appreciate those who saw before they saw the beauty."

Has faith in Rose as a painter and tells him, "like all of us you have to live through a great deal."

Advises Rose to stick with the art dealer Pierre Colle who, although not completely interested in Rose's work, at least has them and will show them on request. Hints of the Spanish Revolution: "The Spanish revolution is xciting [sic] almost anything is xciting [sic]."

Tells Deurel that Charbot sent 10,000 francs which she will not cash without proper accounting. Stein will cash check from Fontaine. In French with English translation.

Explains that her two books, The Wars I Have Seen and Three Lives are arranged with Charbot. In French with English translation.

Having just returned to Paris, Stein fondly remembers [?], which they completely loved. Just met Colette and her new husband, and is surprised that he hasn't met them yet.

Thanks Mr. Potter for accommodating her in her lectures, which demands that there be an audience of only 500.

Stein is working very hard on the lectures she is to give at Columbia, although it would be "pleasanter if there were more of them given at one place."

Suggests a short visit in the country to see how he likes it, and for a longer stay later on. Tells him that the accommodations are simple: "no bath-rooms, no luxuries, but it is rather lovely..."

Stein suggests Rose keep painting and not worry about gallery politics, and describes at length the pleasure his pictures have given a local French family who saw them at her home.

Stein is angered because Rose wants to exchange a painting he gave to her for another, because a gallery would rather have Stein's. She refuses to exchange the picture. Even his asking to exchange a picture shows a "lack of courtesy" that is foreign to his nature. Ends letter by giving him some advice, "that everything you do should be something directly conceived, for good or for bad."

Offers advice regarding which galleries to show his paintings. Mentions two of his paintings: "the two old heads" and "the gray nude against the greenish background., the latter being inspired by the little statues he sent her.

In one continuous sentence, Stein relates information about Waldeman and the article he is writing, her difficult financial situation, and how they may "all be with bycicles [sic] sadly with bycicles [sic]."

Discusses the photographs of Miss Toklas [probably for the book The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas ], about which Stein is very pleased.

Worried something misfortunate happened to Rose. Invites Rose to visit them Saturday and he could return on Monday.

Advises Rose not to send more than three paintings to show, as they "will be gone for such a very long time." Suggests going to the "baths" in Aix in order to help his ailing arm. Mentions Basket and Bayun.

Wishes Rose a "nice Christmas" and a "happy new year." Thanks Rose for the drawings he gave them and looks forward to seeing him in the spring. Tells him that "Santa Clause was nice to Basket." Stationary includes "Rose is a rose is a rose" embossing.

Concerned about Basket's [eczema ?] while he is at the vet's, whom they telephone every day. Looking forward to seeing Rose soon, and that Basket will be happier and better by then.

Advises Rose to write to clear up the confusion regarding the galleries which want to show his paintings. Stein would like to see his new pictures but is concerned that they will not be properly crated for the return since there is no one she trusts who can do it properly.

Stein is worried about the health of Curley, Rose's dog. Mentions the painting "the little seven year old" which Stein thinks is very lovely.

Indicates that she will do something very important for Rose's future. She succeeded in getting the most important artist dealer in Paris interested in Rose's work who will plan a show with his landscapes. Stein promised to lend them "Belgium" and "the waterfall" for the show. However, Stein makes it clear that this dealer will not work with anyone but Rose in the transaction. Stein ends with "I think it's a big chance for you."

Stein enjoyed spending time with Rose, and each time they get to "know each other a little more." Tells Rose that there is a good view from St. Remy that would make a good landscape, "which is the nearest thing to a chinese landscape in miniature that xsits [sic] in Europe." Basket is feeling better.

Arrived in the country where village life is "very absorbing and lengthy and amusing." They hope to be done with their proofs before Rose's preliminary visit. Stein is looking forward to his two new pictures.

Critical response to one of Rose's paintings. Warns Rose that, although important for a painter to paint bad pictures, he should "beware of it becoming a habit." Tells him that he is no longer a young man and thus must decide his future.

Likes the "St. Remy" painting "as much as ever and believes in Rose as a painter. She is sure he will find a solution to his "present and [his] future difficulties."

Wondering if everything is going well with Rose and still as interested in him as ever.

Stein has found a buyer for one of his paintings, and mentions that she knows of someone who is painting in his manner: "it is not very beautiful but on the other hand not stupid." Hopes his dog is alright.

Praises Roses two new pictures which are as fine as he has ever done. Describes in detail how his use of light in the paintings. She concludes by saying that she believes in him and would have "hated most awfully to give up that belief."

A dealer told Stein it is a good idea to introduce his work to the American public. She also wants to change galleries which would "undoubtedly be better" for Rose's future.

Worried about Rose's dog, [Bayan], and wants him to dine with them on the 25th when he gets to Paris because they will be leaving on the 29th. Mentions how the cascade he did [at ?] "remains one of her favorite pictures." Stationary includes "A rose is a rose is a rose" embossing.

Stein just returned from a trip and on coming back "had a great deal of pleasure out of quite a number" of his pictures. Sorry that he has not been well.

Wants to know what is the matter with the post office where Rose lives because Abdy's letters have been returned and they intend on writing again. Stationary includes "A rose is a rose is a rose" embossing.

Stein is pleased with Rose's pictures and discusses his development, in particular with the "milk-pail" still life. Hoped to see his show in Chicago but unfortunately will arrive too late to see it.

Stein thanks Rose for the pictures.

Stein just finished Seabrook's book and is "perfectly happy with every page." Stein is "so happy" in all he says of her, and is hoping he visits her soon.

Stein mentions how she is happy to hear from Seabrook and that they have been wondering about him recently. She is happy to receive news and is very busy planting.

Stein thanks Thompson for the marked copy with the changes he has made. Will send a presentation copy to him instead. Folder includes ALS, 1934 November 20, from [Van]. to Mr. Woolley which includes the background of the Stein letter, a transcription, and some anecdotes about Stein.

Sorry that [the recipient] will not meet them, but hopefully later in Paris. Writes beneath her signature: "Born February 3 1874." Image on recto of postcard is of Stein with her dog, Basket.

Because of Axel's Castle, Toklas acknowledges that the work of Gertrude Stein is desired by the reading public. Consequently, it is a "favorable moment to secure orders for Lucy Church Amiable. "

Writes that Stein did not write a book about Ernest Hemingway, but that he was "one of the writers she discusses" in The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas.

Thanks Lingafelt for the "delicious white violets."

Stein is incensed that she has to keep reminding them for the statement check, which to Stein is "an inexcusable negligence." Stein wants to make it clear that "for the present and the future" she expects her checks on time.

Wants to help out by contributing to the Yale Literary Magazine 's number on Henri Matisse, but other than that his wife was very beautiful, there was not much more that she could contribute. But she will try to think of something soon.