Bragdon Annotated Correspondence, 1924

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1.   April 11, 1924

Frank G. Silvernail to Claude Bragdon
Addressed from:  489 Fairview Avenue, Orange, N.J.

 

 

  • This letter includes diagrams and an explanation of “magic squares.”  Silvernail has folded thirty-six possible patterns from the diagonal direction and “knight’s move” in the 5-square.  Silvernail includes a detailed explanation of squares he folded.


2.   April 21, 1924

Laurence Woodworth to Claude Bragdon
Addressed from:  Brothers of the Book, 1018-14 East Jackson Blvd, Chicago

  • Bragdon’s poem “The Golden Person in the Heart” appeared in a book published in 1898 by the Brothers of the Book.  In accordance with Bragdon’s request, the Brothers of the Book gives permission for Bragdon to use this poem in any book he may publish.


3.   April 22, 1924

Claude Bragdon to Kathleen Cunningham
Addressed from:  Claude Bragdon, the Shelton, Lexington Avenue at 49th Street, New York City

  • A note at the top of the page:  “Cyrano’s 170th performance tonight!”  Bragdon approves of the book plate Cunningham sent with her last letter.  Bragdon lunched with Mrs. Meredith Hare, who is in the [Gurdiceff]? School.  Bragdon is interested also in [Surami Yogananda]?.  While attending one of his meetings, Bragdon met Surami and was invited to visit with him at his hotel.  They spent time talking about Surami’s spiritual teacher.  Bragdon wrote the introduction to Louis Sullivan’s biography, which Sullivan approved just before he died.  Bragdon was also asked to write an obituary for Sullivan, which appeared in the Journal of the American Institute of Architects.


In an addition to this letter, dated April 23, 10 a.m., Bragdon tells Cunningham that he called on the Doctor Markses and met Mrs. Marks for the first time.  Bragdon had dinner with Perrine and Harry Barnhart, who just returned from a trip to Chicago.  Bragdon’s social life has taken the pattern of going to sleep early in the evening, getting up at midnight, and going out until two or three.

4.   May 9, 1924

Beatrix Reynolds to Claude Bragdon
Addressed from:  c/o Mrs. W.B. Palmer, 2170 Jefferson Ave., Detroit, Michigan

  • Reynolds writes to tell Bragdon of her experience with Oracle and Hamlet.  On her way to John Barrymore’s production of Hamlet, she read “Oracle” and was impressed by the messages concerning Hamlet and tried to find a deeper meaning in the play.  Reynolds determined the deeper meaning to be Hamlet as man with his father as the “Higher Self, killed by the uncle, the lower nature which then becomes wedded to the mother, emotional nature.”  Horatio is aspiration, Polonius is worldly wisdom, and Ophelia is illusion.  Laertes is personal pride.


5.   August 7, 1924

Claude Bragdon to Kathleen Cunningham

  • Bragdon had a good visit with Chandler.  He is thinking of collecting the essays that have been appearing in different periodicals over the years and publishing them under the title of “OLD LAMPS FOR NEW: The Ancient Wisdom in the Modern World.”  Bragdon is beginning work on Othello and mentions that Hampden’s Iago has been “imported from England.”  Bragdon hopes to make Othello very simple but very beautiful.  Unless Hampden plans to take Cyrano on the road, Othello will open on October 20, which does not give Bragdon much time.  The leading lady will be a Miss Sherwin, from England, who has had experience in Shakespeare.  Before starting Othello, Bragdon spent time with the [Wortheims] and likes all the family members, but their 15-year-old son “is a wonder.”  There was plenty to do and he enjoyed himself, but was glad to get back to his “monastery.” 


6.   December 17, 1924

Paul L. Stewart to Claude Bragdon
Addressed from:  3456 W. 135th St., Cleveland, Ohio

  • Stewart writes on Bragdon’s discussion of the Franklin Square in Projective Ornament.  He has been compelled to work out the line of the square in addition to its numerical properties and describes two methods for working out their lines.

 

FOOTNOTES—1924:

People:

 

  • Frank G. Silvernail (1)
  • Laurence C. Woodworth, Scrivener (2)
  • Mrs. Meredith Hare (3)
  • Louis Sullivan (3)
  • Dr. and Mrs. Marks (3)
  • Beatrix Reynolds (4)
  • John Barrymore (4)
  • Miss Sherwin (5)
  • [Wortheims] (5)
  • Paul [U.] L. Stewart (6)


Things:

  • [Gurdiceff]? School (3)
  • Franklin Square (6)
  • Projective Ornament (6)


 

 


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