[ George J. Firmage, literary critic. ] Folder of material relating to e. e. Cummings and his wife (christmas card from them, pamphlet by Holley Cantine inscribed by her, cuttings, offprint, photographs), with poem inscribed to him by Oscar Williams.

George James Firmage was born in New York; attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1947-48) and College of the City of New York (1949); BA, New York University, 1952; pursued graduate study, University of Massachusetts, 1952-54; publications supervisor in advertising and marketing services department, First National City Bank, New York, 1954; wrote several books, including E.E. Cummings: a Miscellany (1958) and E.E. Cummings: a Bibliography; editor of A Garland for Dylan Thomas (1963) and of E.E. Cummings' Three Plays and a Ballet (1967). A collection of his papers from 1957-1958, relating to his 'E.E. Cummings: a Miscellany' is at UCLA. All the items in the present collection are in good condition, with light signs of age and wear, and loosely inserted in the wallets of a black plastic Nyrex folder. ONE: Typed poem titled 'A Poem is for D. T.', signed 'Oscar Williams' and inscribed to George Firmage. Place not stated [ New York City? ]. Dated by Williams to April 1962. 1p., 8vo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper with two neat horizontal folds. The poem, which appears to be unpublished, is signed in type 'Oscar Williams', and consists of eighteen lines of free verse, each beginning 'A poem is'. It begins: 'A poem is catching yourself thinking | A poem is an ant on the nose of the Sphinx | A poem is a squadron of whales flying over Wales'. Ends: 'A poem is the rejoicing of the divinging rod | A poem is Delirium Tremendous | A poem is the poet'. Inscribed in blue ink at bottom right: 'for George Firmage | A Dylanian like myself | Oscar Williams | Apr 1962'. TWO: Christmas card to Firmage from Cummings and his wife. Bifolium, stamped on back of second leaf 'Painting by E. E. Cummings', and depicting a Christmas tree against a black background. Dated in manuscript (by Firmage?) to 1961, and signed by Marion Morehouse Cummings 'Merry Christmas | & | Happy New Year | Cummings & Marion'. Lightly aged and creased, with one small closed tear. THREE: Printed card announcing a 'Memorial Service for Marion Morehouse Cummings' at Jefferson Market Library, 11 June 1969. With autograph note by 'J. K' (who has also altered 'service' to 'gathering', with footnote 'to read Cummings' poems celebrating her'): 'Marion died May 18th (of cancer). She was always grateful for your devotion to Cummings' work.' FOUR: Pamphlet titled 'Second Chance | A story by Holley Cantine'. 'Copyright 1961 by Holley Cantine | Bearsville, New York'. [2] + 25pp. Stapled. Edition of 300 copies. Illustration on cover of man raising his hat. Inscribed by Marion Morehouse Cumming in pink ink 'Happy New Year | to George | from Marion & Cumming | 1961'. Cantine was editor, with Dachine Rainer, of the anarchist magazine 'Retort'. FIVE: Offprint of 'Freedom, Joy & Indignation: Letters from E. E. Cummings | Edited by Robert G. Tucker and David R. Clark'. From the Massachusetts Review, Spring 1963. 32pp., 8vo. Stapled pamphlet. Attractively printed in black and red. Regarding 'a half-hour taped radio programme which Mr. Cummings recorded in 1954 but which was not considered broadcastable at that time'. ('This recording was Program Seven in the series New England Anthology produced by the Literary Society of the University of Massachusetts for the National Association of Educational Broadcasters under a grant from the Educational Television and Radio Center.') Includes full-page facsimile of letter from Cummings, 1 May 1954, simply saying 'no' (in red ink) to William Hodapp's suggestion that he rerecord the reading omitting poems considered offensive. With Autograph Letter Signed ('Dave Clark') from co-author David R. Clark, stating the bibliographical details of the article and pamphlet, and informing Firmage that he will 'get a tape made' for him. 1p., 4to. SIX: Black and white prints of two photographs (front view and side view) of a bust of a young Cummings, both 23.5 x 19.5 cm. SEVEN: Printed press release for 'Homage to E. E. Cummings', 'Retrospective Exhibition | Paintings and Drawings | 1901-1958', at the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery, 2 December 1963. With printed card for different exhibition: 'Preview Reception | Cocktails | The Downtown Gallery | Monday, October 28'. EIGHT: Eighteen newspaper and magazine cuttings. These include thirteen obituaries (from New York Times; New York Herald Tribune; Villager; Washington Post; New York World-Telegram & Sun; Saturday Review; Newsweek; Time; Village Voice; Herald Tribune; New York Journal American; New York Daily News; New York Post), unattributed cuttings of two reviews of Cummings's posthumous '73 Poems' (the first by Charles Norman and the second by John Ciardi); an obituary of Marion Morehouse Cummings, New York Times, 19 May 1969; reviews of Cummings's 'Selected Letters' from the Times Literary Supplement, 17 November 1972, and by Anthony Powell ([from the Daily Telegraph], undated).