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a handwritten letter from the mayor of tokyo to his wifea handwritten letter from the mayor of tokyo to his wife
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250 - Frank Lloyd WRIGHT (1867–1959).
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Estimate €1,000 - €1,500
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Description
Frank Lloyd WRIGHT (1867–1959). 2 letters. ‘ Frank”, Tokyo and Kyoto, 9 and 11 June [1917], to his wife Miriam in Ikao; 1 folio page on The Imperial Hotel letterhead, and 2 folio pages on The Miyako Hotel letterhead, with envelopes; in English. Letters to his second wife whilst he was in Japan overseeing the construction of the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Tokyo, 9 June. He encloses letters for acquaintances, to whom he wishes to tell the truth, whilst trying to smooth things over as much as possible. He does not speak to her of his loneliness or his feelings: she knows what they are (“I will not write to you of my loneliness here nor of my feelings. You must know well what they are’). He sends her films, and if he goes to Yokohama tomorrow he will send her a box of truffles, knowing that she loves them… Kyoto, 11 June. ‘To the woman by my side’. He sends her gifts, which are less treacherous and less ambiguous than words (‘A few little presents instead of words – they are less treacherous and ambiguous’): gilded lacquer boxes, a few pieces of rare, antique brocade from the Keijo period, to be used as a turban, which will lend its beauty to enhance hers, as he imagines it crowning her hair with bronze and glorifying her beautiful face. There has never been, nor will there ever be, another like her (“to be used for a turban for ‘the woman’ in such a way as to yield its beauty to enhance hers without causing harm. I imagine it crowning her bronze hair and glorifying her lovely face. There was never, nor will there be, another like it”). He also sends her a box of antique hairpins from the Tokugawa period… He knows she’d prefer money, but he’s here to pay his bills, and he’s been careful not to give her any cash (a reference to Miriam’s morphine addiction). It’s very, very hot, but the Miyako is so much more pleasant in summer!… Nothing can express his regret at what he is and his shame at what he does. He thinks his talent has robbed him of himself, and it is good that he is finally face to face with himself. And it is when his desire is at its strongest that he is alone. It is when his money is gone that he needs it most (‘I feel that no words of mine can show my regret for what I am and shame for what I do. I suppose my talent has shielded me from myself all along. It is good that I have finally come face to face with myself unequivocally. And when my need is greatest, I am alone. When my money is gone, I need it most”)… Tonight he returns to his deserted room…
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About the sale Letters and Autograph Manuscripts – Part II
Auction location
Auction time 10/14/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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