[Rarebooks] FS: Sean O'Casey on Irish and Kansas Farmers

[Charles Agvent]

O'CASEY, Sean. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS). Torquay, Devon, 10 
September 1956. A two-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS) on both sides 
of a 7-3/4" x 9-1/2" blue aerogramme to Jo Young at the Kansas State 
Teachers College. In part: "I can't say that SHADOW OF A GUNMAN is my 
favorite play. You see, my favorite is always the last play written; & 
so THE BISHOP'S BONFIRE is my choice today, tho' it will be set aside 
for a new favorite when a new play has been written. THE S[HADOW] OF A 
GUNMAN was written many years ago. I don't know how I could make it 
understandable to the farmers of 'The Sunflower State.' It is just an 
effort to show in dramatic form the poorer peoples', the workers, 
reaction to the Irish fight for Independence against the British 
authority. They suffered a lot -- more than the combatants themselves; 
far more, in fact, and, naturally, they didn't like it; for they had to 
go on living, & to live, they had to work; & to keep working in the 
midst of gunfire wasn't easy." O'Casey goes on to talk about how he 
would change the play if he did it over again, musing on the nature of 
change, and mentions how he has recently been ill. "Of course I don't 
expect the Kansas farmers to understand me, or even to be interested, 
for they live their own lives -- very different from mine, &, probably, 
more important. Some time ago, THE PLOUGH & THE STARS was done in Kansas 
University, in K. City, Missouri. Interested or not in me, O'Casey sends 
his warm wishes to the Kansas farmers, & to all Kansas citizens." 
Addressed on the reverse by O'Casey, who adds his surname in the return 
address field. Creases from mailing, minor edgewear; otherwise close to 
Fine. (#019419)        $1,500.00

https://www.charlesagvent.com/pages/books/019419/sean-ocasey/autograph-letter-signed-als

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