Chester Page Collection
Abstract
Pianist and art connoisseur, Chester Page (1929-) was a close confidant to Modernist American author, Djuna Barnes (1892-1982) during the final decade of her life, as well as a friend to several other major literary figures such as Bryher (1894-1983) and Elizabeth Bishop (1911-1979). Barnes and Page shared a mutual friendship with the poet Marianne Moore (1887-1972). In the spring of 1970 Page wrote to Barnes to introduce himself and to offer his assistance. He was invited to tea at Barnes's apartment at 5 Patchin Place in New York City on 19 May 1970, and from that moment forward, enjoyed a close friendship with the author until her death. After Barnes's death on 18 June 1982, Page became an invaluable source of information on the reclusive author during her final days. He had managed a closeness which Barnes bestowed on a select few. The Chester Page Collection contains correspondence between Barnes and several friends and literary figures as well as one newspaper clipping. The collection spans the period 1933 to 1982. Correspondence with Louise Crane (1913-1997) dating between 1970 and 1973 constitutes the bulk of the collection.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
Processed
Chester Page Collection, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries
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This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
Pianist and art connoisseur, Chester Page (1929 - ) studied music at the Mannes School in New York City with Hans Neumann and Frank Sheridan and has performed in numerous broadcasts and recital venues including the Mannes School, the New School (also in New York City), and the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. Page was a close confidant to Modernist American author, Djuna Barnes (1892-1982) during the final decade of her life, as well as a friend to several other major literary figures such as Bryher (1894-1983) and Elizabeth Bishop (1911-1979). Barnes and Page also shared a mutual friendship with the poet Marianne Moore (1887-1972). In the spring of 1970, Page wrote to Barnes to introduce himself and to offer his assistance. He was invited to tea at Barnes's apartment at 5 Patchin Place in New York City on May 19, 1970, and from that moment forward, enjoyed a close friendship with the author until her death.
In a reminiscence of their relationship, published in Mary Lynn Broe's edition Silence and Power: A Reevaluation of Djuna Barnes, Page remembers how impressive Barnes was, even toward the end of her life.
Our friendship . . . became, to our mutual surprise, rather close. Among memorable outings together were a shopping trip to Altman's on Fifth Avenue, where she was an awe-inspiring figure with her cape and cane and regal posture; a nearly disastrous afternoon at an Ingmar Bergman film, two hours of unrelenting gloom, from which we were rescued by having tea at the Palm Court of the Plaza. There a violinist played melodies from the 1920s and 1930s and ladies in cloche hats appeared as if on cue. 'I never dreamed such things still existed,' said Miss Barnes. (Broe, 363)
When Barnes's vision began to fail due to cataracts, and she was unable to secure a satisfactory prognosis and treatment, Page suggested an eminent eye surgeon, who was able to restore much of her sight. After Barnes's death on June 18, 1982, Page became an invaluable source of information on the reclusive author during her final days. He had managed a closeness which Barnes bestowed on a select few.
To Page, "Djuna Barnes was incomparable. I consider all those afternoons spent with her in her gloomy little apartment, listening to her fabulous wit, or commiserating with her on the state of the world, feeling her affection and concern, one of the great privileges of my life." (Broe, 364)
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Chester Page Collection contains correspondence between Djuna Barnes and several friends and literary figures as well as one newspaper clipping. The collection spans the period 1933 to 1982. Correspondence with Louise Crane (1913-1997), dating between 1970 and 1973, constitutes the bulk of the collection.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
Chester Page donated the collection to the University of Maryland Libraries in November 2002.
Processing Information
Processed and guide completed by Jason Stieber, July 2003.
As donated in November 2002, the collection had no particular arrangement. During processing letters were arranged alphabetically by correspondent, and the clipping separated into its own series. Envelopes were retained and appear after their corresponding letter. While the clipping duplicates items in the Papers of Djuna Barnes, it was nevertheless retained and placed in a Mylar sleeve. All materials were placed in acid-free envelopes and housed in an acid-free box. None of the items contained metal staples or paper clips.
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Jennie A. Levine.
Arrangement of Collection
The collection is divided into two series.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Correspondence, 1933-1982 (29 Items)
The Chester Page Collection contains correspondence between Djuna Barnes and such individuals as Peggy Guggenheim (1898-1979), Anita Loos (1893-1981), Louise Crane, and Chester Page himself. Also included is a letter to Page from the poet W. H. Auden (1907-1973) regarding the disposition of Barnes's papers and her general well-being. Letters are arranged alphabetically by correspondent, and, where postmark dates are legible, envelopes have been matched to their original letters. Several envelopes in the Louise Crane correspondence file lack discernable postmarks. These have been placed after the dated material at the back of the folder.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auden, W.H., 1970 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Crane, Louise, 1970-1973, 1979, and undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Guggenheim, Peggy, 1958 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Hanfstaengl, Ernst "Putzi", 1969 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Loos, Anita, 1958 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| [MacDougall, Allan Ross], "Dougie", 1933 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Monteith, Charles, 1981 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Page, Chester, 1971, 1982 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
Series 2: Clipping, 1980 (1 Item)
This series contains one newspaper clipping about Barnes from the New York Times dated June 28 1980.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broyard, Anatole, "Aged Unconventionality" [review of Selected Works of Djuna Barnes] -- (New York Times), 28 June 1980 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
Related Material
The Papers of Djuna Barnes, of which this collection is a satellite, contain much information on the life and work of Barnes. They include correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, artwork, page proofs, and personal records as well as ephemera and clippings collected by Barnes.
In addition to the Papers of Djuna Barnes, the University of Maryland Libraries' literary manuscripts holdings include the Barnes Family Papers, the Papers of Saxon Barnes, the Papers of James Stern, the Papers of Phillip Herring, and the Irwin Cohen Collection. Important correspondence between Djuna Barnes and Emily Coleman (1899-1974) can also be found in the Emily Holmes Coleman Papers at the University of Delaware Library, in Newark, Delaware.
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.
Selected Search Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the University of Maryland Libraries' Catalog. Researchers desiring related materials about these topics, names, or places may search the Catalog using these headings.
Subjects
- Page, Chester, 1929- -- Correspondence
Names (Added Entries)
- Auden, W.H. (Wystan Hugh), 1907-1973
- Barnes, Djuna
- Crane, Louise, 1913-1997
- Guggenheim, Peggy, 1898-1979
- Loos, Anita, 1893-1981
- Page, Chester, 1929-