Manuscript/ Research Materials pertaining to D. Carrington, D. H. Lawrence, Frank Waters
Series
Scope and Content
From the Collection:
This collection consists of Dorothy Eugenie Brett's personal papers from 1939 to 1977, the time of her death. Letters received by John Manchester after Brett's death in 1977 often refer to Brett and have therefore been integrated.
John Manchester, himself a painter, had his first meeting with Dorothy Eugenie Brett during the summer of 1949 in Taos. After that he stayed in contact with her until he moved to Taos in 1963 having bought a house and becoming Brett's neighbor, friend and in later years, when her eyesight failed, her assistant and helper. It was in this capacity as friend and assistant that he collected Brett's correspondence, notes, diaries and photographs (Manchester's collection of Brett paintings went to the Roswell Museum and Art Center).
The letters written to Brett over three decades represent the core of the collection (Boxes 1-3). They are in alphabetical order, where the sender could be identified. For purposes of continuity a folder of letters by Brett (Box 3, Folder 34) and a folder of letters by Frank and Barbara Waters to primarily John Manchester (Box 3, Folder 16) have been integrated. Many letters from Brett's later life were addressed to John Manchester and Brett with the intent that John will read the letters to her since failing eyesight prevented her from reading or writing the letters herself.
Due to Brett's heritage and upbringing, part of her interest was the Victorian and Edwardian periods, in which her father had an influential position. Books related to that period are stored in Box 5 while reminiscences and notes can be found in Box 4.
The collection's value lies in the completeness of papers after 1940. Although this time period does not cover the exciting times in the Bloomsbury circle nor the time she spent with Frieda and D.H. Lawrence in Taos and Oaxaca, the papers still give a glimpse of that part of her life prior to 1940, especially in her diary (1923-1924) and through some of her notes and reminiscences. The bulk of the papers, however, represent a time when Brett experienced the ups and downs of an artist and follows her during her artistic peak into old age. Photographs have been transferred to Photoarchives.
The first addition to this collection was purchased in 1989, and processed in June 1997. The addition contains correspondence, mainly from Dorothy Brett to Mae Porter and Jean Harvey Porter, as well as manuscripts/essays written by Brett discussing why she paints Indians. There is also a folder with biographical information about Brett. Photographs from this addition have been transferred to Photoarchives.
A second addition was purchased in and processed in November 1998. This addition is comprised primarily of family correspondence, the majority of which is from Brett to her nephew Lionel and his wife, Pom in England. Much of this correspondence concerns Brett's finances and the status of her artwork, with interesting commentary on politics and Taos. Later correspondence concerns Brett's old age and includes letters from "friends" in Taos expressing their concern about John Manchester taking control of Brett's finances, and documents the family's response to these concerns. Photocopies of several legal documents such as Brett's will and probate of the will are included. Finally, there is correspondence regarding Sean Hignett's biography of Brett.
Processing of a third addition was completed in August 2000. This is addition contains approximately 8 boxes of materials, including Brett and Manchester's correspondence with people, publishers, and institutions, including R. C. Gorman, Georgia O'Keeffe, and other Taos personalities. Legal documents relate to both business and personal dealings of Brett and Manchester. Gallery and exhibit materials pertain to the Manchester Gallery, inventories of Brett paintings, as well as catalogues of exhibits featuring Brett or with artwork by Brett. News clippings and articles document events and personalities in Taos and/or of interest to Brett and Manchester. Manuscripts by and about Brett include short typescripts, longer works and fragments of longer works, such as "My Strange and Beautiful Journey," "My Long and Beautiful Journey," John Manchester's, "Biography of Dorothy E. Brett," and Sean Hignett's, "Brett, from Bloomsbury to New Mexico," among others. There is also correspondence and materials relating to the re-issue of Lawrence and Brett; A Friendship. Financial documents consist of bank and income tax statements. A section of materials relates to John Manchester and his other interests. These interests include architecture, Jung, and astrology. An oversized folder contains a variety of materials.
Audio recordings of Brett reading, speaking, and being interviewed were added to the collection in December 2002. Original reel to reel recordings are located in the CSWR vault.
John Manchester, himself a painter, had his first meeting with Dorothy Eugenie Brett during the summer of 1949 in Taos. After that he stayed in contact with her until he moved to Taos in 1963 having bought a house and becoming Brett's neighbor, friend and in later years, when her eyesight failed, her assistant and helper. It was in this capacity as friend and assistant that he collected Brett's correspondence, notes, diaries and photographs (Manchester's collection of Brett paintings went to the Roswell Museum and Art Center).
The letters written to Brett over three decades represent the core of the collection (Boxes 1-3). They are in alphabetical order, where the sender could be identified. For purposes of continuity a folder of letters by Brett (Box 3, Folder 34) and a folder of letters by Frank and Barbara Waters to primarily John Manchester (Box 3, Folder 16) have been integrated. Many letters from Brett's later life were addressed to John Manchester and Brett with the intent that John will read the letters to her since failing eyesight prevented her from reading or writing the letters herself.
Due to Brett's heritage and upbringing, part of her interest was the Victorian and Edwardian periods, in which her father had an influential position. Books related to that period are stored in Box 5 while reminiscences and notes can be found in Box 4.
The collection's value lies in the completeness of papers after 1940. Although this time period does not cover the exciting times in the Bloomsbury circle nor the time she spent with Frieda and D.H. Lawrence in Taos and Oaxaca, the papers still give a glimpse of that part of her life prior to 1940, especially in her diary (1923-1924) and through some of her notes and reminiscences. The bulk of the papers, however, represent a time when Brett experienced the ups and downs of an artist and follows her during her artistic peak into old age. Photographs have been transferred to Photoarchives.
The first addition to this collection was purchased in 1989, and processed in June 1997. The addition contains correspondence, mainly from Dorothy Brett to Mae Porter and Jean Harvey Porter, as well as manuscripts/essays written by Brett discussing why she paints Indians. There is also a folder with biographical information about Brett. Photographs from this addition have been transferred to Photoarchives.
A second addition was purchased in and processed in November 1998. This addition is comprised primarily of family correspondence, the majority of which is from Brett to her nephew Lionel and his wife, Pom in England. Much of this correspondence concerns Brett's finances and the status of her artwork, with interesting commentary on politics and Taos. Later correspondence concerns Brett's old age and includes letters from "friends" in Taos expressing their concern about John Manchester taking control of Brett's finances, and documents the family's response to these concerns. Photocopies of several legal documents such as Brett's will and probate of the will are included. Finally, there is correspondence regarding Sean Hignett's biography of Brett.
Processing of a third addition was completed in August 2000. This is addition contains approximately 8 boxes of materials, including Brett and Manchester's correspondence with people, publishers, and institutions, including R. C. Gorman, Georgia O'Keeffe, and other Taos personalities. Legal documents relate to both business and personal dealings of Brett and Manchester. Gallery and exhibit materials pertain to the Manchester Gallery, inventories of Brett paintings, as well as catalogues of exhibits featuring Brett or with artwork by Brett. News clippings and articles document events and personalities in Taos and/or of interest to Brett and Manchester. Manuscripts by and about Brett include short typescripts, longer works and fragments of longer works, such as "My Strange and Beautiful Journey," "My Long and Beautiful Journey," John Manchester's, "Biography of Dorothy E. Brett," and Sean Hignett's, "Brett, from Bloomsbury to New Mexico," among others. There is also correspondence and materials relating to the re-issue of Lawrence and Brett; A Friendship. Financial documents consist of bank and income tax statements. A section of materials relates to John Manchester and his other interests. These interests include architecture, Jung, and astrology. An oversized folder contains a variety of materials.
Audio recordings of Brett reading, speaking, and being interviewed were added to the collection in December 2002. Original reel to reel recordings are located in the CSWR vault.
Dates
- 1939-1986
Language of Materials
From the Collection:
English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 17 boxes (16.5 cu. ft.) + oversized folder
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu